Thatching Courses in the UK

At present there is only one course in the Country providing a National Qualification to the Thatching Industry. This is being run by Hereford College of Technology.

The programme is designed for new entrants to the trade and aims to provide a balanced mixture of practical experience to enhance the work carried out with the employer with intensive periods of residential thatching training.

The scheme is based upon twelve one-week courses carried out over two years. These are set out during the winter months (from October-April), when the days are shorter and the weather is likely to be more inclement.

Each module is part of a continuous programme of training in materials relating to the geographical area of the apprentice. An essential element of the course is to sustain regional traditions, techniques and styles. After an initial period of assessing the trainee's ability with the materials of their choice on basic coatwork, they then go on to work at more complex features on the roof.

At the end of the course there is an examination to test the trainee's general knowledge of the Industry.

The student can also register for an NVQ level 2 in Thatching with the Construction Industry Training Board. This requires verified site based work evidence and assessment to complete trade and generic construction units to achieve the award.

From the outset the trainee builds up a portfolio of their achievement in training and in work-based evidence, which after verification becomes their property and hopefully in time will become a career catalogue.