A Brighouse-based energy efficiency specialist has launched the UK’s first Eco-Roof apprenticeship scheme.
The move by Ploughcroft comes in response to a record-breaking first half of the year as consumer demand for energy saving home improvements continues to soar.
The firm has designed the pioneering scheme to provide apprentices with the skills and knowledge required to succeed in the fast-growing energy efficiency industry.
As part of a two-year apprenticeship, the course will offer a mix of on-the-job training and classroom-based learning which will cover traditional roofing, as well as a wide range of energy-efficient construction techniques required to meet the needs of this fast-growing eco construction sector.
Successful apprentices will undertake a foundation slating and tiling course through the long-established Leeds College of Building, while Ploughcroft will deliver the Eco-Roof element of the course on-site, teaching heat loss, U-values and thermal efficiencies.
Chris Hopkins, managing director at Ploughcroft, said: “Over the past 12 months, we have seen a rapid growth in our Eco-Roof business as energy prices continue to rise and customers become increasingly clued-up when it comes to greener living and the impact it can have on their energy bills.
“We are now in the position where we need to expand the team to cope with this demand. There was no existing apprenticeship scheme in place that covered the type of specialist work we carry out, so we’ve created our own using my professional teaching and roofing assessor qualifications.
“It is a national first and will offer students a unique opportunity to really get under the skin of our industry, which is fast-growing, dynamic and exciting.”
He said: “Today’s apprentices are the people who will drive the energy efficiency industry forward in years to come and as such, we’re very keen to nurture such grass-roots talent.”
