By Emma Peterson. 

We had a great time sharing stories and photos over social media with our roofing community!  

National Roofing Week is an annual event hosted by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) that aims to raise awareness of the roofing professionals who keep our communities safe and secure. The event also acts as a way to build community with other professionals, both near you and across the country.  

Participation in National Roofing Week is primarily conducted online by posting photos and videos through the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag. And NRCA has created themes for each day of National Roofing Week to guide posts.  

Sunday – Kickoff  

The week kicked off with posts about the importance of roofers. NRCA started everything with a post sharing the schedule for the week and some highlights from last year’s National Roofing Week! Here at The Coffee Shops™ we joined in the fun on all our social media pages, making sure to thank the coating installers, roofing professionals and contractors who make our community amazing. 

Monday – Signature projects 

For the Monday theme, NRCA invited National Roofing Week participants to share photos showcasing their company’s signature residential and commercial projects. There were too many amazing projects posted to put them all here, but some that stood out to us came from QXO, Sika and Eagle Roofing Products!  

QXO’s post was a carousel of some of their customers projects, including one from Toitures Scott, one from Nedlaw Group and one from RUHS in California. Likewise, Eagle Roofing Products’ post showcased signature projects featuring their concrete roof tiles from across the country.  

As for Sika, they took the opportunity to shine the spotlight on their 2025 Sika Project of the Year award winners, which includes stunning projects like the Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center project in Los Angeles, California and the South Station Tower project in Boston.  

Tuesday – Charitable projects 

The next day of National Roofing Week was all about giving back, and the National Women in Roofing (NWIR) Oregon Council stole the show with a free roof!

The replacement went to a community member in need, which is an incredible reminder of the power our industry has to do good.

They put it best in their post:  

Seeing contractors, manufacturers, distributors and industry partners come together with a shared purpose — without competition, without agendas, and focused solely on helping someone else — is truly inspiring. For one day, company names and logos took a back seat to teamwork, generosity and service. 

Projects like this showcase the heart of our industry. The relationships we build, the willingness to lend a hand, and the collective impact we can make when we work together are some of the best parts of being in roofing. 

NWIR extended huge thanks to industry partners, like Malarkey Roofing Products, ABC Supply, SRS Building Products, Owens Corning, Bliss Roofing and Raindrop Roofing NW, for making this incredible charitable project possible. 

Wednesday – Employee appreciation 

The midpoint of the week was all about the people who get things done – the employees that keep our industry moving. For this theme, the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag was flooded with pictures and appreciations for hardworking workers around the country. 

Drexel Metals posted some behind-the-scenes of their team hard at work, captioning it, “To everyone who continues to show up ready to learn, teach and push the industry forward: thank you. Your commitment is what drives stronger partnerships, better projects and continued progress year after year.” 

IKO Industries and CertainTeed also posted, shouting out the ROOFPROS who get the job done every day and recognizing the “craftsmanship, innovation, and dedication of the teams who help bring CertainTeed products and solutions to life” respectively.  

Thursday – Training and learning 

For Thursday, NRCA chose training as the theme, inviting contractors and companies to share the ways they keep learning and growing on the job. For this theme, GAF joined the party, sharing an incredible milestone from their GAF Roofing Academy – since 2020, the tuition-free program has helped more than 3,000 individuals find employment in the roofing industry!  

And this is just one of the many stories added to the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag! The Durable Restoration Company posted about the hard work their craftspeople put into their apprenticeship program and QXO shared how they connect their team with everything from stand downs to plant tours. 

Friday – Celebration 

And you can’t have National Roofing Week without taking the time to celebrate the amazing industry we are all a part of! For this theme, the Roofing Contractors Association of Texas (RCAT) took their followers on a trip down memory lane, sharing the “conferences, tournaments, regional events and industry gatherings where Texas roofing professionals connect, learn and celebrate together.”  

Drexel Metals also posted, sharing a common sentiment of thanks related to the power of the industry, “From the shop floor to the jobsite, your dedication, craftsmanship and collaboration are truly what make a lasting impact. We’re proud to be part of an industry built on innovation, resilience and strong partnerships.” 

Saturday – Wrap up 

Overall, this year’s National Roofing Week was a resounding success. From everyone that posted to event sponsors like International Roofing Expo, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, SRS Distribution, Roofing Alliance and SOPREMA, it was all made possible thanks to the incredible roofing community.  

The Coffee Shops crew already can’t wait for next year’s roofing week! As Atlas Roofing put eloquently in their final #NationalRoofingWeek2026 post, “This week gave us the opportunity to celebrate the people, organizations and partnerships that make the roofing industry such a rewarding one to be part of. Here’s to another year of collaboration, innovation and success.” 

By Jenny Yu.  

The SkillsUSA 2026 Championship will connect students, educators, contractors and manufacturers through hands-on skilled trades competitions. 

After a year of honing their skills and participating in local competitions, students from across the country are set to compete at the culminating event: the SkillsUSA 2026 Championship. Taking place at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta from June 1-5, 2026, the event brings together more that 6,700 state champions competing across 114 skilled and leadership contests as part of the broader National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC). 

On top of providing the platform for students to compete and showcase their talent, the SkillsUSA program builds the next generation of skilled professionals and elevates the value of careers in the trades. Roofing continues to expand its presence at the event as students can explore career opportunities and compete in roofing-related challenges including Commercial Roofing and Teamwork. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), the competitions are designed to connect career and technical education students with real-world industry opportunities while helping address the skilled labor shortage facing roofing contractors nationwide. 

Here at RoofersCoffeeShop®, we are excited to be a sponsor of the NRCA Roofing Pavilion, the event’s central hub for students and CTE teachers to connect with industry professionals on training and career opportunities.  

Additional sponsors supporting the NRCA booth include ABC Supply, Central States Manufacturing, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, Johns Manville, Elevate™, IB Roof Systems™, Leister, National Roofing Partners, National Women in Roofing (NWIR), QXO, Roofing Alliance, Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), SRS Distribution and TAMKO®. This robust participation reflects industry-wide collaboration to help SkillsUSA continue to grow as a pipeline for skilled professionals entering the trades. 

The SkillsUSA Championships have become a critical recruiting and education platform for the roofing industry. NRCA notes if even 5% of SkillsUSA students entered roofing careers, the industry could gain more than 5,000 new workers annually. 

To learn more about the 2026 SkillsUSA Championships, the Roofing Pavilion and ways to get involved, visit the SkillsUSA and NRCA websites. We hope to see you there! 

By Emma Peterson. 

National Roofing Week 2026 will be June 7-13 and it’s the perfect time to show your roofing pride! 

Each year, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) hosts an event called National Roofing Week. The goal of this event is to raise awareness of the “essential role roofs and professional roofing contractors play in every community.” 

How do you participate? It’s as simple as sharing your story! NRCA invites professionals across the industry to share photos and videos through the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 hashtag. NRCA has created a week-long guide of themes to post about:  

• Sunday: National Roofing Week kickoff 
• Monday: Signature projects — share photos showcasing your company’s signature residential and commercial projects 
• Tuesday: Charitable projects — share photos that demonstrate your company’s charitable giving 
• Wednesday: Employee appreciation — share photos of your company’s employees 
• Thursday: Employee training — share photos that demonstrate how you train your workers 
• Friday: Celebration — share photos showing us how your company celebrated National Roofing Week 
• Saturday: Wrap-up 

Not only does participating through social media help build community and give you an opportunity to brag about your incredible team, but it also helps raise visibility of the industry and the critical role roofing professionals play in protecting people and properties. Want to go the extra mile in support? Get your crews National Roofing Week T-shirts! Supplies are limited, so order soon! 

This year’s National Roofing Week is made possible by a variety of industry sponsors: International Roofing Expo, Georgia-Pacific Building Products, Hanover Architectural Products, SRS Distribution, Roofing Alliance, SOPREMA, OMG Roofing Products and Tuffwrap. 

Learn more at www.nrca.net/news-events/national-roofing-week. 

By Emma Peterson. 

Celebrate your crew and share your story with NRCA this June. 

Roofing is the hidden hero in many people’s lives; roofs protect their homes, families, businesses and possessions from the elements. To raise awareness about the significance of roofing and the important work of professionals across the roofing industry, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) will be hosting their annual National Roofing Week from June 7-13, 2026. 

During the week, NRCA will be sharing stories from professionals around the industry across their social media platforms. NRCA encourages members to “share their stories of charitable giving, crew and staff appreciation and signature roofing projects” by using the #NationalRoofingWeek2026 tag.  

Another great way to show your support for this initiative is by decking your crew out in National Roofing Week swag! These shirts are a great way to show your roofing pride with style. You can find more detailed information about participation and National Roofing Week assets to use in your photos and videos online. 

This year’s event is sponsored by a variety of industry-leading companies, including Georgia-Pacific, SRS Distribution, International Roofing Expo, Hanover Architectural Products, OMG Roofing Products, Roofing Alliance, SOPREMA and TuffWrap. If you need more information on National Roofing Week, contact NRCA Director of Communications Krista Berns (847-493-7531 or kberns@nrca.net) or NRCA Social Media Manager Madison Mahoney (847-493-7548 or mmahoney@nrca.net). 

Join the NRCA in celebrating the essential work your crew does each day and promote the importance of hiring professionals!

By Lauren White. 

Roofing made its mark at the 2025 SkillsUSA, inspiring the next generation of tradespeople and showing thousands of students why the future looks brighter from the rooftop. 

The 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) was a celebration of hands-on talent, industry partnerships and student potential. With record-breaking attendance rumored to be 18,000 strong, the energy on the show floor was unmistakable. For the roofing industry, it marked another major step forward in introducing future generations to the viability of a career in roofing as well as an effort to help close the skilled labor gap. 

SkillsUSA is a national organization dedicated to solving one of the country’s most urgent workforce challenges: the widening gap between job openings and trained professionals. Each year, more than 440,000 career and technical education students and teachers join SkillsUSA across nearly 5,000 schools in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands to compete in over 130 skilled trades. Students begin with local competitions, then advance to the state-level competition and the first-place winners from each of those competitions then travel to Atlanta, Georgia for the national competition, this year taking place June 23-27.   

Roofing’s rise 

Roofing was officially added to the national competition lineup of skills in 2023, and it’s been quickly gaining traction and recognition. This year, 21 students from 17 states earned their place at the national competition by advancing through state-level contests. The competition was divided into high school and college/postsecondary categories, with winners earning cash prizes, trophies and valuable industry tools. This year, we had 15 high school and six post-secondary students competing.  

High school division: 

• First place: Damien Holloway, Florida 
• Second place: Brigham Richardson, Arizona 
• Third place: Nathan Luz-Santos, Tennessee 

College/postsecondary division: 

• First place: Samuel Oelfke, Minnesota 
• Second place: Chenxi Huang, Florida 
• Third place: Kelly Cosgrove, New York 

First-place winners received $1,500, a championship belt and a Leister Triac ST handheld hot air welder. 

Hands-on, head-turning booth 

Roofing was bigger and better than last year! We had larger scaffolding and remained the only two-story booth in all three halls. Multiple roofing systems were also represented this year. Upstairs, two different types of roofing systems were installed to reveal the layers that go into each of them – one was TPO and the other was EPDM. Asphalt shingles were also installed around the perimeter of the safety fencing. Multiple sponsors had tables set up this year for more education and interaction with the students to really showcase how many different facets of the roofing industry there are. Sponsors included: Roofing Alliance, National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), The Coffee Shops, Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3), National Women in Roofing (NWIR), Georgia-Pacific Building Products, GAF, Leister, OMG, Elevate, SRS distribution, Johns Manville, ABC Supply, Atlas, Central States, Eagleview, National Roofing Partners (NRP), QXO, Roofing Contractor, TAMKO, IB Roof Systems.   

The talk of the show was the heat welding though. Johns Manville had three people stationed upstairs helping those who ventured there learn how to heat weld TPO. “It felt like we had half the show floor come through our booth on Tuesday,” said Karen Edwards, COO of The Coffee Shops. “Everyone was excited to be here, learn something new, like the heat welding and share what they were excited about.” 

Being stationed at the exit of the scaffolding was really exciting for us at The Coffee Shops. We met students, parents, advisors and others who were invited to chat with us, live on our YouTube channel, to share their experiences at the Roofing Pavilion. And doing a quick interview also meant they got a special roofing pin. The pins are all the rage here. Each state and territory has its own unique design, and everyone strives to collect them all, along with any special industry pins. This year, the Roofing Pavilion offered two: one for anybody stopping by the booth, and the other for people who went upstairs, tried heat welding, interacted with sponsor booths and then joined us for an interview about what their favorite part was – generally heat welding!  

It wasn’t just the pins that drew attention to the roofing pavilion, we also had some special guests join us Tuesday morning. Fox Business News did a live 90-second story from the top of our Roofing Pavilion, and they talked to last year's winner, Brandon Lopez, as well as his advisor, Bryan Raeckelboom with Golden Strip Career Center in South Carolina. And then Ty Pennington with Rock the Block joined us again this year and did some videos up on top of the roofing pavilion. 

Voices of the next generation 

Not only were students thrilled to be featured in our live YouTube videos, but they’re so eager to learn and curious about roofing and what the world of trades has to offer. I continue to be amazed by their professionalism. They are articulate, excited and hungry to learn. They ask thoughtful questions and share their interest in trying different trades before settling on a career path. It was great to see how many were intrigued by roofing after interacting with our booth. “The students that we talked to are so well spoken. I'm always so impressed with how well they speak their thoughts, how excited they are to be here and just learn anything. And they ask a lot of great questions,” Karen shared. 

A win for workforce development 

This event is part of a broader effort by NRCA and industry stakeholders to spotlight roofing as a rewarding career path and introduce the trade to more young people. By integrating roofing into SkillsUSA, NRCA and its partners are helping students discover new possibilities, develop critical skills and connect directly with employers. 

Whether you’re a contractor, manufacturer or supplier, the message is clear: the roofing industry needs you to help shape the next generation. One of the most effective ways to get involved is by partnering with local trade schools to bring training and mentorship to students who are ready to work. During our interviews with the roofing competitors when asked how they got interested in roofing, they all had the same answer – because someone came and talked to them about it. 

As the industry looks toward the future, these young competitors remind us that talent is out there — it just needs a platform, encouragement and the right tools. At SkillsUSA, roofing found all three. 

We’re already looking forward to next year! If you weren’t able to make it or are curious to hear from students and sponsors, check out our YouTube playlist – live from SkillsUSA!

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

The Roofing Alliance Spring Meeting offered meaningful updates, outstanding networking and renewed energy for the year ahead.

The April 2025 Roofing Alliance Member Meeting, held at Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, delivered vital industry updates and highlighted the growing impact of the Roofing Alliance’s core initiatives. President Reed Gooding of GSM Roofing opened the meeting by welcoming attendees and setting the tone for a dynamic and productive gathering.

Finance Committee Chairman Jason Dark presented the financial report, followed by a timely market outlook from Jack Krapf of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. Krapf discussed current economic volatility and shared insight into key concerns surrounding national debt refinancing, tariffs and immigration policy — important topics affecting members businesses.  

Roofing Alliance Executive Director Alison LaValley led the committee updates, emphasizing the remarkable work of Roofing Alliance volunteers across several initiatives. These included the Student Competition, the Ronald McDonald House Charities partnership, MVP Program, Clemson University partnership and roofing curriculum, SkillsUSA engagement, sustainability efforts, and the creation of the new Center for Roofing Innovation and Leadership.

Kyle Thomas of Thomas Roofing, chairman of the Construction Management Committee, recapped the successful 2025 Student Competition and announced that planning for the 2026 event at the International Roofing Expo in Las Vegas is already underway. He also previewed a fall faculty retreat that will support construction management professors in bringing more roofing-focused curriculum to their programs. Dennis Conway of Commercial Roofers noted the growing number of construction graduates entering the roofing profession, many with entrepreneurial aspirations, a positive sign for the industry's future.

Professor Dhaval Gajjar shared a comprehensive update on the Roofing Alliance-Clemson University partnership, which continues to evolve and expand after seven years. Notable initiatives include a three-course online certificate program designed to attract and retain roofing professionals, the publication of three textbooks dedicated to roofing education and a large-scale project documenting sustainability and resiliency within the roofing industry. The upcoming fourth course will focus on sustainability and resiliency and is expected to lead to the creation of a roofing minor. All these efforts support the vision behind the Center for Roofing Innovation and Leadership, which will serve as a groundbreaking hub for advancing leadership, innovation, and sustainability in roofing.

Members were energized by these developments. Piers Dormeyer of EagleView encouraged attendees to take advantage of the new educational resources, especially the certificate training program, to help strengthen the future roofing workforce.  

Roofing Alliance Senior Advisor Bill Good followed with an update on the Roofing Alliance’s longstanding partnership with Ronald McDonald House Charities, which began in 2017. Since then, the Roofing Alliance has helped inspect and maintain roofs, contributed to more than 20 reroofing and expansion projects, and provided more than $3 million in donated services and materials.

One of the most memorable moments of the meeting was the announcement of the 2024-25 Bennett Award, which honors individuals who demonstrate outstanding volunteerism and significant contributions in support of the Roofing Alliance and the roofing industry. This year’s recipient, Dudley Miles of J.D. Miles & Sons, was recognized with a heartfelt tribute video celebrating his remarkable impact. Watch the video here.

The meeting also marked a transition in leadership, as Reed Gooding passed the presidency to Greg Hudson of Georgia-Pacific. Both leaders have shown unwavering dedication to the Roofing Alliance and its mission. The membership's commitment to the Roofing Alliance's four pillars—Technology, Education, Philanthropy and Sustainability — is both inspiring and foundational to its continued success.

The Roofing Alliance Spring Meeting offered meaningful updates, outstanding networking and renewed energy for the year ahead.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Hearts on the Green charity golf tournament raises funds for Ronald McDonald Houses of greater Dallas area.

The roofing industry has long been recognized for its generosity and commitment to giving back. At the heart of this effort is the Roofing Alliance, the foundation of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). With a legacy spanning over two decades, the Roofing Alliance supports key industry initiatives focused on research, technology, education and philanthropy.

One of its most meaningful partnerships is with Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). In April 2017, the Roofing Alliance formally committed to a partnership with RMHC, pledging to inspect, maintain, repair, and when needed, replace roofs on the 165 standalone Ronald McDonald House programs across the country.

Since then, commitment has grown beyond just maintaining roofs. The roofing industry has embraced RMHC as a national charity, offering not only roofing services but also fundraising support to help sustain and expand their work. A recent example was the Hearts on the Greens fundraiser held April 7, 2024, in Grapevine, Texas. Sponsored by IB Roof Systems and several other roofing companies, the event brought together roofing professionals for a day of golf and giving.

The event was led by Jason Stanley, a longtime Roofing Alliance and NRCA leader, who saw the opportunity to support the Ronald McDonald Houses in the greater Dallas area through a high-energy industry event. His vision was to raise funds not just for maintenance but for growth, helping more families find shelter and support during their most challenging times.

The partnership with RMHC is a natural extension of the generosity of the industry and the mission of the Roofing Alliance. Ronald McDonald Houses offer much more than a place to stay. They provide private rooms, meals and emotional support to families with sick children being treated at nearby hospitals. While families are asked to pay a small fee to stay, no one is turned away if they cannot afford it.

The Roofing Alliance and NRCA members have committed to performing regular roof inspections, ensuring proper maintenance and stepping in for repairs or replacements as needed. Roof replacements are handled as individual projects with participation from multiple contractors, and many manufacturers and distributors contribute materials free of charge.  There is always a need for additional funds for new builds and remodeling initiatives.

Jason Stanley highlighted the growing need for expansion. “The demand for rooms at Ronald McDonald Houses is higher than ever. Many times, there are not enough rooms for the families who need them. We want to help them expand and maintain their properties along with new homes,” he said.

The Hearts on the Greens event drew many industry leaders including former NRCA CEOs Bill Good and Reid Ribble, as well as current CEO McKay Daniels. Bill Good continues to support the Roofing Alliance projects and fundraising efforts nationwide. “We are working with companies like IB Roof Systems and several others to obtain product, installation and overall funding like the Hearts on the Greens fundraiser,” said Bill, now a consultant to the Roofing Alliance.

When asked how important fundraisers like this are, Bill was clear. “Very important. We are seeing an increasing demand for rooms. So many families need to be close to their children during treatment, and as an industry we are stepping up through fundraising and product donations.”

“This would not have been possible without our sponsors,” noted Jamie Treglio, IB Roof Systems marketing director. Event sponsors included:

• Platinum sponsors – Supreme Roofing, RJH & Associates, REI Engineers
• Gold sponsors – Roofing Alliance, Anchor Products, HCG Hollon + Cannon Group
• Silver sponsors – Sunbelt, Georgia-Pacific, Beam Professionals, Sun Commercial Roofs, NARI
• Food and drink sponsors – RJH & Associates, Tarrant Roofing, TRUFAST, IIBEC

The event also featured a special guest, Ronald McDonald himself, whose visit brought smiles and laughter to attendees. His presence added a sense of joy and purpose to the event, reinforcing the mission of RMHC and the industry’s commitment.

While there were prizes awarded for longest drive, best putt and low scoring teams, the true winners of the day were the children and families who continue to receive care and support. Through the giving nature of the roofing community and efforts like Hearts on the Greens, the industry continues to make a meaningful difference, showing just how strong the heart of roofing truly is.

By Jesse Sanchez. 

Understand the importance of roof durability as commercial rooftops evolve into multifunctional spaces. 

As the landscape of commercial roofing evolves, rooftops are no longer just about covering buildings — they’re becoming critical spaces for solar arrays, telecommunications, HVAC systems and even livable areas. In this episode of Roofing Road Trips®, Greg Hudson of Georgia-Pacific Building Products discusses the rising challenges brought by increased rooftop foot traffic and offers solutions for enhancing roof durability. 

According to Greg, the demand on commercial roofs has increased exponentially. Pointing to a mix of trades accessing rooftops for maintenance and installations, Greg notes, “When a commercial low-slope roofer goes onto a roof, they're very mindful, it almost is their baby. As they look at it, they're doing maintenance inspections, they're doing all these things... But when you get to the other trades, they're really focused on their trade, the HVAC, all the different things that go along with that.” 

A critical element in protecting roofs from wear and tear is the use of cover boards. Greg explains how these rigid layers, such as gypsum cover boards like Georgia-Pacific’s DensDeck®, can extend the life of a roof while also mitigating damage from increased traffic. 

“You increase the risk of cavitating, crushing, puncturing the membrane and then getting leaks into that insulation,” Greg explains. “You want to make sure that all parts of the system and that's where something as simple as a rigid cover board could add that added layer of protection, increase puncture resistance, increase compressive strength, so that insulation is staying intact, staying as designed on that roof.” 

Greg urges contractors to discuss long-term goals with building owners, especially as rooftop functions expand. “Even though that roof right now maybe only has HVAC on it, but in five years, 10 years, it could have solar, it could be a livable space, it could have more telecommunications. I mean, who knows what's going to be on the roof going forward? 

Read the transcript or Listen to the podcast to learn more about managing foot traffic and enhancing roof systems! 

The Roofing Pavillion provided an opportunity for people to walk on mock roof, heat weld TPO and take in the show floor view from new heights!

Editor's note: The following is a transcript of a conversation between industry professionals after the first day of SkillsUSA.

Heidi Ellsworth: I just want to say that being SkillsUSA is a huge privilege because we're helping the next generation be a part of roofing. Roofing is the best trade ever and at the roofing on its SkillsUSA we now have a competition for commercial roofing and we're gonna watch them tomorrow.

Karen Edwards: I think today on the first day was a great opportunity because there weren't any competitions and we got to talk to all the students and the competitors who were coming to our booth and I think we had like 500 people welding TPO. Today we went through that many pairs of gloves so I think it was fantastic and the interest level from these kids who are in the trades but haven't really been exposed to roofing has been just phenomenal.

Lisa Sprick: Hey this is Lisa Sprick with Sprick Roofing in Corvallis, Oregon. I didn't get to the event today but I am so excited to see tomorrow and the competitors and the energy from the students.

Sherry Miles: This is Sherry Miles from Miles Roofing in Chesapeake, Virginia. What I love about this and our industry in general is the relationships. It's all about getting to know the people and when we can connect with this next generation of roofing professionals and bring them into the fold and show them the pathways of success, model to them what it can be, what you can be in this world and in this life in the roofing industry, it's just amazing. So I'm excited for tomorrow's competition. You know, it is all about the the winners, but it's also about just what people can do.

Rich Trewyn: This is Rich with the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). I'm the director of risk education and training. And I think what I liked most about today was the excitement in the kids faces as they got up to do some heat welding and their first roofing experience. It was a fantastic show, from the parents being excited about what their kids are doing to the kids themselves to even the siblings of those kids. It was a fantastic event and I really enjoy just seeing the joy in their faces about finally somebody appreciating their choice in life which was to go into the trades. 

Greg Hudson: I'm Greg Hudson with Georgia Pacific Building Products. The most exciting thing that I've seen today at SkillsUSA was the scale of the students and their parents and the mentors that are here. And the presence that roofing has when you walk on that show floor and see all those decks laid out and the tower sitting there, the demonstrations going on, and the engagement that the attendees had with the folks from the NRCA, Johns Manville and everyone else represented.

John Esbenshade: I'm John Esbenshade with National Roofing Contractors Association and my favorite part about SkillsUSA today was seeing the culmination of a lot of work over a lot of years from a lot of people and today for the first day, it really came to a climax. We had people from every aspect of the industry, every walk of life and every corner of the country come together in order to celebrate the accomplishments of these students.

Lauren White: This is my first time attending and I'm just excited to be here and excited to trade pins with all of the students from the different states and just being here and seeing the roofing pavilion and walking up on scaffolding and heat welding for my first time. So that was very exciting, and encouraging other people and students to do the same thing and can't wait for tomorrow for the actual competition.

By Heidi J. Ellsworth. 

The 2024 competition will include student contestants from 12 states competing to win the commercial roofing thermoplastic competition. 

The roofing industry has come together to help fund a larger Career Technical Education (CTE) program lead by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA). With the first focus on SkillsUSA happening June 24-28, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia the industry has donated over $170,000 just for 2024 to help not only fund a roofing presence at SkillsUSA but also support continuing CTE activity. 

This year’s roofing exposure and student competition is expected to be greatly expanded from the 2023 national competition that featured competitors in the thermoplastic roofing competition from four states. The 2024 competition will include student contestants from 12 states competing to win the commercial roofing thermoplastic competition. 

Helping to make this possible is the Roofing Alliance, who demonstrated their commitment to fostering education and attracting new talent to the roofing industry by pledging $150,000 over three years to fund Career Technical Education (CTE) initiatives. This significant contribution enables the NRCA CTE/Workforce Development committee to make substantial strides in educating and drawing the next generation of roofing professionals. 

The NRCA CTE/Workforce Development committee has a subcommittee that works to secure funding for various CTE initiatives within the roofing industry. These initiatives include participation in SkillsUSA, the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE), and the Correctional Education Association (CEA), among others. The NRCA CTE/Workforce Development committee members and volunteers are dedicated to ongoing funding efforts to build and expand CTE outreach. This initiative is supported by multiple sources, including NRCA, industry partners and the Roofing Alliance. 

As noted, NRCA will host the Roofing Pavilion at the 2024 SkillsUSA NLCS “Techspo” from June 24-28, 2024. This will be NRCA's second time showcasing roofing (beyond a tabletop display) at this premier skills competition in the career and technical education sector. 

The Roofing Pavilion, a 20’ x 70’ space will feature a roofing project display with a 20’x40’ roofing project on a staired scaffold featuring a thermoplastic welding display and demonstration with an interactive competition for all SkillsUSA participants.  Competitors will also have access to product samples of steep roofing products, including asphalt shingles, tile and metal along with an estimating experience demonstrating roofing estimating software and additional interactive goggle technology. 

Several industry leading companies have committed to sponsoring the 2024 SkillsUSA program. With a combined contribution of over $120,000 in funds that were then matched with $50,000 per year for three years by the Roofing Alliance. Donations were provided by: 

1. ABC Supply 
2. Atlas 
3. Beacon Building Products 
4. EagleView 
5. Georgia Pacific Building Products 
6. IB Roof Systems 
7. Jobba Trade Technologies 
8. Johns Manville 
9. National Roofing Partners (NRP) 
10. Roofing Corp of America 
11. SRS Distribution 
12. TAMKO 

Roofing associations and media groups also contribute including: 

1. National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) 
2. Roofing Technology Think Tank (RT3) 
3. Georgia Roofing Contractors Association (GARCA) 
4. National Women in Roofing (NWIR) 
5. Roofing Contractor Magazine 
6. RoofersCoffeeShop® 

The combined efforts and funds from these sponsors and the Roofing Alliance are crucial for the NRCA CTE/Workforce Development committee's initiatives. By utilizing Pro Certification and TRAC training, also supported by the Alliance, these CTE initiatives aim to enhance roofing exposure and education for the next generation. 

While fully integrating roofing into the CTE system may take a generation, the next five years are critical. Extraordinary efforts and substantial expenses will be required to establish a strong foundation. The Roofing Alliance's funding and donations from the entire industry are phenomenal and vital to the success of NRCA’s CTE/Workforce Development committee initiatives, ensuring a bright future for the roofing industry. 

Be sure to follow RoofersCoffeeShop on YouTube throughout the week for ongoing updates live from the SkillsUSA competition.