March 2020

Industry News
More news, updates and interviews at www.total-contractor.co.uk
NEW TRAINING FACILITY FOR SHARMANS
Supporting contractors with fully accredited
training has long been a priority for
Sharmans.
The company, which has been instrumental in
helping to raise gutter and roofing standards since
1985, sees advanced training provision as a
cornerstone of its commitment to making life easier
for hardworking contractors. This thinking has led
directly to the launch of a brand new, state of-theart
training facility at its Head Office on 2nd April.
The new facility will provide contractors with
dedicated training on their gutter refurbishment
and roof coating systems. Cutting the ceremonial
ribbon will be Sarah Spink, CEO of the Liquid
Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LWRA),
while Sharmans technical experts will be on hand
to share their “flow know-how”.
Working on the principle that better informed is
better installed, the new facility will enable
contractors to immerse themselves in the
practice of making gutter and roofing systems
perfect. Each installer will receive a complete
grounding in the company’s advanced systems,
prior to qualifying as Certified Training
Contractors.
The fully interactive one-day programmes will
bring contractors up to speed with system
components and the latest installation methods.
Centre stage will be purpose built demonstration
rigs, giving contractors a hi-tech view of practical
application skills of hot air gutter welding and roof
coating techniques. Installers will also benefit
from a deep-dive review of key surveying and
preparation skills, plus digital support tools.
There will also be an official Open Day on 2nd
April, featuring training demonstrations which will
be broadcast live on the Sharmans social media
channels, with technical experts on hand to
answer any questions.
If you would like to attend the Open Day or find
out more, contact info@hdsharman.co.uk
SKILLBUILD: PITCHED CATEGORY CANCELLED
It has been announced that the Roof Tiling and
Slating category will not take place at this year’s
SkillBuild competition as the competition’s
criteria and procedures are to be reviewed.
The NFRC and CITB say the goal will be to
establish a reinvigorated competition for 2021
that will better reflect the needs of the industry
and competitors.
The decision comes after consultation and
HD Sharmans’ new training facility will be opened by Sarah
Spink, CEO of the LRWA on April 2nd.
agreement between the category’s joint backers,
the National Federation of Roofing Contractors
(NFRC), the Construction Industry Training Board
(CITB) and WorldSkills UK.
Both the NFRC and CITB say they remain
committed to the training of the next generation of
roofers and supporting skills competitions, and
the NFRC will be backing Team GB in the
international IFD Young Roofer Championships
later this year.
EASY ACCESS WITH
RAVATHERM APP
Ravago Building Solutions has launched
Ravatherm App, a new, free digital tool
for architects, specifiers and members of
the construction industry.
The app
provides
quick and
easy access
to product
information
about
Ravatherm XPS X, the company’s market
leading range of thermal insulation. App
users can also find essential technical
data, gain an understanding of how to
place and receive product orders, and
perform initial U-value calculations for
inverted flat roof and flooring
applications.
Chris Gimson, Commercial Director – UK
and Ireland at Ravago Building Solutions,
said: “We have been exploring launching
an app for a long time, speaking with
customers to ensure that Ravatherm App
would feature the information and tools
they need. This follows our decision last
year to invest in a new packaging line to
make it easier to receive, offload and
unpack our products. We are continually
looking for new ways to support our
customers and are keen to learn how we
can improve Ravatherm App to make it a
must-have tool for everyone in the
construction sector.
“Ravatherm App makes it easier than
ever to specify our market leading
Ravatherm XPS X products.”
Ravatherm App is designed to work on a
wide range of modern computers and
mobile devices, and can be accessed at:
https://ravathermapp.com.
10 TC MARCH 2020