ROOFING FIRM'S £1M TRAINING PLAN

Nottingham Evening Post - 14 April 2009 - Page 16

By Richard Baker Business Correspondent

A Notts roofing firm is to set up a £1 million training facility for apprentices - after its own huge success in putting young roofers through their paces.

Work is about to start on The National Roofing College (East Midland Region) in Bulwell - the brainchild of Jason Wright of J Wright Roofing who says that the centre will boost jobs and help bridge the skills gap.

Jason came up with the idea after his firm's own apprenticeship scheme for roofers was such a triumph - having put 25 young apprentices through a training programme.

The new centre will take around 48 students a year from roofing companies across the region. Apprentices will be trained to NVQ2 level and will get on-the-job training.

J Wright has been taking on apprentices for nine years, valuing the importance of developing its own staff.

The scheme has been so successful it has decided to set up its own training facility and develop its own talent. There is no other training facility like it in the East Midlands, - the nearest is in Birmingham.

"Nottingham is crying out for a training facility like this, it is time there was a quality facility to cater for apprentices of the roofing trade in Nottingham and the surrounding areas," said Jason.

Rayner Davies Architects, also based in Nottingham, is working with J Wright on the new scheme. Jason said: "We are delighted that the scheme has got the go-ahead. This is a very exciting project and we can't wait for the facility to open - it will be a great centre for Nottingham."

Local MP  Graham Allen  has given 100% support to the project which will make a real difference for the young apprentices in the area.

Mr Allen said: "This is a really important scheme for the area. We are fully behind the idea and think it will provide an excellent opportunity for the young roofing apprentices in Bulwell, keeping the young talent right here in Nottinghamshire and helping to bridge the skills gap."

Both Basford Hall and West Notts College will be affiliated with the training centre, and West Notts College will provide the internal and external assessors.

Building is due to start in two weeks at the rear of the main site on Dabell Avenue and the college is to open in June.