GAF announced last week that it has placed 2,000 graduates in jobs across the United States through GAF Roofing Academy, the tuition-free program that prepares individuals for entry-level careers in roofing.
The company described the high number of placements as a milestone, reaching just five years after the program, designed to help provide pathways to careers in the roofing industry for underrepresented groups like women and the formerly incarcerated.
According to a September 4 news release, GAF aims to double that number through 2025 to ensure the program helps graduates find long-term employment.
GAF says its Roofing Academy combines in-classroom and hands-on training in residential and commercial roofing installation, solar, in-home sales, and restoration. Since it began in 2020, more than 365 classes have been hosted in collaboration with local nonprofit organizations and contractors across the country.
After completing the program, graduates can interview with local GAF-certified contractors for full-time employment opportunities, helping individuals overcome obstacles to finding a job. Formerly incarcerated individuals working who traditionally face barriers to employment represent 16% of GAF Roofing Academy graduates.
Women, who account for less than 3% of roofers, represent 14% of graduates, and Black Americans, who represent less than 5% of roofers, account for 28% of graduates.
“GAF Roofing Academy has helped thousands of individuals with immense potential for success pursue rewarding careers in the roofing industry,” said Chris Rector, Chief Marketing Officer, GAF. “Time and again, we see how this program is about so much more than the training. Every class is an opportunity to bring new voices and talent to the industry, and for many students, it is a chance to pursue a better future for themselves and their families.”
According to the National Roofing Contractors Association, the construction industry will need to attract more than 500,000 workers on top of the normal hiring pace to meet the labor demand in 2024. In addition to a skilled worker labor shortage, there is also a shortage of talent. Nearly 70% of construction firms report applicants lack the skills needed to work in the industry.
GAF Roofing Academy is helping develop a strong application pool for the roofing industry and, more critically, helping graduates connect contractors with qualified and skilled talent, meeting to help them meet their customers’ needs and grow their businesses.
To learn more or find graduates available for hire, visit GAF.com/RoofingAcademy.
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