Local construction worker celebrates success

Local roofing apprentice, Tom Thompson, employee of A L King Roofing is currently celebrating his recent achievement at the national finals of the WorldSkills UK competitions, which took place at The Skills Show in Birmingham.

The competition is an opportunity to showcase the quality and calibre of UK skills, driving inward investment, productivity and job creation. Skills competition activity plays a vital role in making apprenticeships and technical training in the UK world class, and in accelerating young people’s career development. Tom gained second place in the competition and as a medal winner, can count himself as one of the very best in the UK in his chosen skill.

Andy King, managing director of A L King Roofing and pictured presenting Tom with his prizes said, ‘’I am extremely proud of what Tom has achieved. He joined the company after a career in the armed forces and has shown a dedication to his training and preparing for the competition. This also needed to fit around his employment commitments.

“A thank you should also go to the South West Roofing Training Group which delivers the specialist applied-skills programmes on behalf of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB).  I currently have four lads about to finish their apprenticeship programme and gain an NVQ Level 2, with a further three recruited recently and due to start their training in January. It is vitally important that local young people and those seeking second careers are aware of the opportunities within the roofing industry and the level to which they can aspire.’’

A L King Roofing is based in Melksham and is approved as a training centre for CITB’s specialist applied-skills programmes in slating & tiling and sheeting & cladding, plus it is an accredited centre for delivering the Lead Sheet Association’s courses in lead welding and bossing.

A whole range of other classroom-based training also takes place at the premises, including health and safety training (e.g. working with non-licensed asbestos, working safely at height, fire warden, emergency first aid at work, manual handling, etc) as well as technical and management training.

If you are a local contractor wishing to find out more about the training that is available or a young person keen to enter the roofing / construction industry, please contact Chris Wittcomb, A L King’s health & safety and training co-ordinator.