Building materials manufacturer Glidevale Protect is supplying its VP400 pitched roofing underlay for use in the 2025 SkillBuild competition, as part of its sponsorship of the Roof Slating and Tiling category.
SkillBuild, delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), is the UK’s largest multi-trade skills competition and includes regional heats leading up to a national final. The Roof Slating and Tiling element is run in partnership with the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC).
Glidevale Protect is providing its VP400 underlay for competitors to use during practical sessions. The 170gsm vapour-permeable product features a water resistance of over 7.0m head and unrestricted wind uplift performance across UK and Ireland wind zones (Zones 1–5) at a 345mm batten gauge, without the need for additional sealing tapes.
The inclusion of industry-grade materials such as VP400 gives participants the opportunity to develop installation skills on products commonly used in commercial and domestic roofing projects.
John Mellor, Head of Marketing at Glidevale Protect, commented: “As a business committed to supporting roofing professionals at every stage of their careers, we’re delighted to be involved in the SkillBuild competition. Encouraging young talent and helping to develop skills in roofing is vital to the future of the industry and by providing our Protect VP400 pitched roofing underlay, we’re ensuring that competitors get hands-on experience with high-quality materials that meet the demands of real-world roofing projects.”
Ben Rowlands, Technical Manager, Slating and Tiling at NFRC added: “SkillBuild is a fantastic opportunity for aspiring roofers to develop their craft in a challenging yet supportive environment. Practical experience is essential and by supplying products for the competition, Glidevale Protect is directly contributing to the future of roofing by ensuring trainees work with the type of materials they’ll use throughout their careers. It’s great to see manufacturers investing in skills development and supporting the next generation of roofers.”
Glidevale Protect’s involvement in SkillBuild follows ongoing collaboration with NFRC, including previous product donations for training exercises related to the 2024 IFD World Championship of Young Roofers. The company became an NFRC member in 2023 and continues to engage with colleges and training providers on skills development initiatives.
The 2025 SkillBuild competition aims to raise standards and showcase technical excellence across construction disciplines, with roofing remaining a key focus area due to ongoing demand for skilled labour in the sector.
