Inspiring the next generation of roofers

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how NRCA is supporting students like Shelton Horton’s interest in the roofing industry. 

The term “labor shortage” has become very familiar for professionals working in the roofing industry. There are reports that many companies are having to turn down jobs due to lack of labor and the demand for roofers is only expected to increase in the next few years. In response to this need, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has made workforce development one of their key initiatives.  

What NRCA is doing for the future of roofing labor 

NRCA has multiple programs and operations working towards addressing the need for more skilled labor in roofing. Here are some examples of the work they do:  

• CTE schools: NRCA works closely with career and technical education schools around the country to ensure they have the training resources needed to teach students about the roofing industry.  
• SkillsUSA: Through a partnership with this nationwide skill and leadership organization, NRCA is helping encourage and reward interest in the professional trades. 
• Recruitment tools: From handouts and videos to wage factsheets and customizable job descriptions, NRCA has created a library of recruitment resources of roofing companies. 

Overall, NRCA’s role is coordinating the “energies of roofing contractors, manufacturers and local/regional associations to create a viable, interested talent pool for the roofing industry.” 

Meet Central Georgia Technical College’s Shelton Horton 

Shelton Horton from Warner Robins, Georgia is a great example of the power of these workforce development programs have. Shelton is in his final semester studying construction management at Central Georgia Technical College and recently made headlines for competing in the Georgia SkillsUSA Commercial Roofing Competition.  

This year’s competition was the first year that Central Georgia hosted SkillsUSA and Shelton was one of four competitors. Their task? Building a commercial roof like you would on a real job site. Shelton shared some thoughts about the experience, saying, “I stayed up in class, did a lot of training — heat welding, laying it, cutting — a lot of things after class... It was a lot of work but seeing something from start to finish kind of just changes the perspective on everything, makes it rewarding.” 

Ultimately, Shelton’s positive experience at both Central Georgia and the SkillsUSA state competition show how important CTE schools and other workforce development programs are for introducing roofing as a career to students. By supporting these types of programs, NRCA hopes to help people understand the rewarding careers that await them in the trades. As Brandon Elam, director of career services at Central Georgia Technical College, put it: 

There are a lot of job openings in roofing that pay above the average pay, it’s a livable wage. [Further, there’s] a lot of growth available in those pathways. You can start out working for someone else but easily become your own entrepreneur over time. [It’s a great opportunity].  

Learn more about SkillsUSA, CTE schools and other workforce development programs at www.nrca.net/workforce-development.