Take your workforce challenges to D.C.

By Dani Sheehan. 

It’s easy to feel like workforce issues are out of your control. Roofing Day in D.C. offers a way to change that. 

Every contractor in the industry knows the reality: finding and keeping skilled labor is one of the biggest barriers to growth. You can invest in recruiting, raise wages and build strong crews, but some challenges go beyond what any single company can solve. By attending Roofing Day in D.C. the largest roofing industry advocacy event led by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) in partnership with sponsoring industry partners, you can bring the voice of your business directly to the people shaping the policies that impact your workforce. 

A seat at the table 

Roofing Day in D.C. is designed to give contractors a direct line to lawmakers. Through expert-led sessions, panel discussions and scheduled meetings with members of Congress, industry professionals can gain both the context and the platform to advocate for meaningful change.  

Just as important, it’s a chance to connect with other contractors who are navigating the same challenges – sharing ideas, strategies and solutions that go beyond policy. Bringing key crew members along can make an even bigger impact, helping develop future leaders in your company while reinforcing how policy decisions affect day-to-day operations. 

What the industry is asking for 

Workforce shortages continue to be top of mind for the industry and will once again be a priority topic in conversation with the legislature. We will be speaking with lawmakers about practical, bipartisan solutions aimed at strengthening the workforce: 

1. Expanding workforce pathways through immigration reform: Support for legislation like the Dignity Act focuses on creating legal pathways for individuals who are already contributing to the workforce. This could mean greater stability and access to experienced labor, while also strengthening compliance and long-term workforce planning. 
2. Creating flexible, market-driven visa programs: Proposals like the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act aim to better align workforce supply with real-time demand. This would allow companies to grow without being bottlenecked by labor shortages. 
3. Investing in Career and Technical Education (CTE): Increased funding for Perkins CTE State Grants is about building the next generation of skilled tradespeople. While trade school enrollment is rising, funding hasn’t kept pace. As an industry, we know firsthand that without strong training pipelines, the labor shortage will only get worse. 
4. Modernizing workforce training programs: Efforts like the Stronger Workforce for America Act are focused on making workforce development programs more accessible and effective. By streamlining bureaucracy and increasing collaboration between industry and education, these reforms can help you tap into better-trained, job-ready candidates. 

Turn challenges into action 

Policy decisions aren’t made in a vacuum. When you show up in Washington, D.C., you bring credibility and clarity to these issues. You’re able to share what it actually takes to run a company, support employees and serve your community. This is a valuable perspective to show lawmakers that workforce shortages are a barrier to building homes, maintaining infrastructure and supporting local economies.  

There’s still time to register for Roofing Day in D.C. this April 14-15, 2026. By attending, you’re not just investing in your business, but you’re also contributing to solutions that can strengthen the entire industry. And just as importantly, you’re showing your team, your peers and your policymakers that contractors are willing to step up, speak out and be part of the solution. 

Read more about how the roofing industry will support solutions to workforce shortages on the Hill this year. Plan your trip to D.C. today!