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A GAF Roofing Academy Success Story When Training Leads to a Career

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In Your Community

A GAF Roofing Academy Success Story: When Training Leads to a Career

February 28, 2023

Kimberly Santiago teaches in front of a class

With an overall industry labor shortage, roofers are in high demand. Those contemplating a career in roofing should consider the training provided by the GAF Roofing Academy, where students can learn the skills and industrial knowledge they need to get started in the industry.

Kimberly Santiago, instructor and training manager for the GAF Roofing Academy, is a tremendous example of what the program offers to students. She recently shared her experiences with the program and in the roofing industry in general.

Q: How did you get involved with the GAF Roofing Academy?

There were a few things that kind of pushed me in this direction. I used to be in academia, pursuing a PhD in education, with a minor in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, graduating with an ED.S in 2018. While studying and teaching, I was also involved with a local nonprofit called Proyecto Mariposas, which provided different opportunities for career development, education, and creative exploration for Latina mothers and daughters. We were very passionate about helping these girls explore alternative and nontraditional careers or pathways. During that same time, I was elected as a Huntington Grant Reader for the Women's Fund in Central Ohio. Many of the grants I was reading were from the construction industry or the trades. That really kind of stuck with me.

I've always been very interdisciplinary and hands-on, and I was at the point in my career where I felt like I wanted to do more. I was working as an instructional designer at a university in Columbus, OH and I landed a side job working with a roofing subcontractor. I started learning about the industry—and I fell in love with it!

One day I decided to just go all in, and I left my job in academia and built my own roofing company from the ground up. I started looking for educational opportunities and found the GAF Roofing Academy. Since this was at the height of the pandemic, the course was offered as an online session focused on residential roofing installation. I took all the classes that the GAF Roofing Academy offered. I was having some success on my own, but GAF really took me to the next level. After about three years of working in my own company, I got the opportunity to teach these courses. This is the perfect combination of all of the things I've done—education, teaching, roofing, and helping the community.

Kimberly standing with GAF CARE certificate

Q: What can students expect to learn from the GAF Roofing Academy?

We're trying to equip people with the skills they need to get into the roofing industry and work in any position they're interested in, whether it's installation, sales, manufacturing, distribution, project management, or insurance, among many other areas.

We teach commercial roofing installation (TPO), residential steep slope installation, shingle systems, ventilation, coatings, sales training, and solar integration. We also partner with solar installation companies that help teach our students.

Because of my experience with my own company, I am in the process of creating a two-day hands-on installation training for residential steep-slope roofing, and then two days of how to sell that roof that you just learned to install. I'm also developing a module related to insurance and restoration.

Q: Who are your students?

Roofing Academy students are 87% male and 13% female. 33% of these students are Hispanic/Latino, 31% African American, 23% White, 2% Pacific Islander, 9% are two or more races, 1% Asian, and 1% American Indian. We teach at-risk youth, entrepreneurs, those who are formerly incarcerated, transitioning military, underemployed, and unemployed. We welcome candidates from all walks of life into the program and encourage anyone who is interested to inquire about attending a session.

Kimberly with her roofing Academy class on the roof

Q: What is the most important thing you provide for students?

I'd say that 60% of our job is placement and 40% is training. We're really focused on providing a career opportunity, not just training. When a student leaves our class, we want them to do something with their lives. We have contractors who come in the last day of class and interview students, and they're often placed that week or shortly thereafter. The key is they leave the course with a job. These are well-paying jobs with benefits that offer opportunities for growth.

In addition, once they have proof of employment, we send them a toolkit focused on the type of roofing they'll be doing, whether it's commercial or residential. We also provide OSHA 10 training as part of the class.

students learn commercial roofing at the GAF Roofing Academy

Q: How much does it cost for students to attend?

It's completely free. So, they get training, they get tools, and they have the opportunity to be considered for a job if that's their ultimate focus. I think everyone comes out winning in the end.

Q: How long is the training?

It depends. We offer one- and two-week courses. The first week may be residential and then the second week will be in-home sales. Sometimes it will be one week residential and one week commercial. Sometimes it will just be one week, either residential or commercial.

Q: What would you say to people who might be contemplating attending the GAF Roofing Academy?

It's life-changing. There are people who are looking for a change and there are people who aren't accepted in other industries because of their background. At the GAF Roofing Academy, all that goes out the window because we believe in second chances and that anyone can be successful.

One of our students—his name is Derek—was formerly incarcerated for many years. He was trained shortly after being released from the prison system and has now become successful in his new sales role, selling over one million dollars in roofing annually.

Q: How do people enroll for the GAF Roofing Academy?

Visit our website at www.gaf.com/roofingacademy where you can find a list of all the courses at each location. Applicants will be asked to provide some general information and register for the classes they want. Applicants will be interviewed to see if they are a good match for the course, as we're looking for students who are in search of employment and growth opportunities within the industry. Those who are a good match will be welcomed to come to class.

The GAF Roofing Academy can give you more than a job—it can provide access to a career. And with continuing job support through the WorkBelt platform, GAF will be there to help!

About the Author

Dawn Killough

Dawn Killough is a freelance writer in the construction, finance, and accounting fields. She is the author of an ebook about green building and writes for construction tech and green building websites. She lives in Salem, Oregon with her husband and four cats.

The roofing industry can provide a reliable and rewarding living with potential for growth. As the industry faces an unprecedented labor shortage, pay rates are increasing, and the industry has expanded offerings for training and certification programs to elevate roofing practices across the board.How Much Do Roofers Make?A roofer salary will vary based on a number of factors, including whether the work is residential or commercial. Residential roofing is more straightforward and can usually be completed in a short time.Commercial roofing, on the other hand, may require more specialized training. The jobs are also much larger—sometimes lasting weeks or months, depending on the size and complexity of the roof.The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in the top five states with the highest employment level in roofers, the average annual salary ranges from $42,000 to $63,000. Depending on where in the country you work as a roofer, the annual salary can be as high as $87,000 per year. In 2022, the median roofer salary was reported to be $51,910 annually or $24.96 per hour.What Makes Roofing a Rewarding Career?The roofing industry can deliver a rewarding career with plenty of opportunities for advancement. Being able to work outside every day with amazing views from the rooftop inspires many craftsmen to consider a career in roofing. Often, workers start as an installer and then advance their way up to roles with more responsibility such as project manager, superintendent, estimator, or sales. Some even go on to start their own roofing companies.Working in the roofing industry is typically stable. According to the US Census Bureau, there were roughly 144 million homes across the country as of July 2022. Every one of those homes has a roof that will need to be replaced at some point. On the commercial side, the Commercial Buildings Energy Consumption Survey estimated in their most recent report from 2018 that there are 5.9 million commercial buildings in the US. These commercial buildings will require regular maintenance, repairs, and eventually a new or restored roofing system.What's Elevating the Modern Roofing Industry?Working in roofing was not always seen as a professional, reputable line of work, but organizations like the National Roofing Contractors Association have worked hard to elevate the reputation of the industry. They have established the Training for Roof Application Careers (TRAC) program to provide training for commercial and residential roofing installation as well as prepare workers to become successful foremen and managers.In addition to the TRAC training program, the NRCA has started a ProCertification® program that allows experienced roofing installers to demonstrate their knowledge and skills and become certified in the installation of specific roofing systems.How Can You Get into Roofing?If you think that a career in the roofing industry might be a good fit for you, there are plenty of opportunities. In the past, many installers could only learn on the job. Today manufacturers, including GAF, offer programs that prepare workers to enter the industry.The GAF Roofing Academy is held in locations across the country and offers one- or two-week hands-on training programs that arm you with the skills you need to start your career in the roofing industry. Learn about the experience from recent graduates, and explore upcoming courses in your area.

The GAF Roofing Academy is making a difference in the lives of its students and in local communities throughout the U.S. The program offers both classroom and on-the-roof training at no cost to participants, and whenever possible, the on-the-roof training portion helps provide roofs to those in need, working hand in hand with GAF's non-profit partners.As part of GAF Community Matters, GAF led a special initiative in the Gulf Coast region to help build resiliency following the devastating hurricanes that impacted families and communities. This was a perfect opportunity to offer a GAF Roofing Academy class in the area that would train community members, like Louisiana native Andre Henson, in essential roofing skills and contribute toward repairs and reroofs for affected homes. Additionally, the class was joined by acclaimed actor, and New Orleans native, Anthony Mackie to work alongside the students to help reroof a home in their communityWe had the chance to speak with Henson, who graduated with this special GAF Roofing Academy class, about his experience with the program, its impact on his life, and how giving back to a veteran in the Gulf Coast community affected him.Q&A with Andre HensonWhat was it like growing up in New Orleans?Growing up in New Orleans, everybody was close. All my family would stay right down the street from each other. I would see them every day, and we just had that relationship that was very tight-knit.I'm super blessed. My mom was in the military. We were down here probably a year before Katrina hit, and then we moved up to north Louisiana. She invested in real estate, so we were always just out at the houses cutting grass, fixing places, and we stayed active.What are some of the challenges you faced after being relocated by a storm?I'd say the biggest challenge was getting out there to meet new people and understanding different walks of life. People from Louisiana are different than people from Texas; people from Texas don't act like people from California. It's just getting used to different surroundings and interacting with different people.How did the storms that hit New Orleans affect your family?My mom's part of the family all came up to north Louisiana. It was just like a big family reunion. I had cousins that I didn't really know well, and now we were going to school together, so it was like the storms brought us closer together. That was the upside of the storms.They were out of their homes for about a year and a half. But my mom had real estate houses, so she put them in the houses and [told them] whenever you're ready to leave, you can leave.Why did you decide to take part in the GAF Roofing Academy?The reason why I decided to join the GAF Roofing Academy was because I wanted to find a new trade. I've done fitness, I've done construction, I've done demolition, but not roofing—roofing was new for me. I joined the class, and the instructors were very knowledgeable. I loved the course—he was very hands-on. That's what I really liked about the course.How does it feel to be able to give back to others affected by the storms through GAF Community Matters?It's an unforgettable feeling. [The homeowner is] a veteran, and my mom's a veteran, so I know the toll that takes on them. Having the community come out and reach out their hand—I know that he's going to sleep good at night knowing that his community cares about him.Were you surprised to see actor Anthony Mackie at the project?I was like, wow! He comes up, and I was thinking he's probably here for publicity, but he actually knows about roofing. His parents owned a roofing company, and he's been doing this since he was eight years old. He was up there teaching me some things I didn't know. I just got done with the class, and he's an expert. So, I'm just taking all the pointers he can give me.How do you think learning the skill of roofing will impact your future?I feel like it's a lifelong trade that I will forever know, and I'll be able to pass it down to my kids, my cousins, and my family members. My mom is in real estate, so if she has a roofing problem, I can go up there. I know how to [install] shingles. GAF has taught me a whole lot about everything I need to know.I am looking to start a career in roofing. I want to learn from the inside out how roofing works, and they are setting us up for interviews.Getting InvolvedWant to know more about how you can learn a new trade at the GAF Roofing Academy while supporting your community? Find training near you and sign up to take a class today.

This past fall, more than 50 students participated in GAF Roofing Academy training week in Southern California. The free, week-long event united roofing leaders, contractors, and aspiring roofers, eager to learn the trade. The event concluded with a career fair, which allowed students to immediately meet with potential employers. GAF is a leading proponent of roofing education and training, providing countless opportunities like this to align industry leaders, reduce the industry labor shortage, and empower communities from the ground up with long-term, well-paying roofing opportunities.Helping the Roofing Industry and Graduates"The roofing industry is dealing with a labor shortage and lack of skilled labor," says Scott Bolt, a third-generation roofer and president of Celoseal Roofing in Orange, California. "GAF is the only manufacturer in the construction—not just the roofing but the construction—industry that is listening to the call that contractors need help. The fact that GAF provides contractors with highly organized events like this, with eager recruits and competent trainers—it means a lot to me."The Roofing Academy was just as valuable to the graduates. "I got a roofing job starting this Monday," says GAF Roofing Academy graduate Joncele Cavona Soto. Soto, a US military veteran born in Puerto Rico, served for years while deployed around the world. Recently searching job sites, he learned about the Roofing Academy training. "I applied, was accepted, and now I have a roofing job just one month after leaving the military. This is big for me," he says.Preparing Students for SuccessThe SoCal training covered three key industry sectors: residential steep-slope roofing, commercial low-slope roofing, and roofing sales and insurance. Students chose one focus, then participated in a five-day course combining in-classroom education and hands-on training. Throughout the event, they gained the necessary basic skills to begin a roofing career. The courses were hosted by three GAF certified contractors, eager to share their expertise with the next generation of roofers.BYLTup from Long Beach, California, taught the residential steep-slope roofing class.Celoseal Roofing from Orange, California, taught the commercial low-slope roofing class.Antis Roofing & Waterproofing from Irvine, California, taught the sales and insurance class."When GAF wants to do anything, Antis wants to partner with them," says Charles Antis, owner of Antis Roofing & Waterproofing. "Yesterday, GAF donated 60 squares of shingles to the Sister League of San Diego that we installed." The GAF Community Matters ethos matters to Antis. "We can go into communities across the country and bring people into the trades that otherwise wouldn't get here. I'm super gung-ho about the GAF Roofing Academy," he says. His business has partnered with GAF on seven roofing classes over the years, plus the roofing sales and insurance course at the Roofing Academy event.Students weren't required to have experience—just a passion to learn the trade. "I saw GAF Roofing Academy scrolling through Instagram," says 22-year-old Angelique Mojina from Fontana, California. "I clicked and I signed myself up. I wanted to leave warehouse work and this was my opportunity." Now that Mojina has graduated, the ability to put a roof over someone's home gives her a feeling of gratitude and accomplishment.Securing Jobs and Reducing Labor ShortagesWorkers and companies who participated in the GAF Roofing Academy training week enjoyed immediate benefits.At the career fair, Nathan Blackburn, general manager at Celoseal Roofing, says, "We've hired 20 people today. It's amazing. We've complained for years about not being able to find qualified employees, and now I've got 20 eager people knocking on my door who just spent a week learning how to roof. They want to work; they want this opportunity."The academy also fostered mutually beneficial relationships. Bolt of Celoseal Roofing worked side by side with students in his commercial low-slope roofing class. One student in the class brought him a job application, and he offered him a position with Celoseal Roofing on the spot. "Over the week, I had seen his natural potential, ambition, compassion for co-workers, and leadership skills," he says. "He's looking for a career and a change of direction in his life, and we have something to offer him. He'll onboard Monday, so we have our first recruit."Fostering a Rewarding Career PathThe GAF Roofing Academy offers a new path forward for students of all walks of life. Jacob Mosprey from Anaheim, California, worked in security for 17 years. "In security, you secure property and protect life, but you're not held in high regard. And there was no growth opportunity," he says. "I have a wife and three kids. I want my wife to know she has a husband who has a respectable career."Mosprey's journey is a powerful and hard-won story of perseverance. "During my life, I did go through homelessness, and I was incarcerated a couple of times," says Mosprey. "Now... I appreciate my struggles." Participating in the Roofing Academy has given him a new skill set and an opportunity to improve his own life, as well as the lives of others.Interested in participating in the GAF Roofing Academy and changing your trajectory? Enroll as a student today or partner with GAF Roofing Academy as a contractor.

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A GAF Roofing Academy Success Story: When Training Leads to a Career

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