Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB)

Designation of occupation

Roofer (m/f)
Recognized by ordinance of 13. May 1998 (BGBl. I, S. 918)

Duration of traineeship

3 years.
One third of the training time is devoted to one of two specialist areas:

• roof, wall and waterproofing technology
• reed-thatch roofing techniques.
  

The venues for training are company and vocational school (Berufsschule).

Field of activity

Roofers apply roofing, clad outside walls with various materials, seal surfaces on constructions and carry out repairs. They craft timber constructs, e.g. for roof frames and half-timbered walls, fit substructures and devices for removing surface water, install energy collectors and converters, e.g. solar panels and photovoltaic elements, in roofs and walls, and erect external lightning protection devices.

Occupational skills

Roofers carry out these activities independently on the basis of technical documents and instructions. They set up construction sites, plan the work sequences and take the measures necessary to ensure smooth-running operations and to protect health and safety. On completion they test the work carried out for sound workmanship, carry out a final check, draw up the list of materials used and clear the site. In so doing they apply the following skills acquired during the traineeship:

In the specialism roof, wall and waterproofing technology

• craft timber constructions for roof frames and half-timbered walls,
• apply thermal insulation,
• cover roof and wall surfaces with slate, shingles, corrugated sheeting and tiles,
• seal roof surfaces with synthetics and bituminous materials,
• seal wall and floor surfaces against ground moisture and non-pressing water with synthetics and bituminous materials,
• applying coverings made of sheet metal, build sub-constructions to accommodate claddings on outside walls,
• clad outside walls,
• make the structures and apply the layering systems to accommodate roof planting schemes,
• install devices for removing surface water,
• install devices for collecting and converting energy,
• install external lightning protection devices,
• repair roofs, walls and timber constructions.

In the specialism reed-thatch roofing techniques

• craft timber constructions for roof frames and half-timbered walls,
• apply thermal insulation,
• cover parts of roof and wall surfaces with slate, shingles, corrugated sheeting and tiles,
• process synthetics and bituminous materials for sealing surfaces,
• build sub-constructions to accommodate external wall claddings,
• process metals,
• reed-thatch level, vaulted, and curved roofs using various fastening techniques,
• install devices for removing surface water,
• install devices for collecting and converting energy,
• install external lightning protection devices,
• repair roofs, walls and timber constructions.
  

Last modified on: December 12, 2006