Working to find workers

NRCA continues to focus on the industry’s workforce problem

by Ambika Puniani Reid

We have lived with the COVID-19 pandemic for nearly one year, and it appears a return to “normal” still is many months away. But three things have remained constant: The roofing industry continues to need increased funding for career and technical education to address workforce shortages; a strong buildings component that recognizes the role of roof system design and installation in federal infrastructure legislation; and sensible immigration reform that meets the roofing industry’s workforce needs.

These three issues will be at the forefront of Roofing Day in D.C. 2021, which will take place virtually March 23-24. Once again, attendees will meet with congressional staff and members of Congress—albeit via video conference—to speak with one voice regarding the industry’s legislative priorities.

And as a new administration and a Democrat-controlled Congress assume leadership roles, there will be opportunities and challenges the industry will face as it attempts to lobby for favorable legislation.

In “Connecting across the country,” NRCA Vice President of Government Relations Duane Musser discusses the importance of Roofing Day in D.C. and how it has consistently raised the profile of the roofing industry during the past several years.

NRCA encourages you to register your field workers for the event, as well. Not only will it be a meaningful experience for them to speak with lawmakers, but it also will provide lawmakers with added context regarding the challenges facing the industry and the passion roofing workers have for their jobs.

However, the workforce issue cannot be solved by legislation alone. In “Got skills?” NRCA Vice President of Strategic Partnerships and Development Alison LaValley describes the various ways NRCA is helping roofing professionals build a more robust workforce, including through several important partnerships with organizations to help bring workers into the field and a new Careers in Roofing website NRCA launched in late summer 2020.

I encourage you to learn more about NRCA’s workforce initiatives and register for Roofing Day in D.C. 2021 to share your experiences firsthand with lawmakers.

Ambika Puniani Reid is editor of Professional Roofing and NRCA’s vice president of communications.