Roofing skills shortage prompts training materials donation

By Danny BallPublished On: June 4th, 2026Categories: Top Stories

Russell Roof Tiles has donated more than £6,000 worth of roofing materials and accessories to Construction College Midlands as concerns continue over skills shortages across the housebuilding and roofing sectors.

The donation will provide apprentices at the Birmingham-based training centre with access to a range of roofing products used on residential construction projects, supporting practical training in roof installation and system compatibility.

Construction College Midlands delivers training and qualifications across several construction disciplines, including roofing, bricklaying and scaffolding, and works with apprentices employed by roofing contractors across the UK.

Industry continues to face roofing labour shortages

The move comes as construction businesses continue to report difficulties recruiting skilled tradespeople, particularly within specialist sectors such as roofing.

Recent industry surveys have highlighted ongoing shortages of experienced roofers, with many contractors reporting challenges in attracting new entrants into the profession.

Russell Roof Tiles said the donation followed discussions with the college about the need for training materials that would allow apprentices to gain hands-on experience with complete roofing systems.

Daniel Hancox, Corporate Sustainability & Development Director at Russell Roof Tiles, said: “We wanted to support Construction College Midlands and make a difference to today’s roofing workforce and the future generations.

“When visiting the site, the team highlighted their need for roofing materials and full roof compatible systems to demonstrate to the apprentices the importance of getting product choice right first time, and the correct way to use and install these products together.”

Training providers under pressure to support future workforce

The donation includes Russell Roof Tiles’ Bute3 tile and accessories range, natural range tiles, underlay and ridge tiles.

Construction College Midlands said the contribution would reduce pressure on training budgets and allow resources to be directed towards other areas of the facility.

Arthur Jevons, Site Manager at Construction College Midlands, said: “We are delighted to receive the comprehensive roofing product package from Russell Roof Tiles.

“Donations such as this allow us to continue to train our apprentices to the very highest standard and support the UK’s rapid housebuilding rollout.”

Skills development remains a key industry challenge

Skills development continues to be a major issue for the construction sector, with industry bodies regularly warning that labour shortages could affect the industry’s ability to meet future housing and infrastructure targets.

Alongside external training initiatives, Russell Roof Tiles operates its own Training & Innovation Hub, which is used by roofing contractors and construction professionals for practical skills development and product training.

The company also recently hosted training activities in partnership with the National House Building Council (NHBC) as part of wider efforts to support workforce development across the roofing sector.