A PROPOSED new Liverpool initiative to encourage roofing employers to consider recruiting unemployed people as operatives is appealing for help.
The scheme needs the urgent help of roofing contractors in the area to get in touch and express their willingness to offer jobs to individuals following basic training.
Recruitment Initiative
Funding has been secured for the initiative by the combined authority of the Liverpool City region (which includes Liverpool, the Wirral, Sefton, Knowsley, Rainford, Halton) to offer jobs to unemployed people in the area.
The City of Liverpool College has agreed to provide its facility for practical training plus classroom space for health & safety training. Industry support has already been pledged by Stewart Rowles at Manchester-based NCTS/ Master Roofers Academy who will offer a short roof slating/tiling course; Mark Dunn has offered support for flat roofing training; Mat Woodyatt from BMI has offered virtual reality training in site experience.
Fulwood Roofing, Rainford is the first employer to show interest.
The scheme is being spearheaded by Sue Wharton, Group Training Officer of the North West Roof Training Group.
Sue explains: “Working together, and showing commitment to our sector, we are asking those with businesses in the Liverpool area, or who are looking for labour in the area, to help, initially, by contacting us.
“Our first hurdle is to demonstrate that those of us in the roofing sector are all on the same side, share nthe same goals, and are prepared to consider every avenue in our search for new recruits.”