THE National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) is set to host an AI-powered skills forum next month.
Delivered in partnership with the Liquid Roofing and Waterproofing Association (LRWA), the Single Ply Roofing Association (SPRA), the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC), the Rooflight Association (RA), and the Green Roof Organisation (GRO), the event is aimed at the roofing and cladding supply chain and open to anyone with a stake in recruitment, retention, and training.
Powered by Natter, an AI conversational intelligence platform, the forum will enable participants to anonymously share challenges, exchange ideas, and contribute to the creation of a practical Action Plan Template for businesses. This template will provide advice for workforce expansion and guidance to assist and encourage roofing and cladding companies that may be hesitant about taking on new recruits.
“Recruitment is one of the most pressing challenges across the roofing and cladding industry,” said Gray Gibson, NFRC policy officer. “This forum offers a safe space to openly share experiences and frustrations, while building solutions together.
“By harnessing AI technology, we can anonymously capture honest perspectives, identify common barrier trends, and drive collaboration to support both businesses and new entrants to our industry.”
The insights gained will be shared with all participants and used to strengthen cross-industry connections. NFRC revealed it has signalled its openness to working with other trade associations and industry bodies.
James Talman, NFRC group CEO, commented, “Our industry’s future depends on its people. By bringing the supply chain together in one forum, supported by advanced AI tools, we can better understand the real issues businesses are facing and co-create strategies to overcome them. Collaboration is key, no single organisation will solve the workforce crisis alone.”
The NFRC Skills Forum will take place online on Thursday September 25 from 2pm to 3pm and is free to attend. Participants will be able to contribute from anywhere using a computer or mobile device, with no downloads or software required.
Participants can register here: https://app.natter.co/event-public/1273990
