November 2018

Industry News
SPAIN QUARRY TRIP
FOR APPRENTICES
Two Leeds College of Building apprentices
have just from the trip of a lifetime after
winning a competition to go on an allexpenses-paid
journey to northern Spain
for three days.
The students flew to Madrid and then on to
the famous CUPA PIZARRAS quarries –
reportedly the biggest tectonic natural slate
reserves in the world – to see first-hand
where slate is excavated and manufactured
for international distribution.
Daniel Williams (18) who works for St. Leger
Homes in Doncaster, and Jacob Brain (19)
who works for WDH in Wakefield, were
selected for their exceptional standard of
work and commitment to their training over
the last academic year.
The competition is sponsored by longstanding
partner CUPA PIZARRAS, who
supports the College and donates roofing
supplies (including its natural slate range)
through Burton Roofing Merchants.
Accompanied by roofing lecturers Chris
Messenger and Tim Donegan, the students
saw for themselves the production of slate on
a massive scale at CUPA’s world-leading
quarries. The students observed how stone is
extracted from the ground, selected, and
hand-split ready for transport to roofing
markets around the world.
FLAT & PITCHED TRAINING AT ONE VENUE
Following the completion of a new BMI Icopal
flat roofing training area, and the
refurbishment of the existing BMI Redland
pitched training facility, the BMI National
Training Centre is now able to offer
contractors, developers, merchants and
students an extensive range of both pitched
and flat roof courses at the one location.
Located in South Cerney, Gloucestershire, the
National Training Centre boasts possibly the most
comprehensive training resource in the country.
The pitched roof area comprises a variety of rigs
including: a gable-to-gable rig, life-size hip and
valley rig, life-size monopitch with top edge
abutment rig, and a plain tile detail rig for full
system installation. These are complemented by
a variety of mobile rigs outside.
The training area for flat roofs is similarly well
equipped with several liquid waterproofing rigs,
two single ply detail rigs, a life-size flat roof and
six demonstration tables for single ply and liquids
detail work, along with a large external bitumen
rig to allow torch on and pour and roll training.
IKO Polymeric will be Headline Sponsor for
SPRA Events 2019.
Competition for Headline Sponsor was very strong
this year with Bauder, Gradient, IKO Polymeric and
SFS Group all wanting the top slot. SPRA says the
only fair way was to hold a draw! Bill Hill, CEO of
the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity made
the draw before presenting on Mental Health at the
SPRA Member Workshop held on the 9th of October
at the NEC.
Stuart Turnbull, National Sales Manager for IKO
Polymeric, said: “We are delighted to be SPRA
Headline Sponsor for 2019. We see SPRA
membership as a key element of our business as it
demonstrates our commitment to high standards
Courses offered range from the BMI Basic Roofing course (flat
and pitched), to the higher-level courses, such as the Bespoke
Standards & Workmanship course for pitched roofing.
Mat Woodyatt, BMI Technical Training Manager, is
excited with what the National Training Centre can
now offer: “With the investment we have made in
the new flat roofing facility and the improvements
made to the pitched roof area, we are in a great
position to offer the most comprehensive training
available in the UK. Since opening over 45,000
delegates have enjoyed coming here and learning
a new skill, or even just brushing up on an existing
skill. Now we can look forward to the next 45,000
and offer them even more. Our commitment to
training has never wavered and being able to run
courses in both pitched and flat disciplines will
help us cater for the needs of the contractor,
merchant and student in a more cohesive and
flexible manner”, he added.
IKO POLYMERIC HEADLINES SPRA EVENTS
and quality. It’s also important to us that we give
something back to the single ply industry and
support the excellent work that SPRA does.”
Such is their support, that Bauder, Gradient and SFS
have all chosen to take Gold sponsorship. SIKA and
EJOT UK have also taken Gold sponsorship which
has already sold out this category!
Cathie Clarke, SPRA CEO, said: “I am completely
blown away by the level of support we have already
received for next year. It shows that the hard work of
the SPRA team to increase SPRA and our members’
profiles throughout the industry and our efforts to
improve quality, productivity and sustainability
through education, influence and support across the
sector are recognised and appreciated.”
14 TC NOVEMBER 2018