A roofer works with waterproof coverings, insulation materials, slates and tiles to build and repair sloping roofs.

The Work

You could be:

• removing the old slates or tiles from a roof and making sure the roof timbers are sound
• measuring the area of the roof and calculating how many slates or tiles you need
• fitting roofing felt, waterproof coverings and insulation
• attaching wooden battens horizontally to the felt
• sorting slates according to size
• nailing slates or tiles to the battens, in an overlapping pattern, starting with larger slates at the lowest part and working towards the ridge
• trimming slates or tiles to get an exact fit
• using cement to fix tiles to ridges and to seal joints.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

There is a minimum wage for apprentices in Scotland. As of June 2019 the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) rates for a 4-year apprenticeship based on a 39-hour week are:

Year 1 – £200.46
Year 2 – £266.37
Year 3 – £334.23
Year 4 – £353.73 (with SVQ Level 2).

Please note these rates may vary if the Apprentice is 21 years old or over and has completed the first year of their apprenticeship. National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) will apply.

With experience and skills this can rise to between £10 and £20 an hour. You can earn extra through overtime and shift allowances.

Conditions

• You work outdoors in all weathers.
• You climb on ladders and scaffolding and work at heights.
• The working day begins early and varies according to hours of daylight with occasional lay-offs in winter.
• You would work around 40 hours a week, often doing overtime in the evenings and at weekends.
• You might have to travel a lot and spend some time away from home.
• You might wear a harness to attach you to the roof. You wear a hard hat and other protective gear.

Getting In

• The normal entry route is through a Modern Apprenticeship registered with the Scottish Building Apprenticeship Training Council (SBATC).
• You do not always need formal qualifications, but some employers ask for subjects at National 4 or 5 including English, Maths and a science or technological subject.
• You usually have to sit an aptitude test as part of the application process.
• A driving licence is useful and sometimes necessary.
• You must hold a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to work on a site. You must pass a health and safety test to qualify for this scheme.

Look for jobs with building contractors or roofing contractors.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2019

2000

0.4 %

RISE

2024

2009

  United Kingdom

2019

18603

2.3 %

RISE

2024

19035

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You need to have:

• a good head for heights and a good sense of balance
• an awareness of health and safety issues
• good practical skills, accuracy and an eye for detail
• a methodical approach
• the ability to read building plans and follow instructions
• good numeracy skills to work out numbers of slates or tiles needed
• You need to be able to work alone or as part of a team.

Training

• Training during an apprenticeship is mainly on the job with off the job training at college.
• You would work towards a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Roofing Occupations (Construction) at SCQF Level 6 and a PDA in Roofing at SCQF Level 6.

Getting On

• After gaining experience, you can move on to a supervisory job.
• You might move into management.
• You might specialise in working on historic buildings and churches.
• You might become self-employed.
• You may be able to work abroad.

Video

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.