A pioneering National 5 (Nat5) qualification in Creative Industries Roof Slating is being successfully piloted across five schools in Scotland. The initiative, spearheaded by The City of Edinburgh Council with support from the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) and other industry partners including Education Scotland, the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and Historic Environment Scotland, aims to provide students with a practical introduction to the roofing trade.

Building on almost a decade of construction Skills Demonstrations, the new course offers a term of hands-on learning, focusing on real-world skills. Students utilise purpose-built roofing rigs to learn the fundamentals of roof slating, including tool handling and material knowledge. Their progress is assessed digitally, moving away from traditional examinations.

The significance of the initiative has been recognised in the Scottish Parliament, with a motion (S6M-16759) commending the creation of new construction pathways that assist young people in making informed career choices.

Lewis Miller, Company Director at Compass Roofing Ltd, is responsible for tutoring the courses, delivering four half-day sessions and one full-day session per week across Portobello High, Castlebrae High, and Wester Hailles High in Edinburgh, Stirling High in Stirling, and Balfron High School in Glasgow. He commented: "I hope the course will open a door to students who wish to pursue a career in roofing, or in any trade that will help close the skills gap in the industry."

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Scott Miller, Managing Director of Compass Roofing Ltd, NFRC Scotland Chair, and NFRC Board member, highlighted the positive early impact of the practical approach: "We've seen students go from trying out a demonstration to joining local firms full-time. That direct transition into apprenticeships shows the real power of hands-on learning."

While the primary focus of the course is on slating, students are also being introduced to other roofing disciplines through demonstrations, with Permavent having already delivered a session and Edinburgh Leadcraft Ltd planning one.

The NFRC has been actively working with industry and schools to raise the profile of the diverse careers available within the construction sector through practical skills demonstrations. Following these efforts, The City of Edinburgh Council collaborated with the Federation to develop an educational pathway for students interested in exploring potential careers in the industry.

Scott Miller explained the process of developing the curriculum: "We had to scale down college materials to create a course that truly introduces roofing. It's great for students who thrive in practical settings." He further noted the appeal of the course to a wider range of students: "It's especially appealing to students who aren't as engaged in traditional academic subjects. They can see a clear path to employment. It's practical, confidence-building, and might lead straight into an apprenticeship."

Despite currently running in five schools, there is growing demand for the course, with more schools expressing keen interest. By establishing clear routes into the construction sector, the pilot aims to address the pressing need for skilled workers while providing students with genuine career opportunities.

Looking ahead, NFRC Scotland is set to host another Skills Demonstration on the lawns of the Scottish Parliament on 14 and 15 May, followed by a Parliamentary Reception on 3 June, celebrating the initiative and titled "A Blueprint for Scotland's Emerging Construction Talent".