GAF Roofing Academy

Applications will open in Spring 2025
 
Important things to know before applying:
  • Students must be logged in to their district account to submit an application
  • Applications take 15-20 minutes to complete
  • Students will be asked to provide contact information for themselves and a parent/guardian
  • Programs have age requirements, please review details before applying

The GAF Roofing Academy is designed to help students build the necessary skills for entry-level positions. The program combines classroom and on-the-roof training with access to job opportunities from GAF’s national network of thousands of independent, certified contractors seeking talent. Safeguarding, maintaining, and repairing properties—ranging from homes to stadiums—is crucial for long-term sustainability in any building project.

Two supervisors talking with two roofers in the background.  One on a ladder and one on the roof.

Last summer (2023), 15 out of 28 participants received job offers, with starting wages ranging between $20 and $26 per hour, depending on the company they joined.

Summer 2024 Program Details

  • Application deadline: May 17 is the priority deadline. Applications received after the deadline may be considered if there is space. 

  • Program dates: June 17-28 (M-F) from 3:30-7:00 p.m.; no class June 19 in celebration of Juneteenth

  • Meeting location: 10111 S. Tacoma Way, Ste D-3, Tacoma 98499

  • Notification of selected applicants: early June

  • Approximate hours to complete: 40

  • Certification(s) offered: GAF Roofing Academy graduate

  • Completion stipend: $500 (upon successful completion of all program components)

  • Credits toward graduation: 0.5 Skilled and Technical Sciences

  • Total spots available: 20 

  • Special considerations for this program: 

    • Open only to graduating seniors (can be 17 years old)

    • Snacks/beverages provided,

    • Guaranteed interviews

    • Tools provided once placed in employment

  • For additional information, please contact Jeff Klancke: jklanck@tacoma.k12.wa.us

Roof Installer Careers by the Numbers

Roofing positions as your career progresses

Installation is just the beginning.

If you think installation is your only career option in roofing, think again. There are a lot of different ways to make a living in the industry. Best of all, your path is wide open to grow into positions at all levels.

Entry Level Careers Manager Roles Executive Roles
Laborer: Assist roofing teams under the direction of a foreman or contractor
Responsibilities: remove old roofing material, unload and stage equipment and materials
Foreman: Oversee roofing crews and projects
Responsibilities: managing crew members, crew safety, communicating with clients
Owner: Oversee a roofing company
Responsibilities: managing workers, speaking to clients, marketing, high-level project management
Delivery driver: Transport roofing materials
Responsibilities: loading, transporting and unloading materials
Supervisor: Manage a larger roofing team
Responsibilities: scheduling, assigning, and demonstrating roofing work, inspecting work-in-progress and finished projects
Salesperson: Selling roofing materials and products
Responsibilities: communicate with homeowners or facility managers, roofing businesses, and construction companies
Warehouse Worker: Help maintain a warehouse facility
Responsibilities: cleaning in and outside the facility, operating a forklift or other machinery, painting
Project Manager: Manage each stage of roofing installation and repairs to finish projects on-time and within budget
Responsibilities: project planning and cost analysis
Estimator: Provide/lead estimating for larger-scale, commercial projects
Responsibilities: taking measurements, inspecting existing roof material, investigating local codes
Installer: Install roofs on residential homes and/or commercial buildings
Responsibilities: product installation, maintenance and repair work
Service Tech: A highly skilled roofing mechanic
Responsibilities: inspections and identifying leak sources
Estimator: Provide/lead estimating for larger-scale, commercial projects
Responsibilities: taking measurements, inspecting existing roof material, investigating local codes