Introducing a New Generation to a Career in Roofing

By Cass Jacoby, RCS Reporter. 

Learn how the new NRCA/NCCER apprenticeship program is making huge strides for the future of this industry in a new Coffee Conversation. 

Join RCS President Heidi Ellsworth as she sits down with leading roofing professionals to look at how National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) and local roofing professionals are working with the National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) to establish more workforce development. 

Head coach of KPost Roofing & Waterproofing Steve Little has been in the roofing industry for most of his career. He starts the conversation by talking about what NCCER offers for future workers looking to enter the industry. “The NCCER offers a format that allows for a career path for trade school kids, as well as high school kids, as well as folks that have been in other trades that want to learn the roofing trade to follow,” explains Steve. “And it's so cool that the NCCER and the NRCA got together and they said, ’If we're going to do this, let's use the National Roofing Contractors Association's standard for technical.’” 

Developing and training future roofers is vital to industry as a whole. “Prior to working with NRCA, I actually worked for NCCER. I helped them develop this new roofing curriculum that we're going to be talking about,” says John Esbenshade, the director of workforce development at NRCA. “When we were talking about building a program from scratch, something that was going to be important to what the industry was trying to do in the future, I was very honored to be project manager of that team.” 

NCCER recognizes that there is a sincere need for apprenticeships within the industry, and that these programs not only fuel the industry’s need for more skilled labor, but offer a fantastic opportunity for future generations to find the career of their dreams. 

 “My ambition right now is to help young people find their foot in the door,” says Henry Staggs, NCCER master trainer, also with the Arizona Roofer and also the upcoming Arizona Roofing School. “I want to make sure future roofers can become productive, earn a good living, have a nice career path in front of them and not have to suffer through a lot of the injuries and indignities that we can suffer if we don't have proper training." 

Read, Listen or Watch the entire Coffee Conversation for more insight on the program and how it is helping the future generation of skilled workers find their way to roofing.