NFRC’s guide to training

By Emma Peterson. 

Explore the learning opportunities available to roofing and cladding professionals across the U.K. 

Whether we're talking about a seasoned professional or someone at the beginning of their career, personal ongoing learning and development is key for maintaining and enhancing professional competence. Not only does it improve the standard of work performed in the roofing and cladding industry on a whole, but it also empowers individual tradespeople to take pride in their work, get higher pay and advance their career. 

But it can be hard for professionals who are busy with the of the day-to-day demands of working on and around roofs to find good training opportunities. This is why National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has built a map of training providers that offer courses across the U.K.  

Please note that these providers are listed for the informational purposes of those seeking training — NFRC does not endorse any particular provider and has not audited the quality of provision. 

London and Southern counties 

• Construction Industry Training board (CITB): Their direct training program is called the National Construction College and focuses on supporting apprenticeship roof training.  
• Eastern Region Roof Training Group: A Department of Education (DfE) main provider, this program delivers roofer standard apprenticeships across East Anglia and London. 
• Lead Sheet Training Academy (LSTA): Provides City and Guild accredited courses related to using lead or hard metal in the construction industry.   
• South Coast Roof Training Ltd: Provides training ranging from introductory courses to level 3 courses on slating, tiling, lead work, built-up felt and GRP.  
• M&J Group: Hosts a training centre and program in Beford that delivers a Level 2 Roofing qualification. 
• Langley: Offers a range of qualifications from apprenticeships to continuous professional development courses. 

Northwest England and North Wales  

• BMI Academy: Has free of cost training materials as well as systems-specific courses for both flat and pitched roofing.  
• North West Roof Training Group: This organisation works closely with apprenticeship and training providers to arrange training opportunities for individuals.  
• Simian: A nationally recognised training and consultancy provider with unique focuses of areas like scaffolding.  
• Langley: Offers a range of qualifications from apprenticeships to continuous professional development courses. 

Scotland 

• BMI Academy: Has free of cost training materials as well as systems-specific courses for both flat and pitched roofing. 
• Construction Industry Training board (CITB): Their direct training program is called the National Construction College and focuses on supporting apprenticeship roof training. 
• Edinburgh College: At both their Granton and Forthside Campuses, they offer a wide range of construction courses and pre-apprenticeship courses. 
• Langley: Offers a range of qualifications from apprenticeships to continuous professional development courses. 

Southwest England and South Wales 

• BMI Academy: Has free of cost training materials as well as systems-specific courses for both flat and pitched roofing. 
• The Centre Of Roofing Excellence (CoRE): A provider based in Hereford that offer specialist training across the roofing disciplines.  
• Greenlight Training: Provider of pitched and flat roofing apprenticeships with training centres based in Plymouth and Bristol.  
• South West Roofing Training Group: Training provider with dedicated professionals teaching RST Apprenticeships, lead welding and bossing, NVQs and UKATA asbestos.  
• Wales National Roofing Training Group: Connect Welsh companies with young people looking for training and employment in the roofing industry.  
• Langley: Offers a range of qualifications from apprenticeships to continuous professional development courses. 

Yorkshire and Northeast 

• Leeds College of Building: With around 5,500 students, this college combines classroom learning with hands-on work experience in the roofing industry.  
• Optimum Skills Limited: Works in partnership with roofing employers to create apprenticeship programmes. 
• Derwentside College: Provides apprenticeships in slating, tiling and waterproof membrane installing as well as offers a full-time course in construction.  
• Redcar and Cleveland College: Has a wide a wide range of courses from entry level through to level 3, adult courses, apprenticeships and HNC’s.  
• Langley: Offers a range of qualifications from apprenticeships to continuous professional development courses. 

Midlands  

• Construction Skills Midlands: A CITB Accredited Training Organisation (ATO) that provides construction training and qualification testing.  
• Juniper Training: Hosts study programmes and vocational pathways that enable 16-18 year-old students to build skills and prepare to enter apprenticeships.  
• Langley: Offers a range of qualifications from apprenticeships to continuous professional development courses. 

Northern Ireland 

• People 1st: A training organisation with 15 offices all dedicated to helping people, whether they’re students or adults, achieve their training and employment goals. 
• Langley: Offers a range of qualifications from apprenticeships to continuous professional development courses. 

Explore the full map of training courses available to NFRC members! If you need help finding a particular course, please fill out this form.