Talented young apprentices from across the UK are set to test their skills in a variety of crafts and specialisms as SkillBuild 2022 gets underway.

The NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) is once again be leading the roofing element of the competition.

The first heat has now taken place at Eastern Region Roof Training Group in Baylham, Ipswich, with further heats set to take place at South Devon College, Construction College Midlands, Leeds College of Building, and South Lanarkshire College, with Bolton College hosting the final heat on 23 June.

This year, four sponsors have donated materials for the heats: A. Proctor Group, BMI UK and Ireland, SIG Roofing and SR Timber. Their donations ensure that the competitors are supplied with all the necessary materials to do their best work, from the underlay to battens to tiles and nails.

The judging team is made up of three experienced roofers—Bob Coutts, Matt Timby and Andy Rowlands. They are looking for accuracy in measurement and quality workmanship throughout the six hour heats, as well as the aptitude for competition. The winner of the SkillBuild National Final may have the opportunity of joining the UK Roofing Team and representing their college, employer and country in international competitions. Senior Judge Bob Coutts will attend every heat to ensure consistent marking.

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Bob Richardson, NFRC's Head of Technical and Training, said: "NFRC's Training Manager Simon Dixon has been working closely with the CITB's SkillBuild Team to deliver six heats across the country, to find the top eight scorers to achieve a place in the National Final in November. We sincerely thank the sponsors for without them the competition wouldn't go ahead.

He added: "We wish every apprentice the very best of luck, it's not easy having your work scrutinised to such strict tolerances, and within a tight timeframe."

Shaun Revill, Trading Director at SR Timber, said: "SR Timber is incredibly proud to be supporting NFRC in the SkillBuild competition through providing British Standard graded batten. We appreciate the crucial role that building and roofing colleges play in nurturing talent across the industry and in turn are keen to show our dedication to the apprentices and colleges. Therefore, supporting NFRC and SkillBuild is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate this commitment. On behalf of everyone at SR Timber I wish the competitors the absolute best of luck across their heats, and will be following each of the rounds through to the final very closely."

John Johnston, Sales Director at A. Proctor Group, said: "The A. Proctor Group is committed to promoting the highest standards of workmanship across construction trades, and this year we were delighted to sponsor NFRC in supporting SkillBuild. By supplying Roofshield, apprentices will be able to get first-hand experience working with one of the highest performing pitched roof underlays. We wish each competitor the best of luck!"