March 2018
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Opinion<br />
ROOFING IS NOW A SAFE AND<br />
DESIRABLE CAREER CHOICE<br />
By Mark Hibberd, National Field Manager – Roofing at Sika<br />
If I was a school leaver considering my career<br />
options ahead of me, why would I choose to<br />
take a job in the roofing industry? At face<br />
value, it’s a decision that would see me spending<br />
the best part of my working life out in all<br />
weathers, doing a physically demanding role that<br />
can be dirty and unsafe.<br />
Most roofers when asked would probably not say<br />
they always aspired to be a roofer from a young<br />
age. Most roofers have fallen into the roofing<br />
industry by accident or default. So how can we<br />
encourage younger generations to embark on a<br />
career in roofing?<br />
Manufacturer training has improved significantly<br />
and is backed up by Trade Associations and<br />
national industry training boards to give each<br />
roofing operative a qualification, meaning<br />
recognition in the industry and the chance to<br />
progress however far they wish. Once an<br />
operative has a qualification and gains<br />
experience in the installation of different roofing<br />
systems, they become a prime target for<br />
manufacturers looking for Field Technicians to<br />
train in the use of their systems, products, and<br />
inspect installations to maintain high<br />
workmanship standards.<br />
Some may move into site<br />
supervision, contract management<br />
or chance their arm at starting up their<br />
own contracting organisation. Experienced<br />
installation operatives are much sought after – they<br />
do say you can’t teach experience.<br />
Working practices<br />
We can’t change the weather but we can change<br />
working practices. Health and safety protocols<br />
are at the forefront of any company’s strategy.<br />
Sites now have excellent welfare facilities,<br />
stringent PPE and place the emphasis on the<br />
safety of workers at all times. Products also have<br />
to meet or exceed strict guidelines, particularly<br />
when it comes to installation.<br />
“We can’t change<br />
the weather but<br />
we can change<br />
working practices”<br />
Left: Mark Hibberd, National Field Manager –<br />
Roofing at Sika<br />
Manufacturers, such as ourselves,<br />
are constantly reacting to<br />
feedback from operatives and<br />
changing installation techniques and<br />
products to mitigate the stress on the<br />
applicator. New products are designed to be far<br />
less demanding and cleaner to use than<br />
traditional methods.<br />
Spray technology has made major in-roads into<br />
most manufacturers’ portfolio of products which<br />
negates the need for site operatives to spread<br />
adhesives with rollers, brushes or squeegees and<br />
saving from future exo-skeletal problems. Selfadhered<br />
membranes are seen as a progressive<br />
way of installing single ply membranes for the<br />
same reasons, again with Sika leading the way.<br />
All this, combined, gives me such hope for the<br />
future of the industry.<br />
Long-term career opportunities<br />
The roofing industry is now safer, cleaner and<br />
less physically demanding than ever before and<br />
also offers more long-term career opportunities<br />
for young professionals than we’ve ever seen.<br />
This has helped draw more talented professionals<br />
into roofing, something we’re personally seeing<br />
through the Sika apprenticeships, industrial<br />
placements and internships. With more high<br />
quality roofing professionals using high quality<br />
products, the roofing industry will continue to<br />
deliver high quality roofing results for projects of<br />
all shapes and sizes up and down the country for<br />
many years to come.<br />
Contact Sika<br />
01707 394444<br />
gbr.sika.com<br />
@SikaLimited<br />
48 TC MARCH <strong>2018</strong>