Roofing training

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Roofing training

Bridging the skills gap - our work with colleges

There’s a well-documented skills shortage in construction. Here at Midland Lead, we want to play our part in both supporting industry growth, and developing specialist roofing skills.  Since 2012, we’ve been helping construction colleges by providing free product – up to a metric tonne of machine cast lead - plus lead tools, tool belts and ancillary products. This means students can get ‘hands-on’ with real-life materials and equipment that the colleges otherwise couldn’t afford.

"Without the support we receive from Midland Lead, our apprentice students wouldn’t be able to practise working with lead itself... It is only by using the actual material that apprentices can learn best practice."

Chris Messenger, Tutor, Leeds College of Building

sustainable practice

Teaching sustainable practice to the next generation of roofers

Practical training with the only 100% recyclable building material is a valuable lesson in sustainability for roofing students. And they see the circular economy in action – at the end of each term, when the lead has been used by the colleges we collect the scrap and recycle it!

Educational tours of our manufacturing site

In addition to providing free material, we enjoy hosting students at our manufacturing plant to learn more about how cast lead sheet is made, and why it’s a durable, sustainable building material. Experiencing the manufacturing process in-person helps students appreciate how to handle and care for lead.

As a recent student from Leeds College of Building commented: ‘If you know the ‘how’ and ‘why’ behind the manufacture and treatment of lead, then you can give the product the quality of care it needs.’

During the tours, Team Midland Lead share practical advice on health and safety when working with lead sheet, as well as top tips for treating and installing lead products. We teach the students about ancillary products including fixing clips, patination oil and flexible lead slates. All this insider information helps ensure best practice is passed down to the next generation of skilled roofers. 

Background

"We share the same vision of the LCA and its members, to ensure there is continued investment in training and skills to develop roofers of the future"

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Kyle Hazeldine, Sales Director

partnerships

We continually invest in our partnerships

We enjoy working with colleges and industry partners to provide technical and practical advice on lead in all its applications. As Francoise Derksen, Managing Director at Midland Lead comments: ‘With more and more lead replacement products entering the market, it’s vital that students are educated on lead’s unique properties and its sustainable credentials. Introducing authentic lead products early in an apprentice’s career expands their skill set and secures a future for traditional lead work’.

Midland Lead has built relationships with many colleges and Roofing Training Groups around the UK, and we will continue to invest to make sure roofing students have access to lead.

Associate member of the LCA

Proud sponsors of the LCA Murdoch Awards

The LCA (Lead Contractors Association) is an independent organisation that endorses quality standards within the lead workers industry. Midland Lead is proud to be an associate member of LCA, and we’re even prouder to sponsor the coveted Murdoch Awards, which celebrate the highest craftmanship in lead roofing. 

The Murdoch Awards were created by the LCA in 1996, in honour of Dick Murdoch (a.k.a. ‘Mr Lead’) on his retirement. They were founded to mark his success in raising quality standards in lead-sheet work, part of which led to the founding of the LCA back in 1984. Today the Murdoch Awards are an important recognition of the incredible craftsmanship of professional lead workers. 

Looking for a lead training course?

Whether you’re a roofing apprentice, contractor or builder’s merchant, there are plenty of training courses across the UK on roofing or working with lead. Click on the map below to find contact details for a course near you.