Brussels hopes roofing course will bring new workers

The Brussels region has launched a new scheme to encourage as many young people as possible to pursue a career in sustainable construction, and in particular roofing.

"Hello Toit" (hello roof) is the hopefully enticing name of a sandwich course for roofers, promoted by Brussels region as part of its Renolution strategy for energy renovation of buildings in Brussels launched in July 2022.

The aim is to help solve the recruitment problems of the building industry.

With Renolution, the government is aiming to treble the amount of jobs in the renovation sector by 2045, from around 16,000 today to 45,000 jobs.

The strategy has also been initiated with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and cutting average energy consumption of homes in Brussels by a factor of three by 2050. This will require a substantial number of qualified staff and Hello Toit hopes to meet this need.

With Hello Toit, a project that got off the ground this March, French-speaking young people can find out about the training required and how to work as a roofer, with a behind-the-scenes look at what could be their future profession.

The three-year training course will be provided by the EFP (Enseignement Formation Professional en Alternance) training centre in Brussels. This organisation offers teaching in schools in addition to working in the field.

“This is a unique opportunity to teach young people a meaningful trade that creates jobs and improves the daily lives of local people,” the capital’s environment management organisation Brussels Environment said.

“This training programme, which complies with compulsory schooling requirements, is the first in this field to be offered on a sandwich basis to young people in the Region.”

The training is open to 15 to 22-year-olds at an annual cost of €70, with participants also paid during their apprenticeship.

Two summer courses are also being organised from 8 to 12 July and 2 to 6 September 2024.

Brussels Environment added: “These courses, free of charge, give participants the opportunity to experience the trade in an almost real-life situation with company bosses that are looking for workers.”

Photo: David Shankbone/Wikimedia. Licensed under Creative Commons