Blackpool-based JR Roofing Lancs has been recognised for its commitment to workforce development, after winning the Lancashire Business View Red Rose Commitment to Skills Award 2026.
The accolade highlights the company’s strong training culture and its wider efforts to support skills development across the roofing sector. Founded in 2016, Director Josh Morrison says the business took an early decision to invest in apprenticeships after struggling to recruit experienced roofers who met the required technical standards.
Rather than lowering expectations, the company focused on building its own workforce from the ground up. Today, JR Roofing employs a 12-strong team that includes both site-based and office-based apprentices, with training and upskilling embedded across the business.
Josh says operatives are being developed in a wide range of disciplines, including heritage roofing, slating and tiling, liquid systems and single ply. This is supported by structured mentoring, access to formal qualifications and mandatory health and safety training for all staff.
According to the award judges, the company stood out for its holistic approach to skills, combining technical training with a strong emphasis on wellbeing and industry engagement. They noted JR Roofing’s commitment not only to developing its own workforce, but also to supporting mental health and contributing to the wider education and training landscape.
Discussing the award win Josh explained: “From the start, we decided that if we wanted a skilled team, we had to build one ourselves. The roofing industry deserves to be taken seriously and that starts with proper training, strong mentorship and a clear path for young people into the trade. When you invest in people properly, standards rise and the industry’s reputation improves with it. Winning the Red Rose Award is a great achievement for our team.”
Beyond its internal training programme, the company plays an active role in promoting skills across the sector. Director Josh serves as Regional Director and Chairman within the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC), as well as sitting on national committees focused on skills and apprenticeship standards.
The business also works closely with colleges and training providers, delivering demonstrations in specialist roofing techniques to help raise awareness of career opportunities within the trade.
Josh says JR Roofing’s long-term aim is to help improve standards across the industry while creating clear and accessible career pathways for the next generation of roofers. The award win marks a significant milestone for the company, underlining the growing importance of structured training and industry collaboration in addressing the sector’s ongoing skills gap.