December 2023

Industry News
NFRC VQ ASSESSMENT
SERVICE LAUNCHED
NFRC has announced it has launched a new
assessment service for a range of roofing
and cladding NVQs at Levels 2, 3 and 4.
It says delivery of VQs through the NFRC
Assessment Service is based on the needs of
the individual operative, and assessment can
be done mostly on-site rather than all taking
place at a college or exam centre.
NFRC says on-site assessment means that
the VQ assessor visits learners in the
workplace, completing live assessments with
the team, and this keeps written work to a
minimum, and includes one-on-one
professional discussions alongside witness
testimonies from the operative’s site
manager or colleagues.
NFRC’s Careers Service says it can then
support businesses to understand and access
available CITB funding, to make assessment as
cost neutral as possible, and the association
points out businesses may be eligible to do this
via CITB’s Skills and Training Fund.
Firms can visit the NFRC website to find out
if the NFRC Assessment Service meets their
experienced worker assessment needs and
how to get started. If this service isn’t the
right fit, the NFRC Careers Service says it can
help contractors find the right provider.
Ruth Scarrott, NFRC’s Head of Careers,
explained: “We are delighted to be launching
this service in order to further support the
roofing industry to upskill its experienced
workers. Many experienced workers are now
looking to gain a qualification because of the
upcoming withdrawal of ‘Grandfather Rights’
as a way of obtaining a CSCS card, but even if
this isn’t something your particular workforce
needs, your people are worth investing in, and
gaining proof of competency can be an
immense source of pride and confidence.”
www.nfrc.co.uk/careers/
More news, updates and interviews at www.total-contractor.co.uk
SKILLBUILD ROOF SLATING AND TILING
CHAMPION CROWNED!
The winners of the SkillBuild National Final
2023 have been announced, after 78
construction trainees went head-to-head over
three days of competition.
SkillBuild, also known as the construction ‘skills
Olympics’, is delivered by the Construction
Industry Training Board (CITB) and showcases
some of the brightest talent in construction. The
prestigious competition brings together highly
skilled learners and apprentices to battle it out to
be crowned winner of their chosen trade.
Following the Regional Qualifiers, which were held
at various colleges across the UK earlier this year,
the National Final took place at the Marshall
Arena in Milton Keynes on 21st–23rd November.
The event attracted around 1,000 visitors,
exhibiting the variety of skills and career
opportunities available within the industry.
Across the three days competitors were tasked
with constructing a project designed by an expert
panel of judges, within an 18-hour timeframe.
CITB says the project tests the individual’s
knowledge and skills, as well as their ability to
work under pressure, ensuring they adhere to
health and safety protocols.
The Roof Slating and Tiling competition was won
by Jacob Blight of South Devon College, with
Hamish Morgan of Edinburgh College taking
Jacob Blight of South Devon College with his SkillBuild trophies
second place and Aeron Murray of Leeds College
of Building finishing third.
Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “I always
look forward to the SkillBuild events and this
year’s final at the Marshall Arena has, once
again, been a brilliant success! It’s fantastic to
meet all the talented individuals and hear about
their career aspirations, and I’m delighted we
were able to welcome so many members of the
public this year, too.
“At a time when the industry is going through a
skills shortage, it’s vital that we support this next
generation of talent and encourage them to
pursue their passions. SkillBuild has the potential
to make a huge difference here, transforming an
interest or a hobby into a full-time career, and I’d
like to thank everyone involved in making this
year’s competition possible. Finally,
congratulations to all the winners and everyone
who competed, you should all be incredibly proud
of yourselves.”
3 winners centre, l-r: Hamish Morgan, Edinburgh College
(2nd place); Jacob Blight, South Devon College (1st place);
Aeron Murray, Leeds College of Building (3rd place).
6 TC DECEMBER 2023