Roofing industry steps up with groundbreaking higher education courses

By Jesse Sanchez. 

New roofing curriculum offers a unique educational opportunity for students and industry professionals alike.   

In this episode of Read, Listen, Watch (RLW)®, host Heidi J. Ellsworth sat down with Greg Bloom of Beacon Building Products, Alison LaValley of the Roofing Alliance and Dr. Dhaval Gajjar of Clemson University to discuss innovative courses, which are now available to students and professionals alike. In a significant leap for the roofing industry, Clemson University has partnered with the Roofing Alliance to develop higher education courses aimed at elevating the field's visibility and accessibility. 

Greg, a major supporter of the initiative, expressed the impact of these courses on the industry. "What we do every single day and the way we give back is second to none in this industry," Greg noted, representing the broader mission of fostering education and workforce development within roofing. 

At the heart of the discussion was Dr. Dhaval Gajjar, associate department chair at Clemson, who played a pivotal role in shaping the curriculum. Dhaval recounted his personal journey into the roofing sector, starting from his graduate studies at Arizona State University. Recognizing the lack of focused roofing education in construction management programs nationwide, Dhaval spearheaded the development of comprehensive courses that cover a wide range of roofing topics, from fundamental systems to business and leadership skills. 

The courses are structured into three main segments: Roofing Fundamentals, Roofing Management and Roofing Business and Leadership, each designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge tailored to different aspects of the roofing industry. These programs have not only received positive feedback but have also seen significant enrollment numbers, far exceeding initial expectations. 

Alison, executive director of the Roofing Alliance, explained the broader impact of the program, noting that these courses are not just limited to Clemson but are available to construction management programs across the country. The expansion opportunities for these courses into various universities and technical colleges are extensive. Alison remarked, "The tentacles of it just continue to grow.". 

Read the transcript, Listen to the podcast or Watch the webinar to learn more about the certification program and its offerings!