Pictured above: (l-r) Graham Allen (MP Nottingham North), Jason Wright (MD of J Wright Roofing), Jayden Newbury (Apprentice) and Kurtis Newbury (Apprentice)

The first ever dedicated roofing college for the East Midlands got the seal of approval from councillors, businesses and MP Graham Allen this week.

The Bulwell-based East Midlands Roofing College (EMRC) officially launched this week - and received massive support from educators, roofing firms - and the apprentices themselves who are gaining vital skills.

The college, the brainchild of Jason Wright - MD of J Wright Roofing - is already training 11 apprentice recruits and, in May, will welcome another dozen young people ready to learn roofing skills.

At the opening day, MP Graham Allen said: "I would do anything to have more people like Jason Wright across Bulwell. This college is the result of lots of hard work from a leader like Jason.

"This college will give more young people the right start to their careers. It will give them more opportunities to become qualified in the roofing sector. We need these skills for the future."

The college's Livia Williams said: "The college is already a great success. Not only do we have some talented, enthusiastic individuals being trained here, but we have more apprentices keen to learn their skills here. For every place we offer, 22 young people apply - which shows how important this college is."

Apprentice Kurtis Newbury, 20, was so keen to get a job with J Wright Roofing and apprenticeship at the college, that he approached Jason in the pub. Having left school age 16 with GCSEs in mathematics and English, he didn't know what he wanted to do.

He said: "I'm really enjoying the course so far. It's a really great opportunity and Jason is a fantastic mentor. My understanding of roofing is growing by the day. Seeing what Jason has achieved since he was an apprentice is a great way of seeing where we could be in 20 years. This is a long-term career for many of us here and we want to get as much as we possibly can out of this."

Jason came up with the idea for the college because he was so frustrated that his own young apprentices had to travel miles to a Birmingham roofing college.

He said: "It has taken three years to get to where we are today. We have had a great start, but we need the support of local roofing and construction companies to send their apprentices here for training. We need the support of employers, especially in the coming year. Apprenticeships are a crucial first step in the employment of young people. For every apprentice we take on, we have 16 applicants - that just shows there are youngsters that want an apprenticeship and want a job."

Despite the economic downturn, EMRC was built with financial support from J Wright Roofing and a £40,000 grant from the East Midlands NTI Catapulting Kids Further! Programme funded by the East Midlands Development Agency (emda).

Jason said: "Skills are the lifeblood of the roofing industry and we knew we had to play our part in keeping the industry alive. This is the first college of its type in the East Midlands. I was resolute that we needed this sort of training facility in the region."

The college offers apprenticeship training for 16 to 18 year olds and those who are 19 years and over. Any roofing company across the East Midlands can send their apprentices to the college for instruction in roof slating and tiling level 2, advanced apprenticeship in roof slating and tiling, heritage roofing apprenticeships level 2 and 3. The college is looking to establish the first Diploma in Roofing in the East Midlands.

The EMRC was built at the rear of Jason's own successful firm in Blenheim Industrial Estate, Bulwell. He and J Wright Roofing financial director and college co-founder Livia Williams worked tirelessly to make it happen and in January, the college opened its doors for the first time to 11 young people keen to start on roofing careers.

Jason, who himself started out as a roofing apprentice before setting up his roofing company in 1991,  and Livia are passionate about training and supporting young people. J Wright Roofing had been operating a successful apprenticeship scheme for more than 12 years. Over the past 15 years, J Wright has had around 30 apprentices - most of whom have stayed with the company.

As Livia says: "Roofing is a dying trade and if more isn't done to nurture young people and encourage them to take on roofing skills, the roofing industry will suffer."

The nearby Bulwell Academy is a partner and the college offers taster days and work experience free of charge to academy students in year nine, ten and 11. As well as its work with the academy, college representatives visit local schools to take part in assemblies and participate in career events and jobs fairs.

Livia is the training centre co-ordinator and there are two assessor/tutors, one administrator and one internal verifier. Livia has achieved the A1 assessor qualification and she is now working towards the Internal Quality Assurance Qualification.

The EMRC tutors/assessors started with J Wright Roofing at the age of 16 and went through the apprenticeship process themselves and gained level 2 and advanced apprenticeship.  "When the college was launched, they showed great interest in becoming assessors and tutors, and we knew they would be a role model to our students," says Livia. "They both did intensive training to becoming assessors - A1 assessor training - and the tutors gained the PTTLS teaching qualification."

The first group of apprentices are already several weeks into their courses and are looking forward to getting out on site to try roofing for real.

East Midlands Roofing College, (behind J Wright Roofing) Dabell Avenue, Bulwell, Nottingham, NG6 8WA.