SR Timber is proud to be a key provider of materials to NFRC for this year’s CITB SkillBuild. Ensuring the competitors are working with the highest quality materials in their heats, SR Timber has supplied their signature gold batten for use in each competition.
SkillBuild 2022 challenges the best up-and-coming apprentices from colleges across the country to put their knowledge and abilities to the test. From roofers to carpenters, the competition sets the challenge for apprentices to demonstrate what they have learnt. For the roofing apprentices, the 6-hour competition requires they install 5U felt, underlay and battens to receive plain tiles and bedded ridges according to instructions set. Judges monitor to ensure they are installing correctly during and at the end, evaluate competitors’ accuracy and ability to follow instructions.
Simon Dixon, Training Manager at NFRC spoke of the importance of quality battens in the competition: “It makes an enormous difference for the apprentices; having top quality battens gives them the best shot at doing well in the competition. The fact we’re still getting this level of support from suppliers and manufacturers despite all the warnings of stock shortages is incredible.”
Simon believes it goes even further in terms of the effect it has on the apprentices: “When you are working with quality materials, you can train the apprentices better and they understand the value it brings. This results in better work when they are out in the trade, so the benefit continues all the way through to being on site.”
SR Timber appreciate the crucial role that building and roofing colleges play in nurturing talent across the industry and in turn are keen to show their dedication to the apprentices and colleges. Therefore, supporting NFRC and SkillBuild is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate this commitment.
Speaking on the awards, Shaun Revill, Trading Director for SR Timber, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be supporting NFRC in the SkillBuild competition. SR Timber has held a long-standing association with NFRC so we were keen to contribute to the competition however possible.”
“I’ve grown up in the industry, so I know the value that learning and training with quality material brings” Shaun continues. “I wish the competitors the absolute best of luck across their heats, and I will be following each of the rounds through to the final very closely.”
