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L2Apprenticeship5181 approved provider
The Level 2 Roofer, and the 1 provider delivering it.
Installing a range of roofing materials and products.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices learn to install roofing materials at height across domestic, commercial, and new build projects. Training covers interpreting drawings, measuring materials, and calculating quantities accurately. The apprenticeship has three specialist routes: Roof Slater and Tiler (slate and tile coverings on new and existing buildings), Waterproof Membranes Installer (applying protective membranes to flat roof structures), and Roof Sheeter and Cladder (metal sheet roofing and wall cladding on commercial buildings). All routes include safe working at height and correct use of roofing tools and equipment.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Work varies by route and project. A slater and tiler might spend a week on a housing development fixing battens, laying felt, and cutting and fixing slate or tile. A membranes installer works with torch-on or cold-applied systems on flat commercial roofs, preparing substrates and ensuring watertight finishes. A sheeter and cladder fixes metal roof sheets and flashings on warehouses or industrial units. Across all routes, apprentices read drawings on site, handle materials safely, work alongside experienced roofers, and move between jobs as each project completes.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship leads to roles such as qualified roofer, roofing operative, or specialist installer within the chosen route. Experienced roofers often progress to leading a small crew, moving into a working foreman position, or setting up as a self-employed contractor. Some progress to Level 3 supervisory qualifications. Employers range from small specialist roofing contractors to large construction firms working on housing developments, commercial builds, and public sector refurbishment programmes. Demand is consistent across the UK, particularly on new build housing and building maintenance contracts.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
CITB
Employer: 3.0
The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) is the sector skills body for construction in Great ...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Completing this apprenticeship typically leads to a role as a qualified Roofer, with your specific title shaped by the option taken. Roof Slater and Tiler graduates move into positions on domestic repair and new-build projects. Waterproof Membranes Installers work as Flat Roofers or Membrane Roofing Operatives. Roof Sheeter and Cladder completers take on Sheeting and Cladding Operative roles on commercial builds. All three routes lead to working unsupervised on site and taking responsibility for your own section of a job.
Progression paths
With a few years of post-qualification experience, roofers commonly move into Senior Roofer or Lead Operative roles, taking responsibility for a small crew and liaising directly with site managers. The 3-5 year mark is also when many pursue NVQ Level 3 qualifications, supervisory training, or a move into self-employment as a subcontractor. Longer term, experienced individuals progress to Roofing Supervisor, Contracts Manager, or Estimator. Those with an interest in training can move into assessor or mentoring roles within apprenticeship programmes.
Where these roles sit
Roofing operatives are employed across a wide range of construction settings. Roof slaters and tilers work for specialist roofing contractors on private housing, social housing, and heritage or retrofit projects. Waterproof membranes installers are in demand with flat-roofing specialists serving commercial property owners, local authorities, and housing associations. Sheeting and cladding operatives tend to work for larger contractors on industrial units, warehouses, and public sector buildings. Both SME roofing firms and large principal contractors hire across all three options.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place on the job, with the apprentice developing practical skills across roofing work while employed by their employer. Assessment covers the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the chosen option, whether that is slating and tiling, waterproof membranes installation, or roof sheeting and cladding. Before final assessment, a readiness check (commonly called a gateway) confirms the apprentice has met the necessary requirements to proceed. Final assessment then verifies that the apprentice can perform competently in the role. Assessment models for many construction standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Throughout the apprenticeship, learners should keep clear records of the roofing work they carry out, gathering evidence from real jobs across the relevant tasks for their chosen option. Waiting until near the end to pull evidence together creates unnecessary pressure, so building a portfolio progressively is the practical approach. Regular reviews with the employer and training provider help to identify any gaps in experience early. Staying familiar with the knowledge and skills requirements for the specific option chosen means there are no surprises at the gateway stage.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Look for providers who offer practical, site-realistic training rather than classroom-only delivery. Because this apprenticeship involves working at height throughout, a good provider will have proper training facilities, including pitched roof rigs, flat roof sections, and appropriate fall-arrest equipment, and will be able to demonstrate that their training staff hold current Working at Height and CSCS-related credentials. On the FATP profile, an achievement rate above 65% is a reasonable baseline; above 75% is worth noting. Check that the provider delivers your specific option (slating and tiling, waterproof membranes, or sheeting and cladding), as not all providers cover all three.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider can only offer one of the three options but markets itself as a general roofer programme without being upfront about the gap. High learner volumes combined with a declining achievement rate in construction standards is a warning sign, as dropout in trade apprenticeships often points to poor employer-provider coordination or insufficient on-site support. If a provider cannot describe how they assess practical competency in the specific option you need, or gives vague answers about how off-the-job training is structured around site access, push harder before committing.
Questions to ask before you commit
- Do you deliver all three pathway options, and which one do you have the most learners completing?
- What does your off-the-job training facility look like for this trade, and can we visit before signing up?
- How do you coordinate with the employer when an apprentice is moving between sites regularly?
- What is your current achievement rate for this standard, and how has it changed over the last two years?
- How do you handle the Working at Height and health and safety elements, and what qualifications do apprentices gain alongside the standard?
- What support do apprentices get if they are placed with a small contractor who cannot always release them for training?
- Can you put us in contact with an employer who has recently had an apprentice complete your programme?
Common questions
What are the entry requirements for a roofer apprenticeship?
There are no nationally mandated qualifications to start this apprenticeship, but employers typically expect good literacy and numeracy, as you will be reading drawings and calculating materials. You must be physically fit to work at height and on site. Some employers set their own minimum requirements, so check with individual providers. Apprentices must be employed throughout, so you need a job with a roofing contractor before enrolment.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how does off-the-job training work?
The typical duration is around 24 months, though the actual length depends on your prior experience and how quickly you progress. You remain employed throughout and learn on the job alongside structured training. A portion of your contracted hours must be spent in off-the-job learning, covering theory and technical skills. Exact requirements are subject to change under current Skills England reforms, so check the up-to-date specification on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education page on gov.uk.
How is the roofer apprenticeship assessed?
Before taking the end-point assessment, you must pass through a gateway, where your employer and training provider confirm you have developed the required knowledge, skills and behaviours. The end-point assessment tests your competence in your chosen option, whether that is slating and tiling, waterproof membranes, or sheeting and cladding. Assessment methods for many construction standards are being updated, so check gov.uk for the current assessment plan before enrolling.
How does an employer pay for this apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £11,000, which is the maximum that can be drawn from the apprenticeship system to cover training and assessment costs. Large employers with a levy account use those funds directly. Smaller employers co-invest with the government, typically contributing 5 percent of the training costs. If you are an employer with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18, the government covers the full cost.
What does a roofer apprentice actually do day to day?
Day-to-day work is primarily on site, which changes regularly depending on the contract. Apprentices measure, cut and install roofing materials according to drawings and specifications, work safely at height, and use hand and power tools. Depending on the chosen option, they may be fixing slate or tile, applying waterproof membranes to flat roofs, or installing metal sheeting and cladding on commercial buildings. They also handle materials deliveries and keep work areas safe and tidy.
What can a roofer apprentice do after completing this apprenticeship?
Completing this apprenticeship leads to a recognised occupational qualification and eligibility for a CSCS card at the appropriate skill level, which is widely required on construction sites. From there, roofers can develop into supervisory or site management roles, or move into estimating and project work. Some progress to a Level 3 apprenticeship or other construction qualifications. Experienced roofers also have the option to become self-employed or set up their own contracting business.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 518.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.