In June, the Langley Roofing Academy delivered its first London based Roofing Academy, giving 11 residents from Haringey and Enfield with little or no roofing experience the skills, qualifications and industry connections needed to begin a career in roofing.
Tony Silvestri, CEO of Langley spoke about why the academy was created: “With the average roofer now aged 54, attracting younger people into this industry isn’t optional, it’s urgent. This programme gives learners practical skills, real industry contact, and a genuine pathway into employment”
Hosted at United Colleges Group in Paddington from 15-19 June, the five-day programme combined practical roofing training with nationally recognised health and safety qualifications. By the end of the week, every participant had gained hands-on experience and industry-recognised certification.
The Power of Partnership
James Wilson, Principal of United Colleges Group, highlighted the value of collaboration between education and industry:
“When education and industry work closely together, young people benefit in ways that neither can deliver alone. Programmes like this create real routes into employment, and we hope others across the industry will take note.”
Local Backing
Langley is committed to supporting social value delivery and the academy forms part of the social value commitments linked to Haringey Council’s £570m Housing Investment Programme, which began in April 2026. Working with McConnell Group, one of four deliver partners, Haringey Works and United Colleges Group, Langley is helping create training and employment opportunities for residents while supporting the future skills needs of the construction industry.
“We will be providing 22 local jobs and 9,600 hours of employability support and training opportunities to local residents from Haringey and 7 local jobs and 30 training spaces for Enfield residents over the next five years. This is part of the social value commitments we are delivering under our contracts with both councils to deliver improvements to their council homes. This roofing academy, hosted by our supply chain partners Langley and United Colleges Group and in partnership with Capital College, Haringey Works and Enfield STEPS (employment providers), is an excellent first step for many local people towards a new career in the construction sector.” Julian Sanz, Social Value Director, McConnell
Building Skills and Confidence
The free programme covered roofing membranes, flat roofing systems, fire safety, asbestos awareness, liquid-applied systems, retrofit and net zero principles. We thank McConnells, Mattisons and Ridge Consulting for funding travel, workwear, lunch and PPE.
For one of our Haringey Council residents, Zak Huwew, the experience was overwhelmingly positive:
“The instruction was superb. They’re open to questions, and they’ve made the environment very friendly and comfortable.”
Connecting Learners with Employers
The week concluded with an Industry Day and certificate ceremony, where employers met graduates and discussed opportunities on live construction projects. Our first employment opportunity for one of our Enfield Council residents was offered by Mattisons Scaffolding, a fantastic outcome to end the week.
We welcomed Cllr Dixie-Ann Joseph, Cabinet Member for Placemaking at Haringey Council, to meet the graduates and present the certificates at the ceremony:
“I was delighted to attend the award ceremony, we’re very pleased to be working with all parties through our housing contract and supporting residents to gain exciting new opportunities.”
What’s Next?
The London academy marks the beginning of a regular programme rather than a one-off initiative. Langley is now supporting learners into employment and work experience through its contractor network, with further cohorts planned for September and November, alongside plans to expand training through local pop-up hubs across the UK.
