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Become an Apprentice Roofer

How To Become A Roofer
Have you got an interest in construction? If you are the sort of person who loves to get involved in hands on work and is genuinely interested when you see new housing estates and other construction projects going on in your area, then why not transform this interest into a living by learning a trade?

There are lots of trades and professions within the construction industry and, as a sector that employs over 3 million people all around the United Kingdom, your work could be varied and rewarding. And, what’s more, your skills will be valuable and in demand.

One of the trades that you could learn within construction is training to become a roofer. Whether you focus on becoming a roof tiler or you want to focus on waterproofing or cladding, the skills of the roofer will always be in demand.

Of course, there are certain things you will need to bear in mind if you want to do roofing jobs. You are going to need to be physically fit as you will need to be able to carry heavy materials and climb ladders, scaffolding and get yourself around difficult to reach places on the roof.

Many roofs around the UK, depending on the type of building you are working on, are high up. Yes, you might be working on bungalows or the flat roofs of low rise buildings, but you could also be working high up on multi storey buildings. If you are not comfortable with working at height, then you shouldn’t become a roofer.

If you do love to work with heights, then just imagine all those views you will witness around the UK. Views only you and your fellow roofers will see. As well as having the satisfaction that your roofer jobs are essential in securing and protecting a building, you can enjoy views of city scapes, sea views and rural landscapes from your elevated positions.
How Do I Become A Roofer?
So, if all of that sounds really appealing, you might want to know how to become a roofer? Whether you have helped in the past on roofing jobs or you are just starting out, one of the best ways to become a roofer is by doing a Roofer Apprenticeship.

A Roofer Apprenticeship is a great way into the trade for various reasons. One good reason is that by doing Roofing Apprenticeship jobs, you get to earn while you learn. You will be learning on the job and get paid a wage whilst you are a trainee roofer.

And all of this training won’t be for nothing. Doing a Roofer Apprenticeship means that when you have completed the programme successfully, you will be awarded with nationally recognised qualifications. This means you will be able to go on and do other roofing jobs and your customers or employers will know you are equipped with the necessary skills.
How Do Roofer Apprenticeships Work?
Although you will gain the same level of nationally recognised qualifications by doing Roofer Apprenticeships, your particular experience during Roofing Apprenticeship jobs will vary depending on your employer, the types of properties they work on, the size of the company and the specialist area you choose to concentrate on.

As mentioned above a Roofer Apprenticeship means you will need to be physically fit and not afraid of working with heights. Another aspect of roofing jobs is that, as you might expect, you will be working outside a lot. Roofing Apprenticeship jobs will teach you how to work with safety equipment and how to use your tools of the trade safely so that you are keeping the risk of accidents to a minimum.

Although roofer jobs can be put on hold in extreme weather conditions, you will have to be prepared to work in different temperatures and various weather situations.

Roofer Apprenticeships will also suit those of you who don’t like to be working in the same environments all the time. Roofer jobs can take you all over the UK and as an Apprentice roofer, you may be working away from home on occasion on various construction projects.
How Long Is A Roofing Apprenticeship?
A Roofer Apprenticeship will take you around two years to complete at Level 2.
How Much Do Apprentice Roofers Make?
We have said that during a Roofing Apprenticeship, you will earn while you learn. If you have asked how much do Apprentice roofers make, you need to check current minimum wage rates for Apprentices. This will vary depending on your age.

Bear in mind, also, that these rates are minimum rates. If you have already secured some employment in construction and you want to go onto roofing jobs, your employer may pay you more than the minimum rate whilst your are doing your Roofer Apprenticeship.
Roofer Apprenticeships - Qualifications And Pathways
If you are looking to become a roof tiler, it is currently possible to do a Roof Slating and Tiling Apprenticeship.
  • At the end of your programme, you will receive a Level 2 qualification.
  • You must have achieved at least Level 1 in English and Maths if you haven’t already done so.
  • You should also be able to show that you are working towards Level 2 - or higher - in English and Maths.
As a roof tiler and slater, you will work on both domestic and commercial properties, tiling brand new roofs and also repairing old ones. You will also learn how to both cut and fix tiles made from various materials.

For a variety of trades and professions in the UK, there are now Apprenticeship Standards that have been drawn up by those working in that particular trade. For Roofer Apprenticeships, it will be possible to do a Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard.

As well as Core Knowledge and Core Skills that will be necessary for all specialist areas of roofing, the Level 2 Roofer Apprenticeship will have the following choice of pathways or options:
  • Roof Tiler And Roof Slater - If you want to become a roofer in this field, you will work on various types of buildings, tiling and slating roofs and also using other materials for covering. Buildings will be new or existing.
  • Waterproof Membranes Installer - A Roofing Apprenticeship where you specialise in this area will see you installing waterproofing systems to new and existing buildings. As a trainee roofer in this area, you will also be doing roofing jobs where you are installing membranes onto flat roofs to ensure they are waterproof.
  • Roof Sheeter And Cladder - Roofing Apprenticeship jobs where you specialise in being a roof sheeter and cladder will see you working on commercial premises such as warehouses and supermarkets. You will install metal sheet roof coverings and also use other materials to make new and existing buildings waterproof.
As with existing Roofer Apprenticeships, when you do this Standard, you will need to have at least Level 1 in English and Maths is you haven’t already achieved it. You should also take the test for Level 2.

When you complete the Roofer Apprenticeship Standard, you will be eligible for employment in the roofing industry as a Craft Operative.
Further Career Progression After Roofer Apprenticeships
Once you have completed your Roofer Apprenticeship and you are no longer a trainee roofer, it is then up to you to decide which direction you want to take your career in. Lots of those doing roofer jobs will go on to work for local roofing companies in their area - there could even be full time positions available with the firm where you did your Apprenticeship.
How To Become A Roofer Contractor
If you are entrepreneurial and like to work for yourself, then you could go self-employed. Having your own roofing company means you could be a roof tiler or carry out other roofer jobs locally.

Once you have built up a reputation for yourself, you could do roofing contractor work where you put yourself forward for the roofing jobs on larger constructions. This could be on commercial properties, public buildings such as schools and hospitals or you might be working on a new housing estate.

For some of you who have become a certified roofer, you might go into supervisory positions. This couıld be within roofing or, if you have a wider interest in construction, you might do further Level 3 qualifications and become a site manager or a project manager.

If roofing jobs are your passion, however, you could do further training and become a specialist in a particular area. Heritage, for example, could be an area where you could specialise.

If your locality and other areas near you build their houses using local stone, you could be a specialist roof tiler and slater where you build yourself a reputation for being an expert in working with local materials to restore and repair older properties and build new ones in the traditional local style.

Whatever type of roofing jobs you do, because of the nature of the work, you will be mostly working outdoors and, sometimes, away from home. This means your work can be affected by the weather.

Roofers need to be able to work with the weather, keeping themselves very busy during the summer months and knowing there could potentially be lots of down time during the winter months. If you can organise your time and money, this can be one of the advantages when you become a roofer.
Apply For Roofer Apprenticeships In The UK
So, now you know how to become a roofer in the UK, do you think a Roofer Apprenticeship is the route for you? Roofer jobs can be hugely rewarding, especially when you can see your own work all around the locality.

A Roofer Apprenticeship will equip you with the skills needed to do the job and give you the qualifications to take forward with you into the future. Take a look to see if there are any roofing Apprenticeship jobs to suit you and you could soon be on the way to a successful career in the construction industry doing roofer jobs all over the United Kingdom.

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