Do you want to become a Thatcher? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:
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Thatchers roof, re-roof and repair thatched property.
A master thatcher working alone will take about eight to ten weeks to thatch an average-sized roof.
The work may involve early starts, late finishes and some weekends during the summer. Working hours are shorter in the winter. Thatchers work outdoors in all weathers. Most of their time is spent on ladders or scaffolding. Thatching is hard, dirty work and is very tough on the hands.
Salaries start at around £7,500 a year and can rise to over £30,000.
It is important for thatchers to have:
They also need to live in an area where thatching is in demand and to develop a knowledge of thatching materials and relevant regulations.
There are between 900 and 1000 thatchers in the UK. There is fierce competition for work. Most thatchers are self-employed.
The best way to enter thatching is to approach established thatchers to see if they are taking on trainees. Work experience can be a useful introduction to the trade.
Training is available through the New Entrants Training Scheme, operated by Herefordshire College of Technology. To join, entrants must have been employed with a firm in a rural area for at least six months and have a training agreement with an employer. The scheme is aimed primarily at people aged 16 to 25 years, but older applicants are considered if places are available. The training takes place at a specialist centre at Knutson Hall, Northamptonshire, and leads to NVQ Level 2 in Thatching (with the option to progress to Level 3).
Career progression involves building up a reputation, gaining more work and possibly improving skills by taking additional training courses.
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