Roof technician

The Job  

As a roofing technician you will be vital to the running of a project, from start to finish. Based mainly in the office or factory, your job would include estimating costs and budgets, planning schedules and ensuring they are followed, drafting plans and details for craftspeople and assisting architects, builders and surveyors in the construction of a project.

The People  

To become a roofing technician you will need a strong knowledge of the roofing trade and good organisational and communication skills. You will need to work well as a part of a team and be competent in IT and designing. It is also helpful to have numerical skills for the calculations and estimations of budgets.

Entry Requirements

Most employers will require GCSEs (A-C) / Standard Grades (1-3) in Maths, Science and Technology, which will be helpful in the measurements, planning and theory training, although not always necessary.

You will also need to have achieved your NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Roofing to ensure you have the essential knowledge to train in a technician's post and then progress through the trade, working towards NVQ/SVQ Levels 3 and 4.

Training would be carried out on-site, and would include practical skills and desk-based work. You may be issued day release to college to complete your theory training.

You can also enter the industry at technician level, by achieving A Levels / Higher Grades and NVQ/SVQ Levels 3, 4 and 5 and plenty of industry training, at college or university. The Institute of Roofing (IOR) also offers qualifications including a Roofing Technician Management course.

The Benefits  

After qualifying as a roofing technician, there are opportunities to progress into more managerial positions, such as construction management. There are also possibilities to work all over the UK and abroad on a variety of different construction projects.

The annual income for a roofing technician starts at £14,500 and increases with experience and competence. As always, salaries are higher in London, and for self-employed professionals. For further information on salaries see professional institutions and industry press.