8 strategies to bridge the roofing industry's talent gap

By Jonny Suchor. 

Innovative recruitment strategies to win the roofing industry’s bid for talented new minds.  

At an National Roofing Contractor Association (NRCA) industry conference, a recruitment expert unveiled strategies for overcoming the talent shortage in roofing by 2024. Drawing from a decade of experience and inspired by a family legacy in roofing, Luke McCormack highlighted the mission of McCormack Partners: “To bridge the talent gap in roofing with ethical and knowledgeable recruitment practices.” 

The webinar covered the significant challenges that the industry is currently facing, including topics such as material shortages, regulatory burdens and a general perception problem. Many outside the industry view roofing jobs as unsafe and lacking in career prospects, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. Roofing is a livelihood for many and offers plenty of opportunities for job progression, which is often overshadowed. 

To win the talent war, several actionable strategies were presented: 

1. Emphasize recruitment: Acknowledge the critical need for talent search in an industry short of eight million workers. 
2. Clarify job expectations: Define what you're looking for in candidates, focusing on skills and cultural fit. 
3. Craft the perfect candidate profile: Understand the personality and cultural compatibility of potential hires. 
4. Be proactive: Transform job ads to highlight what your company offers, showing the benefits of joining your team. 
5. Speed up hiring: To meet candidates' expectations and improve their experience, keep the recruitment process efficient. 
6. Stay competitive: Make sure your offers are smart by understanding market rates and providing clear career paths. 
7. Build your brand: Use social media to showcase your company culture and success stories, attracting interested candidates. 
8. Direct targeting: Engage potential candidates by consistently sharing content to build trust. 

The webinar concluded by stressing the importance of these strategies in mitigating hiring challenges, driving home the point that successful recruitment is crucial for the industry’s future. 

Watch the webinar to learn more about the industry's challenges and strategies to tackle them.