Ten of the country’s best roofing apprentices are gearing up for the two-day final that will see one of them awarded the title of Redland Apprentice of the Year.

The winner will receive a £1,000 cash prize and a lifetime of free-of-charge courses at the Redland National Training Centre.

They have been selected from building colleges throughout England and Wales.

The competition is part of a strategy by Redland to address the challenges faced by the industry in meeting the ambitious government housing targets. The sector must recruit 700,000 more people to replace those retiring or moving on, plus an extra 120,000 if the government’s aim to build one million new homes by 2020 is to be achieved.

The final takes on 27 and 28 June at the Redland National Training Centre. Finalists will receive professional coaching on all aspects of running a roofing business – including business planning, presentation skills, and technical skills – before being assessed.

The 10 finalists in the Redland Apprentice of the Year competition are:

  • David Crank, Stanley, County Durham. Training with Newcastle College and apprentice to Hodgson Sayers.
  • Thomas Knight, Truro, Cornwall. Training with South West Roof Training Group and apprentice to Wheeler Roofing Services.
  • Kieran Langhan, Selby, Yorkshire. Training with Leeds College of Building and apprentice to David Langhan Roofing Contractor.
  • Gavin Metson, Chelmsford, Essex. Training with Eastern Region Roof Training Group and apprentice to Avonside.
  • Ben Kearns, Stoke-on-Trent. Training with NCC Midlands and apprentice to Novus Property Solutions.
  • Ceiran Peel-Price, Irby, Wirral, Merseyside. Training with Bolton College and apprentice to Les Perry Roofing Contractors.
  • Liam Smy, Ipswich, Suffolk. Training with Eastern Region Roof Training Group and apprentice to Scofield and Lait.
  • Joe Stradling, Frome, Somerset. Training with NCC South and apprentice to West Country Tiling.
  • Moy Trott, Tonypandy, Wales. Training with Wales National Roof Training Group and apprentice to Trottsco.
  • Ollie Young, Bath. Training with Cornwall College and apprentice to Young’s Roofing.