Another excellent training course has been successfully completed at The National Construction Training Services (NCTS) centre at Hoddesdon.
The latest week-long training session in basic leadworking has received praise from the five delegates receiving instruction from highly skilled tutor Steve Sykes, himself a successful Dorset-based roofing company owner. They represent Fahey Roofing, D Cathesides, Skyline and Macwood Construction.
The five-day course begins with three days’ welding instruction and practical exercises, followed by bossing and on the final day, a lecture which incorporates the various methods of lead manufacture.
The final day also offers a 20-question examination which on successful completion, awards the delegates the Basic Competency Programme (BCP) qualification which is a step towards gaining the CSCS card.
Why is this course so popular? Steve said: “Basic leadworking is a useful additional skill for roofers to have, especially working on chimneys. It saves employers having to take on an additional leadworker to finish a slating or tiling job, so this course is perfect for them to send their roofers on.”
After their five days’ training, delegates are capable of going away and welding a chimney, and Steve says on-site practice makes perfect to gain confidence, experience and speed.
One of the five delegates on this course is Mark Barnes, who owns Macwood Construction. As an all-round builder he is keen to get more skills under his belt, even after 25 years’ experience in construction.
He found out about the basic leadworking course at last year’s Total Contractor exhibition in Twickenham, and won a free day’s training at NCTS by guessing how many copper nails there were in a jar!
“Steve’s tuition here at NCTS is second to none – there’s nothing he doesn’t know about lead,” he said.
“The exercises are perfectly graded; they get progressively more difficult as the course continues. All the delegates are from different backgrounds and there is a shared camaraderie. The facilities are excellent and I’ll definitely be coming back for further training.”
