BURTON ON TRENT / AGILITYPR.NEWS / August 19, 2025 / Leading roof tile manufacturer Russell Roof Tiles, based in Burton on Trent is supporting the National Housebuilding Council (NHBC), the UK's largest independent provider of warranty and insurance for new-build homes, in its ambition to address skills shortages within construction.

Last month, representatives from SME builders, major housebuilders, and industry trade bodies were joined by the Minister for Skills, Jacqui Smith, for a roundtable on how to build the housebuilding workforce required by the UK. Hosted by NHBC and CITB, the discussion covered a range of issues affecting construction skills development.

NHBC is helping to tackle the UK’s house-building skills shortage with a £100 million investment in a national network of 12 multi-skill training hubs. These facilities will train 3,000 apprentices each year in key trades such as bricklaying, groundworks and site carpentry. Each hub will deliver immersive, hands-on learning in real-life conditions, ensuring apprentices are site-ready from day one.

NHBC backs the Government’s Construction Skills Package, which sees the Government investing £600 million in training providers and the industry working together, helping to equip thousands of people with the skills required to build quality homes. Strengthening the construction workforce to boost productivity and grow a more skilled and sustainable workforce. 

To support this, Russell Roof Tiles' expert in-house technical team is providing tailored training covering roof tile fixings, accessories, and site compliance to NHBC at sessions in England and Scotland over the next three months.

The new initiative is headed up by Technical Director Mark Parsons, who has worked closely with NHBC for many years on technical best practices. 

This guidance builds on Russell Roof Tiles’ recent investment in skills training, marked by the launch of its first Training & Innovation Hub. The new £100,000 facility is a dedicated site for research and development, focusing on evaluating and refining the technical aspects of roofing solutions - a core factor in the company’s ongoing success.

The new hub houses the firm’s growing technical team, as well as functioning as an innovation centre for product development with six modular roof rigs units, with pitched and vertical options. The custom-made rigs enable course delegates to experience 'hands-on' practical sessions with Russell Roof Tiles’ range of tiles and fittings, along with dry fix accessories.

This training covers how the products are manufactured as well as how they should be correctly installed. Theoretical training in the classroom covers topics including product awareness, roofing systems, correct fixing, British Standards and Building Regulations.

Mark Parsons, Technical Director at Russell Roof Tiles, comments, “We’re delighted to be supporting NHBC and its crucial work in investment in skills and training. We are pleased to be providing expert tuition on installing pitched roof tiles as well as dry fixing systems.”  

Darryl Stewart, Head of Commercial Services at NHBC, comments, “Sustained investment in training is essential to help the UK meet the Government’s ambitious housing targets. We are always exploring new ways we can work with partners to drive skills-based training and remain committed to driving quality across the industry.”

Russell Roof Tiles is a leading independent concrete roof tile manufacturer supplying products for national housebuilders and high-profile social housing and commercial projects. The company produces hundreds of thousands of tiles and related fittings and accessories every week that are used on pitched roofs across the UK.