Government Skills Reform
As part of its new National Mission on Work Experience, the Government is calling on employers to create an additional 200,000 work experience placements for young people aged 14 to 16. Construction is specifically identified as one of the sectors where these opportunities could be provided, with Mayors and local authorities expected to help connect schools with employers.
This could provide an opportunity to introduce more young people to roofing at an early stage and demonstrate the range of career paths available.
With an understanding that practical experience can make a significant difference to how construction careers are engaged with, NFRC supports members to engage with young people through work experience, careers events, skills demonstrations, and initiatives such as Build UK’s Open Doors. Work experience can also provide employers with an opportunity to introduce potential recruits to their business and assess whether they could be suitable for a future apprenticeship or trainee position.
Members can get involved in the Government's new initiative by contacting their local Careers Hub to offer work experience placements. Careers Hubs, supported by The Careers & Enterprise Company, provide a link between employers, schools, and colleges.
The Government has also confirmed plans to introduce new Vocational GCSEs, designed to sit alongside traditional GCSEs and replace the current Technical Awards. The new qualifications will have nationally set content, assessment, and grading, with the first subjects expected to become available from September 2029. Building and Construction is among the potential subjects being considered.
NFRC sees an important opportunity here to ensure that vocational education reflects the skills employers actually need.
For roofing, this means maintaining a clear connection between classroom learning, practical experience, recognised qualifications, and employment. The sector needs young people to understand not only the theory behind construction, but also how skills are applied safely and professionally in real working environments.
The Government is already providing additional funding to support selected Level 2 and Level 3 programmes and T Levels in building and construction, recognising the need to increase the supply of skilled construction workers.
Getting the skills pipeline right
Skills England's latest analysis also highlights the importance of construction within the UK's future skills pipeline. Its 2026 report identifies construction as a priority, with a £625 million Construction Skills Package intended to support the development of up to 60,000 skilled construction workers. It also found that apprenticeships in building and construction have a strong connection with priority occupations, with more than three quarters of employed recent education leavers progressing into priority occupations.
For NFRC, the challenge is ensuring that these reforms translate into meaningful opportunities for roofing businesses and the next generation of roofers.
Early engagement with schools can help young people understand what the industry has to offer, whilst high-quality work experience can then provide a first taste of the workplace, followed by a clear route into further training, an apprenticeship, or employment.
NFRC will continue to work with members, education providers, government, and industry partners to promote roofing as a skilled and professional career, while helping businesses access the talent they need for the future.
NFRC Members can also contribute to Skills England's review of the current standards system by completing the relevant survey by Friday 16 October.
