How to Encourage Our Youth to Find Their Calling in the Roofing Industry

By Alec Doniger. 

Sherri Miles stresses the importance of sharing what a career in roofing can do for younger workers. 

Everyone has a purpose in life. For some people, it is teaching, for others it is going to college and learning a skill that they’re passionate about. It is important, however, not to forget that some people feel called to work in the trades, and this is something we must emphasize to our youth. In a recent episode of Roofing Road Trips, Heidi J. Ellsworth sits down with Sherri Miles to discuss the future of the roofing industry. Together, they hypothesize how we can teach our children about the benefits of going into trade work. A bright future for the roofing industry is essential – everyone needs a roof over their heads.  

Sherri Miles is a fourth-generation contractor for Miles Roofing. She is deeply involved in the roofing industry as a member of the NRCA and serving on their committees. Roofing is in her blood. “My companies have been around since 1910,” she says. “My great-grandfather started them here in Chesapeake, Virginia.” As someone so committed and passionate, she holds strong beliefs about how roofing will look years down the road.  

“What’s been the common theme throughout the country is the importance of post-secondary education,” Sherri explains. “Everybody needs to go to college, everybody needs to go into a ton of debt, that whole cycle.” She recognizes that not everyone needs to go down the same socially constructed path. “There's dignity in all work, whether you're a philosophy major or whether you're a plumber or a roofing contractor. Lean into your purpose-filled life.” 

Listen to the full podcast to learn more about the younger generation’s involvement in the roofing industry. 

Learn more about Miles Roofing in their RoofersCoffeeShop® directory or visit miles-roofing.com. 

About Alec 

Alec is a reporter for RoofersCoffeeShop, MetalCoffeeShop and AskARoofer. When he isn’t investigating the state of the roofing industry, you might find him playing drums with his bands in Denver.