Reflections on Roofing - n Challenging Stereotypes n Case Studies n Information and Next Steps - Roofing Today
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Reflections
on Roofing
n Challenging Stereotypes
n Case Studies
n Information and Next Steps
WOMEN IN ROOFING Directors
Livia Williams MBA FIoR Denise Cherry MIoR
Langley UK, Head of Learning & Development Co-founder and Director Women In Roofing
Co-founder and Director Women in Roofing Group Training Officer, Yorkshire Independent Roof Training Group
YouthBuild UK, Trustee Former Chairwoman of UK Roof Training Groups
Institute of Roofing, Former Vice-Chairman Former Board Member of Roofing Industry Alliance
Livia has over 19 years’ Livia has a wealth of Denise has over 20 years’ having a great impact on
experience working in the experience, knowledge and experience working in upskilling and qualifying the
Dr Claire Griffiths
construction industry. She has expertise in developing skills, construction, in both the public workforce, improving Editor at Roofing Today
held several high-level, career and training and private sectors. She has employability, apprenticeships,
strategic business and programmes which support held several highly strategic and helping firms to reap the
employers with inclusive roles in the roofing industry and tangible benefits of a diverse
charitable roles which have
allowed her to have a
significant impact in shaping
recruitment practices. She has
led on several national, multi-
her work has focused on
inspiring, educating and
and inclusive workforce.
As a Training Officer, Denise
Foreword www.roofingtoday.co.uk
million pound projects
the diversity, fairness and skills supporting a range of people assists over 100 companies
supporting roofing contractors
agenda in the roofing sector as to access training and from a variety of backgrounds with training and development
well as promoting collaboration qualifications and school into work and careers. With her activities, delivering training
valuable expertise on funding worth almost £350,000 over 2
T
in its supply chain and across students to access information
Denise led several projects, years. he UK roofing sector has their own businesses – on mixture of office-based work diverse people there are in the
other construction sectors. and apprenticeships.
a lot to offer anyone average about seven years and site visits. sector. That’s because there are
Email: l.williams@langley.co.uk, mobile: 07931 708 038 Email: Denise@yirtg.org.uk, mobile:07971 232 645 thinking about a career in after they finish their training – too few for the Office for
construction. The Construction and then the sky’s the limit! Of course, many of the people National Statistics to measure –
Industry Training Board There are many very carrying out these roles have less than 2% of the total
recently published research successful, thriving roofing also worked on the tools. But, workforce, which is even less
into how many roofing businesses across the UK, again, there’s a huge variety of than the 11% across the
personnel there are in the from the busy sole trader, to roofing disciplines and you can construction industry generally.
sector and how many extra large, national contractors plan to specialise in one or
recruits will be needed. The employing hundreds of people. several of them. That’s not to say there are no
Construction Skills Network women or ethnically diverse
I hope, then, it’s obvious that You might find that you develop people working in roofing. The
report for 2018-2022 found that
there are many opportunities an interest in heritage roofing, sector is changing along with the
there are almost 46,000 roofing
operatives currently in the for employment and significant learning historical rest of society. Diversity,
earnings in UK roofing. But, craftsmanship and inclusion and equality are
sector and that over the next 5
years an extra 590 people will what’s it like to work in the UK conservation skills. Perhaps already familiar principles in the
roofing sector? you have a passion for the sector, not least with the
need to be brought into the
environment and would want to founding of Women in Roofing in
industry each year just to keep
Firstly, you don’t necessarily become a specialist in
Lynn Street Kate Whatley pace with demand. 2015, which has done much to
have to work on a roof - ‘on the sustainability and renewables, raise awareness and promote
Sales and Marketing Manager at Midland Lead Ltd Director of SPV Group Ltd tools’ - there are many jobs in such as solar roofing or green these values.
That there is a need for more
BA Hons Degree in Business Management & NEBOSH skilled and qualified roofers roofing that will never involve or blue roofs. Or you might find
Director of Women in Roofing
Director of Women in Roofing then is clear. But what sort of setting foot on a ladder! A quick that there’s strong regional And that’s why this booklet has
rewards can you expect if you look on LinkedIn will show you demand in your area for slate been produced; to inspire and
Vice Chair of the Institute of Roofing, Midlands Region
decide on a career in roofing? that jobs in roofing companies roofing or clay, or commercial encourage everyone with an
Lynn has been in the roofing Experienced in sales and Kate Whatley is a founder of the Kate is very passionate about
industry for over 20 years. business development Lynn is SPV Group Ltd, specialists in
range from specifying, metal roofing, or flat single-ply interest in roofing as a career, no
her job and has held nearly Well, another study found that estimating, purchasing, matter what their background is.
Working for both roofing also skilled in negotiation, roofing, cladding and building roofs. There really is a hugely
every role in the business, a roofer under 25 years old can invoicing, organising work The people featured in this
manufacturers and budgeting, business planning, refurbishment. She is exciting array of different
learning from some inspiring expect to earn around £592 a calendars, the workforce and booklet show that there are no
distributors, she has and customer relationship commercial director, holding specialities!
individuals, and enjoying a training - through to barriers to becoming part of the
experience with all aspects of management. She is a strong overall responsibility for all week. While a more
rewarding and interesting
the roofing supply chain from marketing professional and administrative and financial experienced roofer of 34-49 management, customer Yet, there’s no two ways about sector. In fact, there are plenty of
career. SPV has been
specification, manufacturing, graduated from the University aspects of the business, as well years old earns an average relationships, quality control, it – UK roofing is a white, male- people who will support you,
shortlisted and won several
contracting and supply. of Derby. as sales, marketing, community salary of around £42,000. Of marketing, bids and tender dominated sector. There are no help you and cheer you on! All
industry awards.
liaison and business course, many trained and writing, and business official statistics about how you have to do is take the next
development. qualified roofers go on to start development. Most include a many women or ethnically step.
Email:lynns@midlandlead.co.uk, mobile:07805 289591 Email: kate@spv-uk.co.uk, mobile: 07967 471 306
Abbie glover
Apprentice at the Roofing corporation limited
W
ith a keen interest
in sport, Abbie
Glover loves being
active and outdoors and so,
she says, roofing is a perfect fit
“Ibeing
for her.
studying for a level 2 NVQ in by providing PPE, flat roofing and heritage roofs. But to me, was put off by it
Abbie, who is 19 years-old, Roof Slating and Tiling. The tools and short training courses it’s all really interesting and a group of
“To me, it’s all originally had a job in retail
when her friend told her about
NVQ involves 20 weeks of
training in college over 2 years.
On the job training I’m enjoying it and working
for Chris Miller, who is so lads at first. But
really interesting a roofing apprenticeship Travelling to Leeds on her Apart from the days she will knowledgeable, is great. I they soon involved
and I’m enjoying vacancy that had come up in training days will be a long and spend at college, Abbie’s on- feel like I’m in the right place
me in what they
the-job training has often been
it. I feel like I’m in the contractors that she costly slog for Abbie , being a
by pairing with third year
to learn all I can.”
were doing and
worked for in the office. Abbie 150 mile round trip. “It would be
the right place to was really enthusiastic about easier if more colleges offered apprentices, Joe Turner and
Abbie says she’s had lots of
now I think they HOW TO FIND OUT
learn all I can.”
comments from family and
the opportunity, but wanted to roofing and I could go to one Jae Osborne, who are showing
friends about her choice of prefer working MORE ABOUT
find out more. She tried out two her the ropes. A typical day
nearer where I live”, says career: “Most young girls ROOFING
taster days in roof slating and Abbie, but fortunately, her starts at 7am in the yard where
don’t think about roofing. I
with a girl as part APPRENTICESHIPS
tiling at Leeds College of training is sponsored by Abbie helps to load up the truck
with materials for the job
think if they did, there would of the team.”
Building (LCB) to learn more manufacturers, Langley be plenty who wanted to
about the skills and training Waterproofing Systems Ltd they’re working on. She takes a n Go online at
apply. Schools should do
that would be needed, and the who are keen to see Abbie lunch break on site and finishes www.citb.co.uk/bconstructive/
more to tell girls about
job prospects in the longer by 4.30pm. If it’s raining,
succeed as a female roofer. careers in the trades and think they prefer working with “It’s worth it though,” says n Contact your local
term. snowing or too windy to work
construction generally.” a girl as part of the team. I’ve Abbie. “I’m looking forward to construction college
Abbie is the first woman on a roof, Abbie will be taught
“Roofing is such a different apprentice we’ve sponsored,” new skills in the company’s Without much information or proved I’m just as strong as learning more at LCB and n Do a college
environment to retail! It’s explains Mark Dunn Head of workshop, such as slate encouragement, Abbie them and can carry as many being able to tackle more on apprenticeship
outside and feels like there’s Training at Langley. “We want cutting. admits she was a little tiles as them, so there’s no my own without being shown. taster day
more freedom. Everyone’s to help females along the way unnerved to begin with by the problem there. The hardest I’m also looking forward to the
friendly and there’s no “It’s hardest learning about all n Do some work
and keep them interested and prospect of working in such a part is keeping warm and
the different types of roofing summer when it’s a bit experience with a
bickering!” says Abbie. engaged. We don’t want them male-dominated industry: “I coping with the weather. I
The Roofing Corporation do”, warmer to be working local roofing
to leave the industry for lack of was put off by it being a wear lots of layers! Also, I’m
Taken on as a first-year says Abbie. “It’s not just slating outdoors. I might even get a contractor
support”, he adds. group of lads at first. But they really tired at the end of the
apprentice at The Roofing and tiling, it’s also flat roofing: suntan!” she adds.
Corporation Ltd in Swallow, soon involved me in what day. I don’t go out now after
Langley is supporting Abbie GRP (fibreglass), and
Lincolnshire, Abbie starts at they were doing and now I work in the week.”
and her employer, which is a Reinforced Bituminous
LCB in September 2018, Langley approved contractor, membrane (RBM), lead work
simeone Johnson
owner of sJ Roofing and Maintenance
A
ll roofers have to get
used to working at
height. Even contractors
mostly working on houses
going, although I don’t like Simeone’s inspiration is the
“You definitely usually work two or three
storeys high. But for Simeone
fleetingly mentions the tough
start he had in life, which left
sure you do a great job? It’s
loads better having your own sweating in the summer doing roofer Matthew Timby of Timby
need a head for Johnson, owner of SJ Roofing him fending for himself at the business! I feel free and don’t heavy work, I prefer the cold”,
says Simeone.
“ I thought there’s no Traditional Roofing who has
specialised in heritage roofing
and Maintenance in North Sea- age of just 15 years-old. He
heights... facing Scarborough, accessing was forced to leave school in
have to rush jobs,” he adds. reason I can’t run a and created many unique and
On the plus side, all those
sometimes you the town’s exposed three-, four- order to earn a living and got a
Simeone knew that getting
sunrises and sunsets are
roofing business too imaginative designs in slate
have real , or even five-storey properties
is a regular occurrence.
job labouring for roofer, Andy
Weir. “The wages were just £10
qualifications would help his
progress and saved to pay for beautiful to see, Simeone says.
He also enjoys the diversity of
and do it better! ” and lead. Simeone’s
enthusiasm for this kind of work HOW TO START
problems getting a day when I started and it was
his training. Already very
people he meets in his job,
is obvious when he describes YOUR OWN
access.”
“You definitely need a head for experienced, he completed the
really physical work,” says his current job, restoring a long BUSINESS
heights working in Onsite Assessment and working outdoors and the fact
Simeone. “But I learnt a lot that his job keeps him fit. Now, with his own roofing lead box gutter on a 17th
Scarborough!” jokes Simeone. Training (OSAT) route to gain a
from Andy, it was good business, Simeone has plenty century, grade II listed,
“Sometimes, you have real level 2 NVQ in Roof Slating and But he knows roofing is not n Gain plenty of work
experience.” of work mostly through word-of- Georgian home in
problems getting access. It’s a Tiling, as well as specialist lead always easy for young people experience
mouth recommendations in Scarborough’s Old Town.
case of not losing your nerve After a decade of labouring, work training through the to get into: “I feel roofing is Scarborough, and regularly n Get qualifications and
and working out the safest way Simeone decided he wanted to Yorkshire Independent Roof overlooked as a trade in “You don’t know what you’re
works weekends to keep up training
to do the job without it costing take work on for himself. “I Training Group, which construction. More promotion going to find with these old
with demand. “I’m happy to get
the client a fortune”, he adds. always had a plan of what I organised funding. should be done, it’s not offered buildings”, Simeone recounts, n Build up your
enough work and maybe
Looking at the town’s wanted to do”, he explains, “I in the same way as other “when we stripped back the old, contacts
Even owning his own business, employ a few more people as I
architecture of Victorian gothic- didn’t feel like the companies I trades. It can be hard to find leaking gutter much of the
it’s still hard work – Simeone get older,” says Simeon, who n Have a long-term plan
style turrets, dizzyingly high worked for always cared about out about and there’s not a lot brickwork and timber needed
describes his average working currently has one employee.
slate roofs and attic eyries customers or outcomes. I of information available. People replacing too. It can be hard n Talk to your bank
day as starting at sunrise and “But, I’d like to take on more
perched precariously on thought there’s no reason I
finishing at sunset – long days don’t realise how much goes specialist, bespoke work too. I telling clients they’ll have to pay
Scarborough Bay’s steep cliff can’t run a roofing business too for the extra work, but once it’s n Get advice
in the summer, but they’re into a roof. It’s a very skilled job want to do the level 3 training www.gov.uk/browse/business
sides, Simeone is probably and do it better! completed that lead work will
necessary to make up for the that you need to train for, but at Leeds College of Building
downplaying the issue. last for years to come, and
“Customer satisfaction is short winter days and times of unless you come into it through and take on more conservation
And that seems characteristic important to me. It’s hard work bad weather when work is a family business, it can be work. I really enjoy my job, but I that’s good to know: my work
of this self-effacing, modest anyway, so why not put in that impossible. “You acclimatise to hard to know how to get your love doing the more will probably still be there in a
man. Simeone, 30, only bit more extra effort and make the cold and heat. You keep first job and training.” challenging and creative work.” hundred years’ time!”
her into roofing. She’s been and sheer gumption that
into her children’s school to Lauren possesses that has
explain what the role of a roofer helped her: “I was going to ask
entails, and encourages the around before I did this
girls, as much as the boys, to
interview; you know, survey
consider it as a career. From
what other people think of me
Lauren’s point of view, it is the
lack of visibility that holds girls as a woman in roofing”, she
back from going into roofing. “I says. “But then I thought,
think roofing needs to be what’s the point? I don’t care
advertised as an what they think. I love roofing
apprenticeship option much and I want to stay in it!”
lauren Pollitt
Roofer at Wythenshawe community Housing group
L
auren Pollitt is a member
of that elite, but rare
group of women of who
are fully qualified roofers,
working on the tools.
Part of a dedicated team of six
roofers (one of three teams) at
Wythenshawe Community
Housing Group (WCHG),
Lauren spends her working
days re-roofing domestic
organised training from the quite competitive! I can knock was dropping off a load of
properties as part of a 20 year
Yorkshire Independent Roof in a nail in one hit, just like materials. She went to help
“I had to prove programme using mainly
Redland’s Mockbond and mini
Training Group and the Roofing
Industry Alliance, to fast track
them; I can carry as many tiles
as them. I work hard,” she
unload them until the driver
stopped her, saying she
“ They think I’m the
cool mum - the
myself – but it’s Stonewold concrete tiles.
her roof training through the adds. couldn’t do it because she’s a little boys think
no different for a So what has inspired this 28- OSAT route, which meant she
”
girl. “You have to be tough
year-old woman to become a was taught and assessed You’re that girl we see sometimes”, Lauren says. “I
I’m indestructible!
man, you still have roofer? onsite by a qualified assessor. on the roof told him, this is my job and
to do that.” “I actually started in the office Lauren’s acceptance as part of you’re not stopping me doing it.
school not long ago and they more. I wasn’t aware that there
“Now, they are a big part of why
I just got on with it.”
as an admin assistant in the an otherwise all-male team I love the job. Working in got lots of comments from their was a skill shortage, or how to HOW TO BECOME A
Human Resources department hasn’t all been plain sailing: teams, they get me through the schoolmates. The little boys
at Wythenshawe Community “When I first started the lads
“You get lots of comments in go about finding a company ROOFER
day, they make each day summer, when you’re not think I’m indestructible!” that would take me on as an
Housing Group”, explains thought I must be a plant. It different. When you’re tired at hidden by all of your kit. People “For them, it is quite hard. As apprentice.”
Lauren. “Then a job vacancy wasn’t just that I am a woman, the end of the day, you’re drive past and slow down to n Get trained and
came up for a roofer’s labourer. but that I’d started in Human roofers we do condensed days, “Another problem for women in qualified
freezing, your fingers are stare at me. They come out of
I loved the idea of working Resources – they thought it starting at 7.30am working until roofing is the workwear; it’s all
numb, they keep you going,. the houses we’re working on
outdoors and being active. I’ve must be like in Undercover 5pm, Monday to Thursday. The designed for bigger men. It’s n Look for job
I’m accepted now and get sometimes and ask me about
always been into sports and I Bosses where you’re sent to school’s breakfast club doesn’t really important to have kit, vacancies online
asked down the pub with them my job. Even at the weekend I open until 7.30am so it means I
like to keep fit so I decided to spy on the workers!” says at the end of the week. We such as gloves, that fit properly
get people coming up to me have to start half an hour later to do the job,” Lauren says.
n Look at roofing
apply and give it a go.” Lauren. have a laugh. I give as much saying ‘you’re that girl we see every day. I make the time up contractors’ websites
Lauren was successfully “I had to prove myself – but it’s banter back as I get, but I’m on the roof’.” with an extra day a month, but “Yet I know more women would
appointed to a 6 month contract no different for a man, you still pretty easy-going, we talk do really well and succeed in n Send your CV to local
still the girls are up and out
as a labourer, which was then have to do that. The first day I about all sorts. They confide in But perhaps attitudes are roofing and love it,” Lauren roofing firms
early. I think the sacrifice is
extended to 12 months. Lauren joined the team I was put on me, share their secrets and I changing in the younger adds. “Most women like to keep
worth it though. It teaches them n Tell contacts, friends
said “On my second day on picking up nails into a bucket, give them relationship advice!” generations. For Lauren’s two in shape - roofing offers a very
a good work ethic, they see me and family you’re
site, the site supervisor took me the second day I was setting up Lauren says. children, who are 8 and 10 healthy lifestyle – you end up
working hard and getting on,” looking for a roofing
aside and demonstrated some the ladders. It wasn’t until the years old, the fact that their doing more than your 15,000
Lauren might now be accepted says Lauren, who is now job
leadwork he was doing. That third day I was allowed on the mum is often recognised on a steps a day!”
by the team, but she still has to aspiring to promotion as a
was it, I was hooked!” tools,” Lauren recalls. “They local roof is a source of pride.
deal with the attitudes of the qualified roofer with WCHG. Like many women breaking into
were shocked that I could climb wider industry. She recounts “They think I’m the cool mum,”
After being offered a Lauren says. “I was working on Lauren’s unsure whether either male-dominated industries, it is
a ladder as fast as them – I’m the time when a delivery driver
permanent job, Lauren the same road as their primary of her daughters would follow the enthusiasm, determination
lucy Hill
Managing Director at R l lovatt limited
W
hat strikes you about
the managing director
of roofing business, R
L Lovatt Ltd, when you first
meet, is her energy and
vibrancy. Lucy Hill has a no-
nonsense, get-things-done air
about her, notwithstanding that
she had a baby only five weeks
before our interview. further. Lovatt’s has been “Generally, the new business charge. We’re also hoping to
passed down four generations. we have won has been extend the services we offer for
“The men assume
And that’s a first impression
that Lucy, 28, has had reason
I knew I could take it to the next
level and business is now
because we can offer the whole
package. A letting agent or
R&M work to a 24 hour call out
service so that we can respond
“If I could say
to develop in the last 4 years, anything to girls at
you know very as the head of the Bury-based
booming.” school a will usually have a mix quickly when it’s needed.”
of roof types and they want a school, it would be
little about roofing firm. Overseeing a Since October 2014, when That’s all meant learning a lot
workforce of 70 roofers, dealing there was a change of
roofing company that can repair
about new areas of work for don’t presume that
roofing. As time with roofing contracts valued in shareholders and Lucy became
or re-roof them all to a high
standard.”
Lucy, areas that she wishes just because it’s a
goes on, they the millions, Lucy has had to managing director, the she’d been able to gain some since 1885, passed through the
earn the respect of her work business has not only doubled It’s not only spotting new male-dominated RUNNING YOUR
realise they insight into at school: “I’d like to generations of my husband’s
colleagues: “It’s been the its workforce, but also doubled opportunities for the business have learnt more about how job, that you can’t family. I was determined that OWN BUSINESS
shouldn’t hardest part of being a woman its turnover. Lovatt’s has taken that takes up Lucy’s time. Her businesses function at school.
in a male-dominated industry”, on many apprentices, three of be successful; you the opportunity would be there
underestimate working day can include It would have been great to
can!”
them this year. Under Lucy’s for my children if they wanted it n Look for role models
me.”
Lucy explains. “The men completing PQQs for tenders, have learned more about how
leadership, the business has when they grew up.” And both that will inspire and
assume you know very little buying in materials and the construction industry works children, now adults, are possibly mentor you
about roofing. As time goes on, also extended its range of negotiating prices, doing and the exciting opportunities
roofing skills, from originally indeed part of the thriving St
they realise they shouldn’t accounts, wages, planning the available, not just for boys, but n Believe in your own
offering mainly pitched roofing, Swindells. Sheila took over W. Helens’ business. Meeting
underestimate me.” company’s calendar of work for girls. “ success!
to now being qualified as Swindells & Son when her Sheila a few years ago on a
and allocating staff, developing
Lucy found her way into roofing approved contractors for Protan “If I could say anything to girls husband William died in 1983. Marley Eternit trip, Lucy was
and organising training, n Learn all you can
through accountancy. After A- membranes on flat and green at school, it would be don’t impressed by the sheer
including looking after the Up until that point, Sheila had about every role in
levels she trained to level 3 in roofs, for Polyroof in liquid presume that just because it’s a been a housewife looking after determination Sheila
accountancy and then was
apprentices and making sure your business
applied roofing and undertaking male-dominated job, that you possessed to continue the
they are progressing. their two children, Diane and
faced with a decision. Should new build and repair and can’t be successful; you can!” business and make it succeed. n Build your customer
John who were 8 and 10 years
she pursue a career in maintenance contracts for Along with all that, Lucy is base and contacts
accountancy or join the family schools, housing associations, planning for the future too. “We It’s often said that role models old at the time. With the help of And now Lucy has a similar
roofing firm? Lucy had always letting agents and local currently do a lot of new build for people in industries where her loyal staff, Sheila learnt the motivation, to ensure that RL n Find out about how
helped her Mum in the office councils. Boosting the skill set work,” says Lucy, “and this area they are under-represented are trade, keeping the finances on Lovatt’s continues to grow and the industry works
and enjoyed it, so eventually of the business means that of work is booming at the really important. For Lucy, she track and making sure the work prosper and possibly be
decided to commit to the family Lucy can now increase the moment, So, from next year, looks to another managing was done. “I did it for my passed on, in time, to her baby
business. “I just knew I could number of tender opportunities I’m setting up a dedicated new director of a North West-based children,” says Sheila. “The daughter, the fifth generation of
push the business a step the company can bid for. build section, with a manager in roofing business, Sheila company had been in existence her family.
spent three months labouring: some provided by the roof
“I’d rather do something trade associations to broaden
outdoors,” says Chloe. “It is her experience.
physically demanding, but I just Just as Vicki intends to take the
get stuck in. I don’t want the reins of the business from her
lads to not want to work with father, Chloe has been
me, so I make sure to do my shadowing the company’s
bit. Thankfully we use hoists on current supervisor, and sees
the bigger jobs anyway, so I her future in a similar role.
don’t think not being as strong Between them, Vicki and Chloe
as the men is an issue,” she look set to prove a formidable
adds. sister act indeed.
Vicki Wilkinson &
chloe guy
Director and apprentice at templar Roofing ltd
S
isters, Vicki Wilkinson
and Chloe Guy are
women on a mission!
They’re preparing as the next
generation to take on family-
firm, Templar Roofing based in
Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
Vicki is already a director of the notching up more than 30 approach them and coming up customer service and to keep
firm and has gained massive
“The children ask
years’ roofing experience. The with the best solution, but I our own business running
“Most customers experience in the business’s company specialises in think it’s all clicking into place smoothly.”
know who I am back office functions, but now
she is getting up to speed with
commercial and industrial and I’m getting to grips with all
Vicki has also worked as a what the
roofs, mostly flat roofing, and the various materials, not to
now. I have the hands-on aspects of roofing Vicki puts its success down to mention roofer’s jargon!”
Construction Ambassador in conditions are like.
recent months, going into
established before she takes over the reins the quality of relationships
Her background working in the schools to speak to students
A lot of them think
from her father, Martin Adwick they’ve built up with clients,
relationships with who is planning to move contractors and suppliers.
accounting centre of wholesale, about a career in the UK it must be hard for
national publication distributor’s
them and learnt as towards retirement in the next
roofing sector. She says, “The women. I tell them For Chloe, it’s the team spirit
It’s the first time I’ve Smiths News is particularly children ask what the and her acceptance as part of TAKING OVER THE
much as I can few years.
useful organising the business: conditions are like. A lot of them that’s not the case the team that she really FAMILY BUSINESS
about their As a director, Vicki knows that done it solo estimating jobs, doing the think it must be hard for and try to get a appreciates about the job so
she has to prove her wages, sending out and women. I tell them that’s not
businesses, and knowledge of roofing to the
Templar Roofing’s latest job,
chasing invoices and setting up the case and try to get a few
few examples of far. “The lads look after you.
n Plan ahead
We all co-operate and work as
what makes them company’s workforce: “The
roofing the new £3.8 million
Visitor Centre at the Yorkshire
new jobs, timing them with the examples of women in different women in different a team and have a joke n Learn all you can
tick. It all helps in buck will stop with me when I’m
Sculpture Park as sub-
weather and schedules –
especially important – in order
job roles across, so that they job roles across, so together. I love the banter, it’s about your business’s
in charge”, says Vicki. “When know there are lot of offer
achieving excellent we get a job, I need to know if
contractors of William Birch
to avoid delay penalties. opportunities for both boys and
that they know all really good-humoured and
Construction, has given Vicki helps you get through the day.”
customer service there’s something wrong, I the opportunity to see a project As Vicki continues learning the girls.” there are lot of n Know your customers
Now Chloe is beginning a two- and what makes then
and to keep our need to be able to spot any through from start to finish. She ropes, she is focusing on Currently specialists in flat opportunities for year apprenticeship at a CITB tick
mistakes and make sure cementing relationships as the
own business they’re put right before we hand
measured and priced the roof, roofing, Vicki’s plans are to both boys and centre, where she will do n Gain a thorough
running smoothly.”
key to maintaining the
girls.”
selected the materials that steer the company into offering
over to the client. The business: “Most customers blocks of studying and knowledge of the
would be used, negotiated pitched roofing too over the
workforce have to know that I prices, ordered and purchased know who I am now. I have practical learning, in between business’s finances
next few years. She looks
know my stuff and will keep them – and then oversaw the established relationships with working, to gain a NVQ level 2
forward to continuing the family n Take it step by step
driving up quality!” project. “It’s the first time I’ve them and learnt as much as I The plan is for Chloe to in Flat Roofing. She is also
business and becoming a safe
can about their businesses, attending as many specialist
Vicki’s father, Martin set up the done it solo,” says Vicki. “The pair of hands for her father to specialise in supervising the
and what makes them tick. It all short courses as she can,
business 5 years ago, when he roofing details are a challenge, entrust it to, alongside her hands-on roofing work of the
working out the best way to helps in achieving excellent business. She has already some with manufacturers and
was made redundant, after sister Chloe.
The 2018 Nominees...
The Maureen Johnson
Abigail Mormone – Estimating and Supply Chain Control
Rising Star Award M&J Group
A
new award for young Weatherproof Asphalt Ltd, a
people aged 25 or under board member of CITB and
working in the roofing chairwoman of the London
sector has been launched in Roofing Training Group.
W
ithout too much in the tracked through the business. Her supply chain knowledge and
2018 by Women in Roofing, The Rising Star Award is for
At a time when it was very way of formal She now works in the the database she created initially
called the Maureen Johnson those whose record reflects
unusual for a woman to be a training, Abbi joined Estimating department directly for herself, has become a
Rising Star Award. ongoing and exceptional growth
leader in construction, Maureen M&J Group in December 2016 assisting both the Head of cornerstone of the Group’s
and increased levels of
This annual award has been Johnson trailblazed equality as a telephone receptionist. efforts, particularly in M&Js
leadership and responsibility. Estimating and Head Buyer
launched in tribute to Maureen and inclusivity in the 1980s recent CIF assistance to over
Abbi was taken on in a junior (who in turn oversee a
Johnson who sadly passed roofing sector, earning for To find out more and nominate a 130 academies.
role, but she has used her own department of almost 30
away in 2017. Maureen was herself the fond sobriquet of candidate for the Rising Star
initiative, observed what is estimators and surveyors). Abi M&J have no doubt that she will
well-known and widely- ‘The Fairy Godmother of Award visit Women in Roofing at
going on around her, not be satisfied for long as an
respected as the director of Roofing’. www.winr.org.uk. has become an integral part of
volunteered to take on more estimator and as her knowledge
this and whilst now undertaking
responsibility, and then and confidence grows, they say
approached the company formal estimator training, she is their challenge and aim is to
directors with such invited into senior management keep her at the M&J Group, and
The 2018 Nominees... professionalism that she could
not fail to be noticed and fast-
meetings to present on specific
subjects.
provide the career path that she
so clearly wants and deserves.
Sara-Mae Jordan – Apprentice Slater Holly Morton-Parker – Senior Sales Administrator
Proteus Waterproofing
S H
ara-Mae has how to lay slating to thirds olly started working in The challenges Holly has faced
worked on and vernacular valleys. the roofing industry, at include the requirement to
conservation flat roofing learn, at a technical level, about
projects from day one. She has completed ‘Pre-
manufacturer, Proteus the company’s full range of
1919 Working on
Her first job was to work Waterproofing in June 2015. liquid flat roofing products and
Conservation &
away from home for 10 bituminous membranes. She
Restoration’ projects and Holly has completed her Level
weeks on a Grade I listed has had to develop an
attended various 2 Business Administration
Long House on Dartmoor. understanding of the build-up of
workshops looking at Apprenticeship, and her role
This involved Sara-Mae roofs, the broad concepts of
timber roof details and the progressed to that of Sales
being involved with roof design, compliance with
repair of sash windows. Administrator. She is now
research on how the roof Building Regulations and the
undertaking a Level 3
was originally laid, as the She has also recorded skills needed to carry out
Leadership and Management
slating was removed vernacular roofs. complex calculations.
Apprenticeship, is the Senior
approx 70 years ago. She Sales Administrator and leads a Furthermore, she has had to
Sara-Mae helps to deliver
learnt how to lay the roof team of three.
training and works on a develop a strong administrative
to 3 1/2 pin and regional, Proteus says they suspect The attribute that sets Holly
school programme to Holly has developed her skill set, excellent customer
traditional detailing. Since Holly has found being not only apart from others, more than
present an introduction to knowledge, ability and service skills, and an intimate
then she has worked on the youngest member of the any other, is her attitude to her
listed places of worship slating element to year 10 confidence immeasurably since working knowledge of the firm’s own learning and development;
and 11 school children. she started at Proteus and is bespoke order processing and team that she leads, but also
across the country, stately her eagerness to always know
She also delivered training an integral part of the team, finance system; all from a the youngest member of the
homes and a listed more, to push harder, and to
Victorian coach house in on slating on a course for trusted to carry out whatever is starting point of absolutely no office staff overall to be her take on more responsibility.
asked of her in an efficient work experience. greatest challenge to date.
Wales. She has also learnt Historic England. She is fearless!
manner.
NEXT STEPS
Go Construct Built Environment Skills in Schools
https://www.goconstruct.org/ http://www.beskillsinschools.co.uk
This excellent website gives a whole range of information for This site is an excellent resource for those seeking to promote
people looking to enter the construction industry, together with the Built Environment with schools. Advice and tools are freely
information for employers. available including a video of 99 low cost ways to engage with
GoConstruct also run the Construction Ambassador Programme, schools.
where trained Ambassadors are matched to event requests from http://bit.ly/2H7r1LJ
schools and other organisations promoting jobs in construction.
CITB Bconstructive
www.citb.co.uk
www.citb.co.uk/bconstructive/
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB)
website offers a wealth of information about This CITB BConstructive website has lots of useful
construction companies, and includes details of information about becoming an apprentice in any
apprenticeships on offer and how to apply for them. construction trade.
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