The First sod is cut at new training centre
02 May 2009
MP for North Nottingham Graham Allen joined construction bosses when they gathered to cut the first piece of earth for the brand new National Roofing College in Bulwell.
The college, the brainchild of Jason Wright of Bulwell roofing firm J Wright Roofing, will provide NVQ 2 level training for apprentices and roofers across Nottinghamshire. The firm will itself be funding the £500,000 cost of the college.
Mr Allen is a great supporter of the college and said: “This is a great idea of Jason’s and I am delighted to be here to mark the occasion. A local project which is to benefit young apprentices in North Nottingham and the whole county is definitely something I fully support.
“At the moment, Nottinghamshire roofers have to travel to Birmingham to go to a specialised college. I believe it is high time that Nottingham had its own training facility and this is a fantastic move to help boost jobs and bridge the skills gap.”
Jason came up with the idea after his firm’s own apprenticeship scheme for roofers was such a triumph – having put 30 young apprentices through a training programme in the last fifteen years.
Jason said: “We value the importance of apprentices and of developing our own staff. The scheme has been so successful we have decided to set up our own training facility for apprentices in the region.
“Initially 48 students will be using the centre at one time, reaching NVQ level in 12 weeks, we hope this will rise to around 200 students within the next five years. The college will provide training in roof slating, tiling, flat roofing and single ply systems.”
West Nottinghamshire College has also fully backed the scheme, and will provide the internal and external assessors for the college.
Phillip Smith, partnership manager at West Notts College said: “West Notts College feels proud to be asked to support the Training College - we are always keen to support local industry.
“Especially as there is a gap in the market here in Nottingham, we don’t offer this facility, and so we fully back a training college that is going to add to the services that we can provide, as well as widening the opportunities for apprentices and people in the local area. “
Rayner Davies Architects, who have offices in Nottingham and Maidstone Kent, is working with J Wright on the new scheme.
Steve Rayner, of RDA, said: "We are delighted to be working on this project that will provide a great facility for roofers in the area. It was great that Graham Allen could join us and show his support for the project as well. It will be a fantastic addition for Nottingham to have its own training centre."
The building, to the rear of the J Wright business in Bulwell, will be approximately 4,800sq ft, and is due to open in September offering a range of courses.