Latest news on funding from ConstructionSkills to provide roofing contractors with training for solar installation and to help them to gain MCS accreditation.
NFRC is acutely aware of just how difficult it is for any company to fund and to commit time for operatives and managers to undertake training and to up-skill. So it is with this in mind, that NFRC has been working closely with CITB-ConstructionSkills to facilitate training for roofing contractors. This work is the start of a major training and apprenticeship initiative that NFRC will undertake over the next year to help NFRC members train new managers and operatives in new technologies ahead of the implementation of the Green Deal in autumn 2012.
For companies who are interested in taking advantage of this training, are advised that places are on a first come first served basis and that you are to contact the trainers directly to book your place. Places are filled at the discretion of the provider and not by NFRC.
Solar Installation
Hand's on training courses, seperated into the three main disciplines; pitched, metal and flat. Each programme will cover both solar PV and solar thermal as well as the most current systems; panel, intergrated etc.
Attendees may be charged up to £100 for booking onto these courses, but NFRC members will be reimbursed on completion of the course. This deposit maybe charged to make sure the course is well attended.
Pitched Roofing – Solar Installation
The Pitched Roofing Solar Installation courses are underway and the current training providers are listed below (but may be subject to change).
On completion of the course the attendee will be given a certificate for their records, and if they are an NFRC member then they will also have Category L (Installing Solar Collectors) added to their company profile on the website.
| Provider | Contact Number | Contact Name |
| North West Roof Training Group (Knowsley) | 01772 780247 | Brian Wharton |
| Edinburgh's Telford College | 0131 559 4000 | John Laing & Bob Coutts |
| Ploughcroft (Brighouse, West Yorks) | 01484 723344 | Joe Hennessy |
| South Wales & South West Training Group (Exeter) | 01395 233667 | Martin Rickard |
| NCC South - Erith | 01322 349638 | Alan King |
| South Coast Roof Training (Littlehampton) | 0845 678 0065 | Mike Fields |
| East Midlands Roofing College (Nottingham) | 0115 927 1333 | Livia Williams |
Flat Roofing – Solar Installation
The programme for Flat Roofing Solar Installation is completed and the courses will start in the New Year. These courses are expected to run as a road show visiting venues around the country.
Metal Roofing – Solar Installation
The programme is near completion and the training providers are awaiting selection. Details will be released as soon as possible.
MCS Accreditation
This course aims to allow you to develop the skills to create a Document Management System (DMS) for your business that is required for your Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation.
Attendees will not be MCS accredited after this course, instead it will help to set up systems which can then be checked by the NAPIT inspector, along with an installation on a follow up visit. At the end of the course you will have a DMS unique to your business that will be robust enough to meet this part of the MCS assessment.
As this course is predominantly on administration and setting up procedures then the best person to attend should be someone within the company who understands and can influence organisational procedures. Only one person needs to attend the course as the MCS accreditation is for the company and not the individual.
Courses will begin from November 2011, if you are interested in attending this course please contact email tanyacoutts@nfrc.co.uk.