NRCA September highlights: Mental health, workforce, education and advocacy

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

Learn more about what the NRCA has been up to and all of the resources available to you. 

In recent communications from McKay Daniels, CEO of National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) he reported that September was a very busy month. The NRCA made progress across key areas of member resources, workforce development, technical guidance and advocacy. They are focused on keeping the industry apprised of outcomes, products and/or services recently produced. The following updates are not what is in process, noted McKay, but what has been done recently.  

Mental health awareness 

In recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, NRCA distributed updated mental health kits to members and hosted a virtual Mental Health First Aid course. Participants gained tools to recognize signs of mental health challenges, provide support and connect individuals to resources. You can hear more about this also on the September Coffee Conversations on Mental Health featuring McKay 

Education and workforce development 

The Future Executive Institute (FEI) saw its third graduating class and the launch of FEI-12 at Northwestern University with record enrollment. SkillsUSA also continued to grow, drawing national coverage from Fox Business and highlighting the importance of engaging local trade schools as talent pipelines. 

NRCA also mailed new immigrant labor resources to members, providing practical information to help address workforce needs. To get more information on these resources be sure to visit the NRCA directory on RoofersCoffeeShop.   

Advocacy in Washington 

The Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (H.R. 5494) was introduced in the House with bipartisan support. NRCA is actively educating lawmakers and the Administration on the importance of immigration reform to address ongoing labor shortages. 

Technical and business resources 

Members received free hard copies of Quality Control Guidelines for the Application of Asphalt Shingle Roof Systems, with digital versions available online. NRCA also released a photovoltaic (PV) white paper to help contractors navigate challenges in the fast-growing solar market. 

Commercial building owners can now benefit from an increased Section 179 expensing cap, raised from $1 million to $2.5 million. This change makes reroofing projects more financially attractive by allowing immediate deductions of qualified expenses, including complete reroofing projects. 

Communications and outreach 

The NRCA Annual Report was published, offering insights into achievements and metrics from the past year. A new recruitment video, available in English and Spanish, has been launched alongside 15- and 30-second versions tailored for social media. These efforts have already gained strong engagement. 

On social media, posts highlighting FEI performed well on LinkedIn, mental health content resonated on Facebook, and Spanish-language audiences enjoyed lighter, worksite humor. NRCA’s digital marketing efforts continue to drive results, generating 181 new member leads this month alone.