ABC Roofing Apprenticeship Program in Florida Expands

By Advanced Roofing.

Advanced Roofing expands partnership with ABC and other contractors to open two additional Florida apprenticeship program locations.

Advanced Roofing made an investment in the future of the roofing industry with the launch of the American Builders and Contractors Association(ABC) Institute Apprenticeship Program in 2015.  A founding member of the program, ARI partnered with ABC Institute, an approved apprenticeship program provider of the Florida Department of Education, Department of Labor and the Department of Veteran Affairs, Benefits Division, to increase the talent pool of skilled roofers in South Florida.

Since 2015, a total of eight have graduated from the three-year apprenticeship program and committed to earning 144 credit hours per year.  Currently, there are 35 apprentices enrolled and meet n the evening to learn about construction basics and gain in-depth roofing knowledge that would otherwise take years of field experience to achieve.

After its successful inception, the program has expanded to Orlando and Tampa, also in partnership with ABC and other roofing contractors. 

“Trying to recruit people into the roofing industry has been difficult for a number of reasons,” said ARI President & CEO Rob Kornahrens.  “The starting salary for a roofing laborer is approximately $14 per hour and it takes three to five years to move up the ladder to Roofing Mechanic I with a teaching foreman/crew chief, and often longer without. Also, without unions in South Florida to provide training, formal training for roofing isn’t available, so individuals who are interested in construction learn on the job or through family members while other construction trades offer plenty of training opportunities. With the economy improving, we have seen a wage war between roofing competitors since there is a shortage of talent so we’re seeing an increase in rates to get the last skilled roofers.”

With the apprenticeship program, students have the opportunity to quickly become a Roofing Mechanic II or Leadman on the crew, with the potential to earn $26 an hour and with overtime, a career-earning $50,000 or more a year. Most importantly, it’s an opportunity to develop the next generation of roofing professionals.

To learn more about the ABC Roofing Apprenticeship Program contact careers@advancedroofing.com or call 954-522-6868 and visit their website.

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Original article source: Advanced Roofing