Leeds College of Building aims to repeat the double

Leeds College of Building (@WeAre_LCB) is hoping to repeat its previous success in one of the leading apprenticeship events in the sector: the BMI Apprentice of the Year 2021. Matt Ford and Oscar Miller were crowned the pitched and flat roofing BMI Apprentices of the Year as the 2019 competition ended in two days of intense scrutiny from a panel of industry-leading figures.

LCB roofing tutor David Mallory says:

“I encourage all our Second-Year apprentices to enter the BMI Apprentice of the Year (AOTY) because it takes everyone well outside their comfort zone and shows them some of the challenges they’ll meet when they’re qualified and working for a contractor.”

Previous winners and participants have gone on to start their own businesses, find more senior roles within the companies that employ them, represent industry trade bodies and even become tutors themselves. Matt Ford, now director of Bradford-based The Purple Roofing Company, says:

“The competition teaches you that there’s more to the business than just being a roofer. You realise that you’ve got to be able to present to the customer, understand where they’re coming from and that you’ve got to do more than put on a roof.”

While other competitions focus on the craft skill of roofing, the BMI Apprentice of the Year also examines the softer skills such as – marketing, finance and presentation – preparing the apprentice for a successful  career in roofing.

The competition is part of BMI’s active support for colleges throughout the UK in their work training roofing apprentices. The contest seeks to find the UK’s most promising apprentices and reward them for their commitment, ability and potential.  

This year’s competition opened on September 1^st and welcomes all those recognised as an apprentice by their employer, or those working towards qualified status. Each year, BMI  picks a theme for the competition and for 2021 it is  ‘influence’, and the company is looking for contestants who have what it takes to influence peers and those in the wider roofing community. Closing date for entries is October 1^st.

Entrants selected for the final, which takes place on November 17^th and 18^th at the BMI Academy in Gloucestershire, will receive coaching on a range of topics including presentation skills, health and safety, estimating and making technical assessments.

For more information and to enter BMI Apprentice of the Year, please visit either BMI Redland or BMI icopal.