Wales’ first roofing apprenticeship pathway launches

Daniel Bevan - Editor

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Wales’ first dedicated roofing apprenticeship pathway, aiming to strengthen local skills provision, has launched at Bridgend College.

The pathway was formally launched during a visit by the Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, to the college’s Pencoed Campus.

The visit included a tour of the college’s Construction Academy and meetings with apprentices, employers and senior college leaders.

The new programme has been developed by Bridgend College in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors.

The new roofing course means Welsh apprentices will no longer need to travel to the Midlands for specialist training.

It is designed to support growing demand for skilled workers, particularly in response to decarbonisation retrofit projects and wider building programmes.

The Cabinet Secretary said: “I was delighted to visit Bridgend College and celebrate the launch of Wales’ first roofing apprenticeship pathway — a real milestone that means Welsh apprentices no longer have to travel to the Midlands for this specialist training.

“We have now exceeded our target of delivering 100,000 apprenticeship opportunities by the end of this Senedd term.

“That’s 100,000 chances for people to earn while they learn, and 100,000 opportunities for employers to grow the skilled workforce they need.

“I recently announced £98 million for the next round of our Optimised Retrofit Programme, which creates local jobs, strengthens low-carbon supply chains, and gives apprentices the chance to build their skills while improving homes in their own communities.”

Bridgend College currently supports almost 1,000 apprentices across multiple sectors, with construction forming a core part of its apprenticeship provision.

Denise Brookes-Cooze, Head of Work Based Learning at Bridgend College, said: “Apprenticeships connect learners and employers while delivering sustainable skills for communities across the region.

“Launching Wales’ first Roof Slating and Tiling Apprenticeship, in partnership with CITB, demonstrates how our industry-led provision supports learners, employers and the long-term sustainability of the construction sector.”