THE NORTH WEST Roof Training Group (NWRTG) celebrated its achievements helping its 84 members during the year, at its Annual General Meeting on 14 December 2022.

Held at Sika’s Preston site, NWRTG members were given a guided tour of the factory explaining the Sika production process and saw training demonstrations, before gathering for the meeting which included presentations from Marley, QS Advisor, and CITB.

Members heard the benefits of solar PV from Connor Miller at Marley, who discussed the benefits for roofing businesses offering solar installations, followed by advice on good practice to signing subcontracts from Grant Tod, from QS Advisor/BStructured.

CITB’s David Rowlands was on hand to discuss CITB’s North West New Entrant Team which focuses on helping employers to gain new recruits through apprenticeships and funding.

CITB also explained Talentview Construction’s website where employers can look for apprentice candidates and candidates can find work experience, apprenticeships or jobs. The site also offers Leadership and Management short courses targeted at tradespeople who have progressed to leading a team or running their own business, for example, and don’t have the time to pursue a full qualification. Grants of £70 – £120 are provided.

Year of Training Success

At the AGM, the North West Roof Training Group announced that, after a long freeze, the annual grant from CITB for administering roof training groups will rise by £7,000 to £35,000.

Group Training Officer, Sue Wharton, thanked Sika, the day’s sponsor, and said NWRTG is “looking forward to working with Sika as not only are they providing upskilling but also NVQs”.

Sue also discussed the RoofCert scheme, reporting NWRTG had been informed of changes being made by the NFRC but it had no information what the changes were as of yet. Sue added, “we fully support an accreditation scheme but it must be fit for purpose.”

The training group finished by celebrating its successes of 2022. These included the opening of a new North West Simian training centre in Warrington which will offer both the NVQ2 in Slating/Tiling and the Waterproof Membrane Installer apprenticeship.

NWRTG also highlighted its work with the Liverpool City Council with funding from the DWP offering employers funded training placements in roof slating and tiling, and flat roofing for unemployed people.

NWRTG is an independent non-profit organisation with 84 members. The training group focuses on roofing specific training and upskilling across the North West, and has helped place apprentices at Bolton College, Preston College, Simian Warrington, and Skills Construction Centre, Kirkham.

>> Read more about the NWRTG in the news

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