BMI UK & Ireland has relaunched its National Training Centre – the UK’s first ever dedicated roof training centre – as the BMI Academy.
A multi-site operation, with its hub in South Cerney, Gloucestershire, the BMI Academy aims to deliver improved standards combining the company’s global training service and the introduction of new technology and techniques, including e-learning and live stream workshops.
Supporting stakeholders across the construction industry, the BMI Academy delivers training to architects, contractors, housebuilders, merchants and public authorities for both pitched and flat roofing. The aim is to provide a high level of collaboration with specification and site professionals – improving standards, understanding, and the use of new technologies and techniques.
Offering a mix of theory and practical courses, from CPDs [Continuing Professional Development accreditation] approved by RIBA to installation and estimating courses, the BMI Academy provides an opportunity to develop and improve knowledge or skills to those in the roofing sector at all levels.
For medium to large size firms, bespoke and mobile training services are available on demand, with BMI able to tailor courses to suit the company’s specific needs and run them ‘on location’ or at its own sites in Gloucester and Manchester.
As the drive to recruit more young people and professionalise the roofing sector continues, the BMI Academy also works in education to support those studying towards a qualified status.
Colleges and roof training groups ensure that the next generation of roofers join the trade with the required skill sets and practical experience, and the BMI Academy seeks to share its expertise with these learners through its college engagement programme – providing product and delivering training for new systems. It also brings together the UK’s roofing tutors at regular forums to discuss subjects such as common qualification revisions and changes to British Standards.
The company employs three full-time dedicated pitched and flat roofing trainers and delivers approximately 60 hours of training every week. Since opening in 1983, over 45,000 delegates have been trained at the centre – with 2,000 visitors being hosted in 2018 alone.
Mat Woodyatt, BMI technical training manager, explained: “By providing comprehensive and quality training in industry-leading facilities, we strive to serve both our customers and the sector as a whole; and this philosophy applies worldwide across the Group, hence the shift to being an Academy – reflecting our drive to be a centre of excellence – along with our other co-facilities in the business.
“By developing and maintaining a skills base, we can help to ensure that roofing flourishes as a sector – and also achieve the high-quality design, installation and workmanship which the sector strives to deliver.”
