A fully funded, five-day roofing course for complete beginners aged 16 and over runs from 15–19 June 2026 at United Colleges Group, offering core roofing skills, accredited health and safety training and a direct line to employers, with travel support for Haringey and Enfield residents.
The construction sector's skills shortage is most acute at the entry point: not enough new people are stepping onto site for the first time. The Langley Roofing Academy 5-Day Practical New Entrant Course is built to address exactly that gap, giving people with no prior experience a structured, no-cost route into roofing and the wider construction industry.
Delivered at United Colleges Group in partnership with McConnell Group, the programme is open to anyone aged 16 or over who wants to break into the trade. No experience is required, and the course is fully funded, removing the cost barrier that often stops new entrants before they start.
By the Numbers
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Course length | 5 days |
| Dates | 15–19 June 2026 |
| Venue | United Colleges Group |
| Minimum age | 16+ |
| Experience required | None |
| Cost to learner | Fully funded |
| Applications close | 29 May 2026 |
| Travel support | Haringey and Enfield residents (via McConnell Group) |
What the course covers
The five-day programme is practical and employer-focused, equipping learners with:
- Core roofing skills — hands-on training in the fundamentals of the trade
- ROSPA-accredited Health & Safety — recognised certification that travels with the learner
- Specialist system training — exposure to specific roofing systems used on site
- Direct engagement with employers — face-to-face contact with companies actively hiring
- Clear routes into apprenticeships and employment — a defined next step, not a dead end
That last point is what separates a genuine entry route from a short taster. The course is designed to connect learners directly to apprenticeships and jobs, rather than leaving them with a certificate and no obvious destination.
Removing the barriers to a first step
Two practical barriers usually stop new entrants: cost and travel. This initiative tackles both. The course itself is fully funded, and McConnell Group is providing travel support for residents of Haringey Council and Enfield Council, recognising that getting to and from training is a real obstacle for many people trying to enter the industry.
The partnership model behind the course (a manufacturer-backed academy, a further education college and a contractor working together with local authorities) is a useful template for how the sector can widen its intake. It pairs the training infrastructure of a college with the employer demand and site reality that turns a course into a career.
| Expert Verification & Authorship: Mihai Chelmus Founder, London Construction Magazine | Construction Testing & Investigation Specialist |
