The power of apprenticeships: Luke and Dalton Roofing

By Emma Peterson. 

Luke’s story is just one example of how apprenticeships are opening doors for the next generation of skilled professionals. 

For many young people, facing the choice of what to do next after basic schooling can be overwhelming. There are seemingly endless possibilities, each leading towards a different life path. One valuable option that is too often overlooked is getting an apprenticeship.  

Apprenticeships are a unique blend of on-site work and formal assessment that prepare individuals to enter a trade as a skilled professional. National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC)'s Head of Careers, Ruth Scarrott, explained the importance of apprenticeships in an interview with ITN, “The amount of work versus the amount of people doing it for decades has caused a massive skill shortage. [By] giving real opportunity [to newcomers] through apprenticeships and roles that are meaningful, [we can] address the skill shortage [and] also give young people a fantastic career opportunity.”  

One such young person getting an incredible opportunity through an apprenticeship is Luke. Luke is completing an apprenticeship with Dalton Roofing and Leeds College of Building. In his role, he has the opportunity to build his skills alongside fully-fledged roofers. Luke shared, “My roles and responsibilities are to assist the roofer with either installing or repair roofs, to always follow H&S rules, to learn from the roofer and my mentor and to always keep jobs to a high standard.” 

Looking to the future, Luke is excited to keep learning. He told NFRC about his plans for when he completes his apprenticeship:  

My apprenticeship has given me the best start to my career, which I will always be grateful for. My skills and knowledge have developed vastly with all the training, and this helps me a great deal in my day-to-day work...My plan is to carry on building my knowledge and skills to become the best possible roofer that I can. 

And it’s not just Luke who is appreciating the apprenticeship. The team at Dalton, which includes Paul, the site manager, Philip, the owner, and Lev, Luke’s mentor, have been delighted to introduce their trade to the next generation. They shared, “As a business, we are incredibly pleased and proud of [Luke and our other] apprentices. Their enthusiasm, dedication and genuine willingness to learn stand out, and they continue to show a strong commitment to developing their skills and progressing within the roofing industry.” 

Interested in learning more about apprenticeships? NFRC has an entire directory of Training Providers to explore!