Roofer

As a roofer you ensure roofs keep water out and heat in. You work with flat and nearly flat roofs on everything from residential buildings to schools halls and industrial buildings where you lay roofing felt membranes and insulation. When you are fully trained you are the craftsperson who stands between the building and the weather — literally at the very top.

A typical day takes place on a roof where you lay insulation, roll out roofing felt and weld or glue the strips together so the roof is completely tight. You work with heat with details around edges, penetrations and drains and you must be able to oversee an entire roof surface so water always runs where it should. It is physical work in fresh air often at height.

• 01You learn to lay roofing felt, membranes, and roofing materials.
• 02You learn to insulate roof surfaces correctly
• 03You learn to seal around edges, drains, and penetrations.
• 04You learn to ensure water is directed away without pooling.
• 05You learn to read drawings and plan a roofing task.
• 06You learn to work safely at height and with hot materials.

You start with a basic course at a vocational school and then find an apprenticeship in a roofing company, where you get paid while learning the trade. The education alternates between school periods and practice so you test the theory on real roofs alongside experienced journeymen.

As fully trained you can work in roofing and contracting companies become a crew leader with responsibility for a team or start for yourself. With experience you can specialise in for example green roofs or energy renovation and build further with courses in construction and working environment.

“When the rain pours down, it's the roofer's work that keeps people dry.”