The National Roofing Apprenticeship Program

Workforce development remains one of roofing's biggest challenges, and the National Roofing Apprenticeship Program aims to provide a long-term solution. Jill Bloom, Art Aisner, Steve Little and Tammy Hall discuss how the program combines classroom instruction, hands-on training and nationally recognized credentials to build stronger career pathways. Hear why early results are showing higher retention, career advancement and a stronger future for contractors and the roofing industry.

The effort has been years in the making.

Little explained that the idea originated after recognizing that roofing was noticeably absent from national apprenticeship conversations. While electricians, plumbers and HVAC technicians have long benefited from structured apprenticeship pathways, roofing lacked a coordinated national program.

"We asked ourselves, 'Why isn't roofing part of that conversation?'" Little said.

Today, NRAP is working to change that.

Building a National Standard

Rather than creating an entirely new curriculum, NRAP brings together existing industry resources through partnerships with the National Roofing Contractors Association, the National Center for Construction Education and Research, Associated Builders and Contractors, SkillsUSA and several other workforce organizations.

The result is a three-semester apprenticeship program combining classroom education, hands-on field experience and Department of Labor-recognized credentials. Apprentices earn college credit while working full time, giving contractors productive employees while developing highly skilled craftsmen.

Hall said one of the program's greatest strengths is that it provides consistency across the industry.

"Contractors have been developing apprenticeship programs independently for years," Hall explained. "Some have been incredibly successful, but there hasn't been one coordinated national effort. Our goal is to bring those best practices together and make it easier for every contractor to participate."

The Numbers Already Speak

Although NRAP is still in its rollout phase, organizers point to existing apprenticeship programs as proof the concept works.

Florida's apprenticeship initiative, which has operated for nearly a decade, has become the model.

According to Hall, graduates receive immediate wage increases, demonstrate exceptional loyalty to their employers and consistently advance into supervisory positions. Contractors participating in the program have experienced retention rates approaching 97%, graduation rates exceeding 85% and an estimated 42% return on investment through increased productivity and employee longevity.

Little shared similar experiences from KPost Roofing's own participation in a pilot apprenticeship program.

Of the nine employees his company enrolled, eight remain with the organization today. Several have already advanced from laborers to mechanics, lead technicians and foremen, while another transitioned into the company's estimating and roof assessment division.

Those results reinforce the value of structured training—not simply teaching roofing skills, but creating long-term career opportunities.

Creating Careers, Not Jobs

Throughout the discussion, one theme surfaced repeatedly: changing perceptions of roofing.

For decades, many people viewed roofing as temporary work rather than a profession. Little and Hall believe apprenticeship programs help redefine that image.

A worker entering the industry at an entry-level wage can, through training and experience, advance into positions ranging from foreman and superintendent to estimator, project manager, sales executive or business development professional.

That career ladder is critical.

Hall noted that public attitudes toward skilled trades have shifted dramatically during the past several years as government agencies, educators and employers increasingly recognize that four-year college degrees aren't the only path to rewarding careers.

"We're seeing more recognition that the trades provide tremendous opportunities," Hall said. "This gives people a roadmap to build a career while earning good wages and continuing their education."

Looking Ahead

NRAP's immediate objective is launching apprenticeship programs in Florida and Texas before expanding into additional states, including Ohio and Georgia. From there, organizers envision a nationwide network supported by state-specific training resources, instructor development and grant funding.

The long-term vision is ambitious.

Little hopes to eventually see hundreds—and ultimately thousands—of apprentices entering roofing every year through standardized programs that provide nationally recognized credentials.

His ultimate goal extends beyond workforce statistics.

He wants roofing to stand alongside the other skilled trades as a respected profession with clear educational pathways and lifelong career opportunities.

As the podcast concluded, Bloom praised the initiative for its potential to influence generations of roofing professionals.