Raising the bar on training

Is it possible that those in the roofing trade are becoming less proficient? Rock certainly believes that such a danger exists. The reason could be that, in recent years, our industry has witnessed the launch of a wide range of new products that certainly have important applications, but which entail a much lower degree of skill.

“Not so long ago, mastic asphalt teams were highly trained,” explains John Walsh, our managing director. “You had to undergo a full apprenticeship and would spend many hours on construction sites to gain direct, invaluable experience of the trade. Getting your hands dirty was central to the whole learning process.”

John feels strongly that although many of the new roofing products have clear benefits, the relatively limited levels of skill they demand have inadvertently brought about a gradual ‘dumbing down’ throughout our profession. That’s a tendency which Rock is now actively working to reverse.

How? By insisting that all Rock’s site staff are NVQ-qualified to the level required of each trade. A National Vocational Qualification is a 'competence-based' credential with an emphasis on learning practical, work-related tasks designed to help develop the skills and knowledge needed to do a job effectively.

John Walsh recognises that one of the advantages of NVQs is that they can be completed at a pace which suits the needs and available time of each person. “Not only are they suitable for our fully employed site personnel, but also those studying at college who have a part-time job or work placement at Rock.

“For me, their value lies in the fact that an assessor will observe you and question you about the real work you carry out in the workplace, and will test your knowledge and understanding as well as your actual performance. Ultimately, that’s good for clients and good for business. Rock is committed to leading our industry with regard to NVQ training and promoting a revival in the traditional skills and craftsmanship associated with roofing.”

Safety day with Dramanon

At Rock, we credit much of our success to our excellent reputation with regard to Health and Safety. Rock’s business ethos is one that seeks to continually develop a holistic attitude towards Health and Safety, rather than simply an understanding. There are many ways to help promote such a mindset. One of the more entertaining involved our recent “safety day” in collaboration with the company Dramanon.

Dramanon was established in the 1990s and is a leading provider of drama-based training in the UK. As well as those like ourselves in the construction industry, Dramanon’s clients include law firms, retailers, pharmaceutical companies, Police and Fire services, Councils and NHS Trusts. Activities range from role-play, forum theatre, assessment, evaluation and consultation through to DVD production alongside conventional training models.

For many of us at Rock, experience in drama has gone little further than milling about on stage years ago as an extra in a school production. So it was perhaps with some trepidation that we found ourselves preparing for a day with Dramanon. But there was absolutely no need to worry. The team at Dramanon quickly put us all at ease before engaging us in their excellent course in Health and Safety Management. This is an area in which they have much experience, as they have participated in nationwide events for the Health and Safety Executive on the dangers of exposure to workplace Noise and Vibration.

In all, our designated Safety Day with Dramanon proved stimulating, enlightening and a great deal of fun. Though we all got fully into the spirit of the event, it’s unlikely that our skills as thespians will ever see us giving up waterproofing and renewable technology in exchange for a life treading the boards. Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dame Judi Dench can sleep peacefully!