RISE Participant Using Program to Become a Construction Manager

By Amie L. Grant, WTI Education and Community Outreach Coordinator.

Tremco and Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc., not unlike other companies in the industry, have made it a top priority to get creative in addressing the labor shortage. 

One of the ways we are doing this is through the programs offered in our Roofing Individuals Succeed through Education (RISE) Initiative.  Employees have unparalleled opportunities to further their careers and their education by participating in RISE: they can earn their journeyman’s cards through our one-of-a-kind, nationally accredited apprenticeship program and work towards either an associate or bachelor’s degree in Construction Management through our partnership with The University of Akron.  Both of these programs are offered at no cost to our employees, there is no requirement to pay anything back at any time, or any obligation to commit to long-term employment.  The way we see it, by investing in our employees, we are investing in the future of the roofing industry as a whole.

I had a conversation with Hamzah Al-Jammal, one of our RISE success stories.  We first met Hamzah when we visited his school to talk to students in the Construction Trades about the career opportunities available in the roofing industry.  He joined the WTI team last year after he graduated, and while he has been gaining some great work experience, he has also been taking classes in our degree program to help him reach his goal of becoming a construction manager.

Amie:  What made you choose to attend a vocational school and what did you learn while you were there?

Hamzah:  In my high school career, I had the option to attend a vocational school called Polaris Career Center to learn something I liked for my junior and senior year. So, I chose to take that route and I took the Construction Trades for two years. We learned all the basics to electrical, plumbing, stick framing, drywall, etc. Some things I accomplished while attending include getting my 10-hour OSHA certification my junior year and in my senior year, I earned my 30-hour OSHA certification. I also learned how to operate and maintain a forklift.  

Amie:  What different areas have you been involved with so far since you came on board at Tremco?

Hamzah:  So far with my time in Tremco I have been able to experience a couple different positions within the company that really shows how everyone must work together to get the job done right the first time. In the beginning I started out in the headquarters working in the warranty department. That helped me learn a little about what our warranties cover. After that I got to work in the field and was working on the roofs. Once the season was over, I got to work in the office again, but in a new position. In this position I learned about the role our inspection team plays in the field and all over the country.  

Amie: What are your future plans?  

Hamzah: In my future and what I have planned out for myself are slowly but surely coming closer and closer. I am going to school currently to become a construction manager. I sure hope I can learn more about the field work and everything that includes. I am a hands-on person, so I am excited to keep learning even more areas of the roofing business in the near future. 

At Tremco and WTI, we believe that roofing isn’t just a job – it’s a career.  And with our RISE Initiative, we are giving our employees the tools they need to work towards their goals and build real futures in the industry.  If you are interested in joining us, you can view the opportunities available on our Careers Page.  For more information about RISE, please feel free to contact me at agrant@wtiservices.com.

Learn more about WTI, visit our RCS Directory.