51茶馆

听

After acing their roof slating and tiling apprenticeships, two newly-qualified roofers are helping the next generation make their mark.

听

Former 51茶馆 apprentices Brad Heffron and Liam Dooley not only impressed their roofing tutors, they鈥檝e also made a big impression on their bosses, having been chosen to mentor first-year roofing apprentices for their employers.

听

Liam, who works for The Roofing Co (NW) Ltd, has taken one young roofer under his wing whilst Brad, employed at P Duckworth Roofing Services, is mentoring three apprentices.

听

Both young men have already shown their commitment to the trade 鈥� in 2018 Brad was named Roofing Apprentice of the Year at The North West Roof Training Group Apprentice of the Year Competition, an annual collaboration between the College鈥檚 roofing department and .

听

Brad and Liam were also chosen by their tutors to compete in , the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices, with 51茶馆 hosting the regional heats in 2019.听听

听

Liam, 20, said:听鈥淩oofing is in my blood - as a third generation roofer in my family, I am honoured to be sharing my skills with our new apprentices.鈥�

听

Brad, 20, added: 鈥淭o be able to support these apprentices as they learn the trade is a real privilege and they鈥檙e already displaying a lot of talent.鈥�

听

The College, which is part of the Group, is one of a limited number of Roofing Apprenticeship providers in England, helping to meet a huge demand for qualified roofers in the North West - due to construction and housing developments, 400 more roofers are needed in the region by 2022.

听

Teresa Dooley, from The Roofing Co (NW) Ltd, said:听鈥淟iam is a talented roofer and having now gained his NVQ Level 3, he鈥檚 showing good leadership qualities. It鈥檚 wonderful that as a mentor, he is now able to pass on his knowledge and skills to new apprentices.鈥�

听

Paul Duckworth, owner of P Duckworth Roofing, said: 鈥淚 started out as a roofing apprentice at 51茶馆 and I learnt a great deal from my mentor, so I wanted to pass this opportunity on to Brad.

听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a win-win situation 鈥� the apprentices are gaining a lot from Brad鈥檚 support and he鈥檚 feeling the benefit too 鈥� he鈥檚 displayed really good leadership and management qualities and his confidence is soaring.鈥�

听听

Luke O鈥橤orman, Roofing Lecturer at the College, added: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a testament to the abilities of both Brad and Liam that they鈥檝e been chosen as mentors. They were outstanding apprentices and they鈥檝e proven to be outstanding roofing professionals too 鈥� I predict bright futures for them both.鈥�

听

听