Sika Roofing partners with GLA Group to bridge construction skills gap

Sika’s UK roofing division has teamed up with training provider GLA Group to tackle the construction skills shortage and offer flat roofing skills to prisoners nearing release. 

The partnership kicked off in April 2024 after Mark Harris, head of sustainability – roofing at Sika, spotted a LinkedIn post by Andy Bird, director of GLA Group, about roofing training in prisons. 

Harris recognised shared values between Sika and GLA Group around social value and community impact.

Bird launched the GLA Group training centre in 2017 to address the shortage of skilled roofers. 

After learning two foremen in his own company had served time in prison, Bird saw the benefit of structured training in prisons to give men better job prospects. 

Sika has supplied free single-ply and liquid applied roofing materials and supported in-prison training at HMP Chelmsford and HMP Hollesley Bay, with plans to expand to other prisons in the UK. 

Trainers have also joined Sika’s internal courses so the same standards are used in prisons and with Sika’s contractor partners.

At HMP Hollesley Bay, learners replaced a leaking felt roof on a disused shed, converting it into an “Art Shack” for music and creative activities.