Roofing talent put to the test

By Emma Peterson. 

NFRC’s support of the future of roofing through the SkillBuild National Competition.  

National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has long been a supporter SkillBuild. This is a competition that sees roofing apprentices and trainees put their talent to the test in a head-to-head contest of skills, grit and determination. The event starts with regional qualifiers in training centres and colleges across the UK. 

This part of the 2026 competition is happening now, with the first regional qualifier having been held at Langley Training Services on 26 March 2026. Subsequent qualifiers will be held or have been held at Dundee & Angus College, Exeter College, Newcastle College, Leeds College of Building and Coleg Cambria. These competitions will host more than 1,100 competitors from 223 different organisations, whittling the competitors down to a remaining eight finalists! 

These finalists will go to the SkillBuild National Final, a three-day competition that tasks participants with completing a tiled section with arris hips and valley tiles, followed by a slated section with lead ridge and the addition of solar mounting brackets for an additional challenge. Finalists had a total of 18 hours to complete the task, meaning composure and determination is key. As NFRC’s Ben Rowlands explained:  

It’s never easy for the competitors to face each other in the finals. They’re not only up against one another, knowing the talent it takes to get there, but they’re up against the clock and their own nerves. Staying motivated, determined and composed is easy said, but when it’s all eyes on you, the pressure mounts quickly. 

As for scoring, every component of the project thoroughly inspected by expert judges. The workmanship is measured to the millimetre, and tiny variances will make all the difference in who takes the title home. 

Last year, the results of the 2025 final saw Samuel Jinks (Leeds College of Building), Levente Szasz (Leeds College of Building) and Mark Knight (SIMIAN) take the podium in gold, silver and bronze respectively. In addition to their medals, Master Alan Dodd of the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers presented each winner with a copy of The Design and Installation Guide for Roof Tiling: the perfect reference guide for these young roofers in their journey forward. 

NFRC is delighted to have played a key role in the 2025 event, which would not be possible without the generous sponsorship from its supplier members SIG Roofing, SR Timber and Glidevale Protect, and looks forward to continuing to support the SkillBuild competition this year! 

Original article and photo source: NFRC