By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

Understanding key updates and insights on the initiatives shaping the future of roofing as I prepare to join the NRCA board in June 2026. 

One of the most important resources we have in the roofing industry are our associations. They bring contractors, manufacturers, distributors and service providers together to solve challenges, advocate for our businesses and help move the industry forward. I am proud to be joining the board of the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) in June of 2026 and as I continue to learn about new initiatives, ongoing challenges and meaningful advocacy efforts, I want to share this information with the industry. 

One of the things I appreciate most about NRCA is the communication and transparency coming from leadership. McKay Daniels, CEO of NRCA, consistently keeps members informed about what is happening behind the scenes, not just the wins, but also the challenges and priorities shaping the future of roofing. 

In a recent update to industry executive members, McKay shared, “Here is a rundown of some of the things the association has been up to recently. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, ideas or suggestions. NRCA is a volunteer-led organization… your input really matters.” 

That is exactly how McKay leads, with open arms and an open mind. It is a leadership style rooted in collaboration and listening, recognizing that some of the best ideas come directly from contractors and roofing professionals working in the field every day. Here are just a few updates from his recent communication and why they matter to the roofing industry. 

If there is one issue touching every contractor today, it is workforce. Whether companies are looking for labor, training future leaders or helping crews advance professionally, NRCA continues to invest heavily in workforce development and education. McKay shared that the association recently “delivered multiple CERTA Train-the-Trainer and private classes for members” while also completing PROCertification exams to help contractors meet project specification requirements. These programs continue to strengthen professionalism in roofing while creating career pathways for workers entering the trade. 

At the same time, NRCA is expanding its reach with the next generation. NRCA staff attended SkillsUSA competitions in California, Texas and Washington, with Texas and Washington representingnew state participation. That momentum is continuing nationally as NRCA prepares to support a record number of roofing competitors at the 2026 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia this June. The growing participation reflects increasing awareness of roofing as a viable and rewarding career path and highlights the association’s commitment to introducing young people to opportunities in the roofing trades. 

By showing students what roofing careers can offer, NRCA is helping build awareness of an industry filled with opportunity, innovation and long-term career growth. 

NRCA also continues its commitment to education beyond the rooftop. The association recently hosted its annual LegalCon Virtual seminar, addressing issues contractors are navigating every day. McKay noted topics ranging from immigration issues and managing risk in roofing contracts to using telemetry fleet data as a legal advantage. LegalCon has become a trusted annual event, helping members stay informed on legal, operational and business risks impacting roofing companies. 

Of course, workforce conversations naturally lead to advocacy and this continues to be one of NRCA’s strongest areas of focus. Roofing Day in D.C. recently brought together 200 roofing professionals to meet with lawmakers across 158 House and Senate offices, advocating for workforce solutions and affordable housing policies. 

McKay also reported that “NRCA staff met with senior White House officials on immigration reform tied to security and workforce needs,” while the association endorsed the Workforce Apprenticeship Growth and Education Support (WAGES) Act, legislation proposing payroll tax credits to offset apprentice wages and training expenses. These efforts matter because advocacy happening in Washington D.C. directly impacts the future workforce available to roofing contractors across the country. 

Safety and worker wellbeing also remain front and center. NRCA served as a lead partner for the National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction while continuing to educate contractors on fall prevention resources, including NRCA’s Roof Deck Integrity Assessment Tool. During Mental Health Awareness Month, the association also highlighted mental health resources and worker wellbeing initiatives, reinforcing that jobsite safety extends beyond physical hazards. 

The Roofing Alliance, the foundation for the industry, is also celebrating its 30th anniversary this year while continuing to make a tremendous impact through scholarships, research and education. From supporting students pursuing roofing-related careers to investing in long-term industry research, the Alliance continues to help strengthen roofing for future generations. McKay shared that the Alliance approved $114,000 in scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year supporting 23 students, while more than 600 professionals have completed roofing training through Clemson University. 

Research through the Roofing Alliance is also uncovering important insights into jobsite culture and safety. McKay noted that ongoing research is showing that “inconsistent safety behavior is driven more by risk perception and workplace culture than by rule awareness,” reinforcing that strong safety cultures are built through leadership, trust and engagement, not simply enforcement. 

Technical leadership continues to be another core focus. McKay reported that the Manual Update Committee recently completed the next update to The NRCA Roofing Manual, with the 2027 Membrane Roof Systems volume now in design and printing. These resources continue to provide contractors with trusted technical guidance and best practices. 

As I prepare to join the NRCA board, I continue to be impressed by the depth of work happening every day on behalf of roofing professionals. Associations matter because they amplify our voices, create opportunities and help guide the future of our industry. I look forward to sharing more updates from NRCA as together we continue building a stronger future for roofing.

By Emma Peterson. 

How competition and mentorship help students find careers in roofing. 

As the 2026 SkillsUSA National Championship get closer (it’ll be hosted June 1-5, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia), we wanted to take a moment to highlight the way this organization supports students and celebrates the trades. To do so, we hosted the student champions of the 2025 SkillsUSA roofing competition, Chase Huang and Damien Holloway, as well as their mentor Tim Stephens (also the VP of Architectural Sheet Metal Inc.) for an episode of Roofing Road Trips®. 

Tim opened the conversation talking about how he got involved in SkillsUSA:  

I learned about SkillsUSA from Rick Damato. Rick was one of the people who really pushed for National Roofing Contractors Association to adopt it and when that did happen, my team reached out to get involved... The reason why we wanted to be involved is because workforce matters. It's everybody's number one issue and has been for centuries. And the main issue with expanding the workforce is that students don’t know the trade are there; this program addresses that by introducing trades to students in school.  

Two such students that SkillsUSA connected to the trades were Damien and Chase. Reflecting on his experience, Damien shared, “Before the competition, I didn’t really see roofing as a job opportunity. Now I know that it’s something that I enjoy and can do. I’m planning on studying welding in a college program, but it’s really great knowing I have a job with Tim once I get out of school.” 

Chase had a similar experience and shared, “Winning a silver medal significantly boosts my confidence in roofing. It serves as proof of my ability, confirms my proficiency and shows that I can be in construction. And now I know what I can do in my future career.” In fact, that career is already in motion for Chase, who is working at Architectural Sheet Metal Inc. with Tim!  

At the end of the day, SkillsUSA is far more than a competition – it's an introduction to and celebration of trades like roofing. As Tim put it, “We need people in roofing and there are so many students out there who are looking for opportunities. And if you give them a chance and provide a bit of mentorship, they’ll blow you away... Really the power of SkillsUSA is in getting the trades’ story, like roofing, out there and connecting young adults to great career paths.”  

Tune into the whole podcast to hear more from Tim, Damien and Chase!

By Jenny Yu.  

Participants say SkillsUSA helps them explore careers and grow beyond the classroom. 

At the Oregon SkillsUSA 2026 Competition, students from all over the state showcased their technical abilities, creativity and career readiness across a wide range of disciplines. From culinary arts to healthcare and engineering, competitors demonstrated not only their skills but also their willingness to step outside of their comfort zones and explore future career paths. 

For Kallie Stephenson, this year’s cake decorating competition was a way to refine her culinary skills after competing in last year’s cooking competition. This year’s theme was “farm animals,” and Kallie made a baby chick cake with a marshmallow beak. Despite some last minute-adjustments, Kallie embraced the challenge and encouraged others to do the same. “Just try something new. I mean, I don't really decorate cakes in my culinary class,” Kallie said. “There's something for everybody, and it's really fun.” 

Healthcare competitor Ryese Fernandes highlighted the rigor of the event, which included CPR, checking vital signs, dietetics and a final presentation. This competition marked Ryese’s third year participating in the SkillsUSA competition, and last year she competed in the national competition for basic healthcare. “SkillsUSA definitely helped me break out of my shell. I used to be very shy and reserved, and I’ve grown a lot,” Ryese expressed. “I’m confident in what I did, and I did everything to the best of my abilities.” 

Pryce Henry shared what it was like competing in multiple competitions, including technical math and mobile robotics, and how this will have a long-term impact on their future. “Technical math and robotics together definitely built my skills a lot more than I probably would have if I didn’t do SkillsUSA in high school,” Pryce explained. “We’re growing our personal skills as well as our technical skills. We’re building up to our futures.” 

Finally, photography competitor Aiyana Little Eagle reflected on what the program has meant overall. “SkillsUSA was an opening factor, introducing me to all these CTE programs,” Aiyana shared. “It’s a really cool event where people can meet people, learn new things and learn new things about yourself. SkillsUSA helped me discover a whole new world.” 

Watch all of these interviews to learn more about how SkillsUSA is preparing the workforce of the future.

By Emma Peterson. 

Three students from Oregon share their SkillsUSA experiences and stories. 

This year, Lauren White, editor of The Coffee Shops™, had the opportunity to attend the 2026 Oregon SkillsUSA state competition. SkillsUSA competitions are fundamental and valuable opportunities for supporting the next generation of tradespeople as they grow their skillsets and understandings of their chosen trades.  Seeing leading professional organizations, like the National Roofing Contractors Association, getting involved is also exciting, as having such support from industry leaders for these future tradespeople gives many confidence in what’s to come.  

This year, Oregon’s state competition was held over the course of two days in April (4/10/26 and 4/11/26) at the Knife River Training Facility in Albany. While there, Lauren talked to three of the students competing: Akshara Dashputre, Theron Tyler and Gayathri Devarapu. Both Akshara and Gayathri are sophomores at the Beaverton Academy of Science and Engineering. As for Theron, he's a senior at Henley High School and is heading to the Oregon Institute of Technology with plans to study mechanical engineering this fall.  

At this year’s competition, Gayathri competed in three events: related technical math, cake decorating and prepared speech. She shared her thoughts about the experience, saying, “Technical math was probably my best event this year because I got to take the test online at school two or three weeks ago. For the other two, they were both at 9 a.m. this morning. So, I had to rush around a bit, but it was really fun.”  

As for Akshara, she competed in computer programming and prepared speech. The former is tied directly to what she is interested in pursuing in the future. She explained, “I wanted to do something involving computer science or cybersecurity related. And so, in this competition, we were given a project that we had to develop and I was able to kind of test my skills that I've already developed over a period of time.” As for the prepared speech competition, Akshara was just excited to talk about her passions. She shared, “The national theme for this year is Champion Your Future. And we had to create a five to seven-minute speech on what that theme means to us and how SkillsUSA ties into it. And that was an exciting event because I got to talk about how passionate I am about SkillsUSA. And writing that speech wasn't just for a competitive event. It was also for me to kind of reflect on my journey so far and what this event really helped me to do.” 

And last but not least, Theron competed in technical drafting and engineering technology design at this year’s competition. Both of these events are quite in depth, as Theron explained:   

For technical drafting, we were given a packet with multiple parts that we had to design, and then we had to follow all the industry professional technical standards and redesigned those parts in a CAD software, computer-aided design. Then we took our CAD model, and then we created a technical drawing that follows all the engineering standards. As for the engineering technology design, we’ve been working on a project for that since December and were even working on it in the hotel on this trip. 

Overall, all three of these students showed off incredible work and dedication at the competition. And while they were competing in mostly different events, they have one thing in common – they are all part of the SkillsUSA Oregon state officer team. Theron is the president for secondary education, Akshara is VP of social media and Gayathri is the reporter. Reflecting on their positions, the sentiment was all excitement and thankfulness. As Gayathri explained, “On our team of 12, we all do a mix of everything. For example, I helped with our community service project with Make-A-Wish and the other day I helped Akshara over here with some Instagram posts. It’s a lot of great experiences and I’m really glad to be a part of it.”  

Want to hear more from these amazing students? Check out Lauren’s full interview with them on the RoofersCoffeeShop YouTube channel!

By Emma Peterson. 

How SkillsUSA is preparing the next generation of roofing and construction professionals through competitions and conferences. 

The phrase “labor shortage” is far from unfamiliar for anyone who has been around the roofing sector or the larger construction trade. In fact, reports indicate that 36% of roofing contractors were concerned about a lack of qualified workers heading into 2026 and that by 2032, there will be “about 22 times more new hires needed in the trades to keep up with demand.” As for the larger construction trade according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the industry is short of somewhere around 500,000 skilled workers.  

How do we overcome these staggering numbers and build up our workforce effectively? One way is by supporting SkillsUSA! SkillsUSA is a workforce development organization that represents more than 440,000 career and technical education students and teachers. According to the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), “[The] trades have relied on SkillsUSA as a pipeline system for new workers since the 1960s. If the roofing industry recruited even 5% of these students, it would have more than 5,000 new roofing workers annually.” 

How do they act as a pipeline for so many workers? SkillsUSA is embedded in CTE classrooms with programming designed to build students' personal, workplace and technical skills, enabling them to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members.  

They also host a variety of events that support the development of the next generation of tradespeople. Probably most well-known is their regional, state and national competitions, where students train with mentors and then showcase their skills. The SkillsUSA Championships occur during SkillsUSA’s annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC) in Atlanta, Georgia. NLSC is all about developing workplace skills, earning industry credentials and building professional networks. And this year, SkillsUSA is putting the spotlight on construction-related trades with a first-of-its-kind Immersive Experience: Construction at NLSC 2026 supported by Lowe’s Foundation and Bosch Community Fund.  

This immersive experience spans three days and connects 100 students with hands-on workforce development “that allows students to experience the job before they get the job through authentic, industry-led learning.” The schedule opens on June 2 with construction scenario challenges and carpentry training. On day two (June 3), students will get to walk through and tour a variety of professional spaces, including an active job site, and attend an employer insights panel. The last day (June 4), dives into NC3 Credentialing, hand tool practice and 3M PPE training.  

As roofing and construction continue to face workforce gaps, SkillsUSA is helping nurture job-ready professionals through hands-on training, competition and leadership development. Supporting programs like SkillsUSA, and the new immersive construction experience at NLSC 2026, is a practical way for the industry to strengthen its talent pipeline and build the workforce of tomorrow. 

Learn more about SkillsUSA, the new Immersive Experience: Construction and how you can support the next generation of professionals!

By Dani Sheehan. 

SkillsUSA National Signing Day is a chance to celebrate the trades, encourage young talent and highlight roofing and construction careers for the next generation. 

From estimating and project management to installation, service and sheet metal fabrication, every successful business depends on individuals who are trained, motivated and ready to grow. As contractors across the country continue to face labor shortages and an aging workforce, investing in the next generation is essential. Programs like SkillsUSA help create a pipeline by connecting students to hands-on training, leadership development and real career opportunities in the skilled trades. 

Events like SkillsUSA National Signing Day help bring that mission to life by publicly recognizing students who are committing to the next step in their careers. Set for May 6, 2026, the nationwide celebration honors students accepting a job offer, beginning an apprenticeship, starting an internship or continuing into technical and career education training.  

Celebrating the trades in a big way 

For years, students heading to four-year universities have enjoyed public recognition through athletic signings and college commitment ceremonies. SkillsUSA National Signing Day brings that same level of excitement and visibility to students choosing skilled career pathways. 

Events like National Signing Day help elevate awareness of career opportunities in construction and roofing while connecting employers with motivated young talent. As a contractor, participating in this event can benefit you in several ways: 

• Build relationships with local schools and SkillsUSA chapters 
• Meet students interested in hands-on careers 
• Promote apprenticeship and training opportunities 
• Strengthen their company’s reputation in the community 
• Help inspire the next generation of roofing professionals 

You can help sponsor or attend a local event to support students in your area while increasing visibility for the roofing trade. SkillsUSA chapters host their own local events, but resources are available to make planning simple, including chapter guides, invitations, press release templates, social media content and event-day materials. Ceremonies can happen in classrooms, school shops, community spaces or even at local businesses. 

The roofing industry needs skilled people who are ready to build, solve problems and take pride in their craft. SkillsUSA National Signing Day shines a light on those students to help ensure the next generation sees roofing and construction as careers full of opportunity. 

Registration ends May 1, 2026. SkillsUSA chapters interested in hosting their own Signing Day event should register now!

By Emma Peterson. 

Sherri Miles explains how SkillsUSA is creating a stronger talent pipeline for the roofing industry. 

Across the United States, SkillsUSA regional competitions are heating up in preparation for the 2026 SkillsUSA National Championship, which will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia this June! To learn more about how students competing in the roofing trade are preparing for this national stage, Coffee Shops editor in chief Lauren White sat down with Sherri Miles, a fourth-generation roofing contractor in Virginia whose company, Miles Roofing, is closely involved in their local SkillsUSA chapter.  

Roofing is a relatively new addition to the SkillsUSA competition roster. The Roofing Alliance first became a partner organization in 2019 with Skills USA nationally.  The National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has expanded the relationship and held first a “demo” competition in 2022!  This occasion was something that Sherri remembers well, as she was involved. She explained, “When NRCA started talking to SkillsUSA, one of the big initiatives was to get boots on the ground around the country to build relationships with local CTE teachers.  I befriended the head of the CTE for Virginia Beach Schools and told them, 'I really want commercial roofing to be a part of this. And I want you guys to be the first ones to participate.” 

That head of CTE got Sherri in contact with a carpentry teacher in the school system who invited the Miles Roofing team to present to his class a couple times. Through that relationship, Sherri and her team prepared the first Virginia team to compete in SkillsUSA for commercial roofing. She recalled, “We got some kids ready for competitions... One of my favorite parts has been when we have rainy days and getting to see my guys who are ProCertified roofers teach these kids. They love connecting with them and sharing the world of roofing with them.” 

That first year they sent one student from Virginia to Nationals, the second year it was two, the third year they sent one and this year, Sherri and Miles Roofing are part of a fundraising effort to send a student named Nick to the competition. She shared a bit of his story:  

The SkillsUSA director from Virginia was one of the teachers and administrators the NRCA brought to the International Roofing Expo (IRE).  After her return to Virginia she got us in contact with a student from a school system we had not worked with before in commercial roofing. He was interested in roofing but had not done any hands-on training with the products. He wasn’t quite prepared for the competition.  SkillsVA and the Virginia Association of Roofing Professionals (VARP) had him come to the state competition and compete as a demonstration and this kid was fantastic. He welded better than some of my guys who have been doing it for a while. He was a really quick study and we immediately knew that he needed to compete at Nationals.  

VARP gave him our endorsement to move on to Nationals and  then I received a text from his teacher saying, ‘Hey, we don’t have the money, I don’t think we can get him there.’   I started calling various organizations because this is a great kid, a great competitor who should be there representing Virginia. How do we get him to Atlanta? 

The answer, bring the roofing community together. Already, Sherri has gotten in contact with NRCA about scholarship money to help Nick’s journey to the SkillsUSA competition, “We will make sure this happens, he will be going. And looking to the future, I am already emailing and calling as many other players as I can to make sure that we have a more robust system in place in the future so other students don’t have to worry about not having the funding to go to Nationals.”  

Because at its core, SkillsUSA is so much more than just a competition. Sherri explained, “SkillsUSA isn’t just a competition. It’s the way we can start the pipeline of kids who are coming out of school credentialed, inspired and ready to join the trades.”  

Want to learn more about helping students make it SkillsUSA? Reach out to Sherri!

By Emma Peterson. 

Learn how NRCA is supporting students like Shelton Horton’s interest in the roofing industry. 

The term “labor shortage” has become very familiar for professionals working in the roofing industry. There are reports that many companies are having to turn down jobs due to lack of labor and the demand for roofers is only expected to increase in the next few years. In response to this need, the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA) has made workforce development one of their key initiatives.  

What NRCA is doing for the future of roofing labor 

NRCA has multiple programs and operations working towards addressing the need for more skilled labor in roofing. Here are some examples of the work they do:  

• CTE schools: NRCA works closely with career and technical education schools around the country to ensure they have the training resources needed to teach students about the roofing industry.  
• SkillsUSA: Through a partnership with this nationwide skill and leadership organization, NRCA is helping encourage and reward interest in the professional trades. 
• Recruitment tools: From handouts and videos to wage factsheets and customizable job descriptions, NRCA has created a library of recruitment resources of roofing companies. 

Overall, NRCA’s role is coordinating the “energies of roofing contractors, manufacturers and local/regional associations to create a viable, interested talent pool for the roofing industry.” 

Meet Central Georgia Technical College’s Shelton Horton 

Shelton Horton from Warner Robins, Georgia is a great example of the power of these workforce development programs have. Shelton is in his final semester studying construction management at Central Georgia Technical College and recently made headlines for competing in the Georgia SkillsUSA Commercial Roofing Competition.  

This year’s competition was the first year that Central Georgia hosted SkillsUSA and Shelton was one of four competitors. Their task? Building a commercial roof like you would on a real job site. Shelton shared some thoughts about the experience, saying, “I stayed up in class, did a lot of training — heat welding, laying it, cutting — a lot of things after class... It was a lot of work but seeing something from start to finish kind of just changes the perspective on everything, makes it rewarding.” 

Ultimately, Shelton’s positive experience at both Central Georgia and the SkillsUSA state competition show how important CTE schools and other workforce development programs are for introducing roofing as a career to students. By supporting these types of programs, NRCA hopes to help people understand the rewarding careers that await them in the trades. As Brandon Elam, director of career services at Central Georgia Technical College, put it: 

There are a lot of job openings in roofing that pay above the average pay, it’s a livable wage. [Further, there’s] a lot of growth available in those pathways. You can start out working for someone else but easily become your own entrepreneur over time. [It’s a great opportunity].  

Learn more about SkillsUSA, CTE schools and other workforce development programs at www.nrca.net/workforce-development.