From Kings Norton to Ponferrada – roofing apprentices enjoy professional development trip of a lifetime

Two roofing apprentices training at Construction College Midlands have described a professional development trip to explore one of the largest natural slate quarries in northern Spain as ‘eye-opening’ ‘meaningful’ and ‘unforgettable’.

Louis Fisher and Michael Linehan were the guests of building material company, Cupa Pizarras and went on an all-expenses-paid three-day visit to their headquarters based in the Ourense region in northern Spain.

Accompanied by roofing lecturer, Andrew Jackson the students saw for themselves the production of slate on a massive scale. They observed how stone is extracted from the ground, selected and hand-split ready for transport to roofing markets around the world.

Michael works for Birmingham-based Fortum and Louis for Brand New Roofing in Banbury. They were recommended for the trip by their tutors in recognition of their exceptional standard of work and commitment to their training over the last academic year.

“The apprentices and I gained a lot from this visit, not least a much bigger appreciation of the intensive work that goes into slate mining and distribution,” said Andrew Jackson.

“It was particularly useful for Louis and Michael to meet others and discuss different uses of slate by the British and Spanish as well as the technical differences in the way we work with the product. Both are approaching the end of their roof slating and tiling apprenticeship standard and this excellent experience has enhanced their knowledge and will support their further professional development in the years to come.”