It’s almost exhausting to write that the construction industry is wrestling with workforce development. It’s been the preeminent struggle for some time now, and all the industry’s companies and organizations are doing their level best to solve the problem. The National Roofing Contractors Association is working to understand and appreciate these efforts and help to bring them to light. Delving into the current thoughts and focuses on the hiring and retaining of roofing industry professionals, the NRCA offers a place to hang various initiatives. Join us to talk about roofing industry efforts to identify, energize and recruit; onboard; train; and certify roofing employees into an increasingly professionalized career.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss roofing industry involvement and initiatives in career and technical education.
- Examine industry involvement in SkillsUSA and other organizations.
- Compare roofing industry certifications with those in other arenas of metal construction.
- Articulate how certifying workers benefits companies.
- Identify training resources available to elevate new workers.
- Walk away with a tool to assess the dollar value of a trained workforce.
Continuing Education Credits:
1.0 AIA LU 
1.0 FL DBPR LU 
Amy Staska
VP of NRCA University, NRCA
Amy Staska has been with NRCA since 2011 and also worked for the association for seven years from 1996 to 2004. Amy has worked in training and education her entire career, including at Awana Clubs International—a non-denominational children’s and youth Christian ministry—and the University of New Hampshire. At NRCA, Amy started her work in health and safety and, as part of the education department, has develop the Future Executives Institute and has shaped and taught the Foreman Leadership Training programs, CERTA and others. Amy’s current responsibilities include leading the education department team, spearheading development of TRAC training for installers and working with the NRCA University Operations Committee to ensure all NRCA University offerings are well-developed, thorough and meet member needs.
Jared Ribble
VP of Certification, NRCA
Jared Ribble serves the roofing industry as Vice President of Certification for NRCA. His team developed ProCertification®, the roofing industry’s most comprehensive consumer protection program certifying a roofing installer’s skills and professionalism. Jared is a sought-after speaker for regional association conventions, even keynoting the 2019 Roofing Contractors of Texas convention. As a presenter, Jared combines passion with his own unique storytelling and facilitation style to help point roofing professionals toward actionable steps to develop roofing talent so building owners have confidence their roofs will protect them when it matters most.
John Esbenshade
Director, Workforce Development, NRCA
John Esbenshade serves as the Director of Workforce Development of the National Roofing Contractors Association. John started in education, working as a teacher for at-risk middle and high school students. He has held certifications in English 6-12, History 6-12, ESOL K-12, and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). He is an alumnus of Florida Southern College in Lakeland, Florida, where he majored in Psychology with focuses in Educational and Abnormal Psychology. Prior to joining NRCA, John worked at NCCER developing curriculum for the construction industry.