By Emma Richardson.  

The Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia provides certification opportunities to young professionals. 

Fostering the next generation of professionals is an indispensable part of the skilled-trade industry, particularly when it comes to roofing. Many young professionals may be interested in a trade career but unsure where to start or how to gain the necessary qualifications. The Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC) supports the future of the trades by offering apprenticeship training across three competencies: roofing, architectural sheet metal working and residential steep roofing.  

The roofing apprenticeship program is designed to take approximately three years and includes 15 weeks of technical training and 4,950 hours of work-based training. Apprentices can expect to learn how to install and repair a wide variety of roofing systems including single ply, shingles, shakes and more. The curriculum also covers sheet metal flashing, waterproof coatings to masonry surfaces, setting up scaffolding and estimating materials and quotes. At the end of the program, apprentices who have achieved 70% or higher on the technical training and the Interprovincial Red Seal Examination will receive a Certificate of Qualification with Red Seal Endorsement.  

In a separate training program, Skill Trades BC offers a residential steep roofing apprenticeship. To accommodate the different needs for residential steep roofing, the program includes six weeks of technical training and 2,400 hours of work-based training. Apprentices will learn how to read blueprints and interpret building codes, how to measure, cut, shape, assemble and join materials on site. The course also covers installing gutters, flat roofing and steep roofing materials. 

Lastly, Skilled Trades BC also offers an architectural sheet metal certification program. Similar to the roofing apprenticeship, the sheet metal program is 18 weeks of technical training and 4,800 work-based training hours spread over the course of three years. Students will learn how to use tools, scaffolds, ladders and platforms. They will also cover fasteners, sealants, metal installation, repair and more.  

For all three disciplines, Skilled Trades BC also offers a challenge program that allows working professionals to receive their certification without completing the entire training course. If an applicant has enough documented work hours, they may be eligible to take the certification exam and obtain their qualifications without passing through the entire educational program. If an applicant does not have sufficient working hours, they may be eligible to take a level exam and enter the program at the appropriate level.  

Visit the RCABC website to learn more about apprenticeship programs.

By Emma Peterson. 

Through apprenticeship programs, industry training and career advancement resources, RCABC is creating pathways for both new and experienced roofers to succeed. 

Across Canada, apprenticeships are key for building job security and careers for young people as well as for ensuring that our tradespeople are trained and ready. And at the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC), helping roofers in all stages of their career, from that first apprenticeship to getting a journeyperson trade qualification and beyond, is key to their mission.  

This dedication to helping roofing professionals of every level can be seen in the number of resources RCABC provides. For apprentices, they are always happy to help interested individuals connect with an employer that can train and sponsor them. They are also a Skilled Trades BC designated trainer and host a roofer program that “provides training in all aspects of roofing, damp and waterproofing, from damp proofing of foundations, ponds, bridges and floors, to all types of flat and sloped roofs, such as tile, slate, composite wood, metal tile, modified bitumen, thermoset, thermoplastic, built up roofing, insulation and vapor barriers.”  

For those further in their career, RCABC is ready with resources about getting certifications, qualifications and more! One such resource is their frequently asked questions (FAQ) page, where they share advice about topics such as how to become a journeyperson trade qualification, finding training opportunities with limited English language skills and getting a replacement trade qualification certificate. 

Another resource is their training centre. This is the location of RCABC’s apprenticeship program, which doesn’t only serve those at the beginning of their career. RCABC also hosts a variety of safety and professional development courses that benefit roofers and tradespeople of many different levels.  

Learn more about the opportunities RCABC provides roofers.

By Emma Peterson. 

RCABC’s consumer guides and FAQs help bridge the knowledge gap between property owners and roofing professionals, creating more informed conversations and better project outcomes. 

At the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC), their team is not only dedicated to “becom[ing] the definitive source for professionals within the roofing industry” but also to helping “consumers looking to educate themselves on what goes into proper roofing design, installation and repair.”  

With that goal in mind, they created a comprehensive guide that walks consumers through the process of selecting the right roofing service provider for their project. This is an extensive document (over 100 pages!) that shares “everything you ever wanted to know about roofing – and probably a few things you don’t.”  

To make sure consumers can get quick, accessible answers to common questions, RCABC created a quick FAQ (frequently asked questions) page. Here’s an excerpt from that page:  

I obtained estimates from two different roofing companies and they didn’t agree, either on price or work needed. What should I do?  

If there is a debate about work needed, this would be a good time to engage an Observer to get an inspection done so that you can make an informed decision. The cost of an inspection may save you thousands of dollars down the road.  

As for cost differences, make sure that you provided each company doing an estimate with the same specifications. A low price can signal shortcomings in the reliability of the roofing company and experience of the estimator and actual crew. Again, it may also be prudent to call an observation company to help. 

My roof is leaking. Does this mean I need a new one?  

Not necessarily. You may only need repair work. The best way to determine the problem is to call in a professional roofing company for an assessment.  

When is the best time, or season, to replace a roof?  

If you have your roof done in the spring or fall, you will generally find better availability and faster service.  

What do I do if I have a problem with my new roof and cannot get satisfaction from the roofing contractor?  

If the roof was installed by one of our members, please send us the details of your complaint in writing. If the roof was provided by a company that is not one of our members, you might be able to file a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. 

Between this helpful FAQ and the extensive consumer guide, RCABC has not only created great resources for home and business owners embarking on a roofing project, but also a useful assets for contractors to share with clients who are confused or unsure of the roofing process.   

Check out the guide and the FAQ!

By Emma Peterson. 

RCABC's resources, membership network and RoofStar Guarantee help strengthen connections between roofing professionals and customers while advancing quality throughout the industry. 

Over 60 years ago, the Roofing Contractors Association of British Columbia (RCABC) was founded with a simple goal: “To bring together professional roofing contractors, manufacturers and suppliers who are dedicated to the promotion and protection of the public interest in everything that relates to roofing.” To this day, they continue to pursue this mission of uplifting roofing professionals and the standards of the industry. In pursuit of this, they have made connecting high-quality and reliable roofers with customers a priority. 

How does RCABC connect contractors and clients? First and foremost, they offer countless resources to guide home and business owners through the roofing process. For example, they have an entire section of their FAQ dedicated to questions to ask contractors, such as if they are Red Seal tickets and if they have a “letter of clearance” from WorkSafeBC. Not only does this help customers know what to look for in a contractor, but it also means that customers come into conversations with contractors more informed, confident and ready to buy. 

Building on this, they host a membership directory that showcases a variety of roofers and other professionals who have joined RCABC and have already passed many of those preliminary checks.  

And last but not least, RCABC hosts the RoofStar Guarantee. This is the first “roofing guarantee that’s backed by both the contractor who does the work and the RCABC itself.” Only available to RCABC members, this guarantee supports both contractors and their clients. For contractors, it is a powerful way to show potential customers your dedication to the roofing trade and the protection of their project. For clients, it offers “assurance that quality materials will be installed to specific, industry-leading standards by professional roofing contractors.” 

Overall, these are three of the ways that RCABC works to make it easier for customers to find reliable, high-quality contractors and for contractors to showcase their skills and dedication to the trade. By doing this, RCABC is going beyond helping individuals and even specific companies – they are helping build up the standards of quality of the entire roofing industry.