An exciting endeavor

The Roofing Alliance and Clemson University have made a strategic investment in the industry’s future

The roofing industry is always evolving, and workforce development, innovation and leadership are key to its future. The new Center for Roofing Innovation and Leadership is leading the way by driving sustainability and collaboration between academia and industry.

Founded by the Roofing Alliance in partnership with Clemson University’s Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development, Clemson, S.C., the center’s focus is to develop and train the next generation of roofing professionals. Through research and education, the center will create workforce development programs and career pathways starting as early as middle school and extending to high schools, community colleges, technical schools and trade programs. A steering committee of Roofing Alliance leaders, Clemson University faculty, and senior staff from the Roofing Alliance and NRCA guide its mission.

An ongoing partnership

The Roofing Alliance partnered with Clemson University’s Nieri Department of Construction and Real Estate Development, Clemson, S.C., in 2019 with a clear goal: to educate and introduce the next generation of roofing professionals to the industry. This collaboration led to the creation of the first-ever four-year roofing college course, Roofing Fundamentals. Its success paved the way for two additional courses—Roofing Management and Roofing Business and Leadership—forming the first university-level Roofing Certificate Program.

Developed with input from Roofing Alliance members and Clemson University faculty, the program has since expanded to 10 universities nationwide. To date, more than 200 undergraduate and graduate students have completed at least one roofing course at Clemson University, and 125 roofing professionals have contributed materials and guest lectures.

Beyond coursework, the partnership has focused on defining career paths within the roofing industry. Industrywide surveys and roundtable discussions have provided insights into salaries, benefits, career growth and workforce perceptions.

Recognizing the industry’s need for high-quality training, the three courses are available to all roofing professionals as a self-paced, eight-hour online program. The training addresses roofing materials, estimating, safety, building codes, logistics, quality control, technology, system assembly, as well as effective leadership strategies and fostering a robust organizational culture for upper-management employees. Participants who complete all modules and pass the final exam earn a joint certificate from Clemson University and the Roofing Alliance. Since late 2023, more than 300 industry professionals have earned a certificate.

Looking ahead, a new three-year study is underway that examines sustainability and resiliency in roofing. This research will shape a fourth course, Roofing Sustainability and Resiliency, and establish industrywide definitions and training modules to educate current and future professionals.

For information about how to engage with the Roofing Alliance or Center for Roofing Innovation and Leadership, contact Alison L. LaValley, CAE, executive director of the Roofing Alliance, at alavalley@nrca.net.

Through this partnership, the center is combining industry and academic expertise, resources and networks and will focus on workforce readiness and leadership development through initiatives such as:

Creating a multilevel approach to workforce development and advancing the roofing profession by showcasing its critical role in the built environment.
Establishing a dedicated roofing education, training and research facility featuring classrooms, hands-on learning spaces and a roof deck for applied research and product testing, benefiting students and industry professionals.
Pursuing grants and funding from federal and state agencies, as well as private sector partners, to support program growth and operations.
Offering biennial faculty retreats for full-time university faculty members interested in the role of roofing in construction management.
Developing and training the next generation of educators and researchers to advance roofing education and innovation.
Creating a roofing minor that can be integrated into construction management programs at universities nationwide. Four roofing-specific courses (Roofing Fundamentals, Roofing Management, Roofing Business and Leadership, and Roofing Sustainability and Resiliency) will be included in the minor.
Expanding the Roofing Alliance–Clemson Certificate Training Program, designed for students and professionals to build essential roofing knowledge, management skills and business expertise.

The center’s research efforts also will tackle key issues such as sustainability and technology, providing the groundwork for industrywide advancements.

“Our research will pave the way for groundbreaking innovations that will shape the future of roofing across all sectors,” says Reed Gooding, CEO of GSM Roofing, Ephrata, Pa., and 2024-25 Roofing Alliance president.

The center already has secured its first grant from BLACK+DECKER™ to host a high school roofing boot camp in collaboration with Clemson University and the Carolinas Associated General Contractors. Working with local guidance counselors in the Southeast, the center will recruit 50 students to attend the full-day event. The camp will provide industry exposure, hands-on roofing training and career opportunities from local Roofing Alliance members. Participants will receive certificates of completion from the Roofing Alliance.

“We believe the center’s work will be a game changer for addressing the industry’s workforce challenges,” says Greg Bloom, 2024-25 president of the Center for Roofing Innovation and Leadership. “Through focused initiatives, we aim to attract, train and retain the next generation of professionals.”

“The center is the culmination of years of vision and effort, and it has the potential to become a model for industry-academic partnerships we hope will pave the way for innovation in the industry,” adds Bill Good, the Roofing Alliance’s senior adviser.

With a steadfast commitment to excellence, the center is shaping a resilient, future-ready roofing industry.