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- Repair and improve roofs
- Work outside and with your hands
- You could become a roofing surveyor or site manager
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Remove or repair broken tiles or slates (stripping)
- Check roof timbers
- Fit felt sheets to roofs
- Measure and cut materials
- Cover roofs with slates, tiles or cladding
- Cut and fit lead 'flashings' around chimney stacks and walls
- Seal roof joints with mortar
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
You'll usually work on jobs with other craftspeople, like joiners and plumbers.
You could work in a commercial building, on a construction site or at a client's home, your working day might may be longer in the summer. You'll work at heights, using ladders and scaffolding and wear safety equipment like a hard hat and knee-pads. The job is physically demanding and dirty, and you'll be exposed to all weather conditions.
You'll travel from site to site, and may need to stay away from home at times.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with the ability to understand building plans, good maths skills to work out areas, quantities and prices, and practical ability.
There are no set entry requirements, but employers value experience and you'll need to be able to cope with working at height and have a good level of fitness.
You could gain experience through working as a roofing labourer or by doing a college course like a Level 2 Diploma in Roofing Occupations or Level 2 Diploma in Roof Slating and Tiling.
You can also do specialist training courses if you're interested in heritage and conservation skills in roof slating and tiling.
Alternatively you can get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship as a roofer. This can take up to 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a college or training provider.
You'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site.
You can join the Institute of Roofing for training opportunities and to make industry contacts.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could become a roofing surveyor, estimating costs, dealing with contracts and working with architects. You could also become a site manager or move into technical sales. Other options include training, setting up your own business or working as a roofing consultant.
You can improve your career options with a qualification like the Level 3 (NVQ) Diploma in Roofing Occupations. You can do specialist skills training in areas like heritage conservation, thatching or installing solar panels.