Roofer

You can take a college course which will teach you some of the skills you'll need to get a trainee position with a roofing company.

Courses include:

• roof slating and tiling
• roofing occupations
• built-up felt roofing
• construction skills

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You can apply to do an apprenticeship with a roofing company, such as a Roofer Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This can take around 2 years to complete and has options to specialise in:

• slating and tiling
• installing waterproof membranes
• sheeting and cladding

If you want to work as a thatcher, you could apply for the Thatcher Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, with a thatching company.

The National Society of Master Thatchers (NSMT) also offers an apprenticeship and mentoring scheme .

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You can start work as a roofing labourer or roofer's 'mate' and take further training while you work to get your roofing qualifications.

In thatching, you can apply to thatching companies to be taken on as a trainee. Employers will want to see enthusiasm for the craft and good practical skills.

You can apply directly for roofing jobs. You'll need some GCSEs and relevant practical experience, for example gained from working in other areas of construction.

Registrations

you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site

Career Tips

Roofers are required in all areas of the country. If you're looking for a career in thatching, you may need to relocate to an area where thatching skills are in demand.

Further Information

You can find out more about how to become a roofer from Go Construct and House Building Careers .

You can learn more about a career in thatching from the National Society of Master Thatchers.

As a roofer, you could:

• remove or repair broken tiles or slates
• check the condition of roof timbers and seal roof joints
• measure the roof area to work out how many slates and tiles are needed
• fit loft insulation
• cover roofs with slates, tiles, sheeting or cladding
• apply waterproof materials to flat roofs
• fit plastic or lead 'flashings' around chimneys, windows and adjoining walls

As a thatcher, you could:

• put up scaffolding or secure ladders to buildings
• identify thatched areas for repair or replacement
• strip off old thatch
• check roof timbers for damage or rot
• prepare bundles of straw or reeds
• secure bundles of thatch to roof timbers
• remove moss and lichen growth from roofs
• grow and harvest your own thatching materials

We've identified this as a potential green job

For a roofer to be a green job, you could:

• recycle old roof materials to be reused in construction
• fit roof insulation to make properties more energy efficient
• use rechargeable tools and equipment to save energy

Find out more about green careers

You could work on a construction site, at a client's business or at a client's home.

Your working environment may be at height, dirty and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.