Angus company, Forster Roofing, is encouraging local youngsters to consider a career in the construction trade when they leave school.

For the last three years the company, which is one of Brechin's largest employers, has been working with Angus College and Brechin High School to deliver the Scottish Government's Skills for Work programme.

Skills for Work is a unique series of courses which provide young people in third and fourth year at secondary school with vocational training and experience in industries such as the financial sector and construction.

"The young people who take part in these 12-week courses really appreciate coming here," John Forster, Managing Director of Forster Roofing, told Provost Ruth Leslie Melville and Councillor David Fairweather during their recent visit to the company.

However, although the courses are very important to the participating young people, who gain a qualification which is the equivalent of a Standard Grade, John explained to the Provost and Councillor Fairweather that the courses are invaluable to the local construction industry.

"We are hoping to attract at least some of these young people into the construction industry," said John. "These young people are, potentially, the skilled tradesmen of the future. Although the construction trade is currently being affected by the economic situation, when matters improve, there will be a great need for skilled tradesmen, such as roofers."

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In order to provide young people with the training they need to prepare them for a possible career in the construction industry, Forster Roofing now has a training centre at its Brechin headquarters. At the training centre, as well as learning about the theory behind roofing and tiling, the young people also work on specially-built roof rigs, putting the theory they have learnt into practice.

Forster Roofing has received considerable recognition for this training, including the Services to the Community Award at the 2008 Scottish Roofing Contractor of the Year Awards.

"Winning this award was a wonderful accolade for everyone involved, including the young people who have attended our training centre," added John.

However, training the next generation of slaters and roofers is only one aspect of Forster Roofing, one of the largest roofing contractors in Scotland. "We supply and fit roofs, tiles and slates all over Scotland," said John. "In fact one in five of all new houses in Scotland has a Forster Roof.

"We work for every major housebuilder in the UK and are becoming increasingly involved in projects for social housing clients, such as local authorities and housing associations, both new builds and adding new roofs to existing buildings."

Forster Roofing has also won several roofing contracts for historical restoration projects, including the 'new' Morgan Academy in Dundee. "We are asked to take part in prestigious projects such as this because of our reputation for quality workmanship," John told the Provost and Councillor Fairweather. "One of the reasons Forster Roofing has such a good reputation is that we are firm believers in continually improving the skills of our workforce and ensuring that all our employees undergo regular training."

The Provost and Councillor Fairweather were both impressed by the training being provided by Forster Roofing. "This company is clearly dedicated to developing the skills of its workforce - present and future - which will only be of benefit to the Angus economy," said Councillor Fairweather, who is the vice-convener of Infrastructure Services.

Provost Ruth Leslie Melville was equally complimentary saying: "A successful company such as Forster Roofing having such a strong social conscience and being prepared to put so much effort into training young people bodes very well for the future of Angus."

(GK/BMcC)