As much as material shortages are affecting the roofing industry now, a different shortage was on the minds of roofing professionals attending Roofing Day 2022.

“We employ about a million people in our industry. It’s quite a big labor force and I argue that we could employ 2 million because we’re that short in the labor market,” said Ty Smith, owner of Smith & Ramierz Restoration in El Paso, Texas, and incoming Roofing Contractors Association of Texas president.

More than 220 representatives from the industry gathered in Washington, D.C. April 5-6 for Roofing Day 2022, the first in-person fly-in event since the pandemic. The annual two-day event, held by the National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA), invites roofing professionals to meet with their congressional representatives and speak about critical issues facing the industry.

After holding a virtual Roofing Day in 2021, event organizers and attendees were happy to have an in-person event. Even first-timers like Mike Christensen, director of operations for Korellis Roofing in Hammond, Ind., were ready for face-to-face time to talk about the labor shortage.

"We're here to get some insights into the on-goings of what (Roofing Day) entails, how this day has come to evolve, pick up a few things and voice an opinion," Christensen said. "One of the things that piqued my curiosity is immigration reform ... we're struggling with that as far as there's a huge workforce out there we can't tap into."

On April 5, the NRCA hosted a welcome event featuring a presentation from Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.). In addition, Duane Musser, vice president of government relations for the NRCA, helped prepare the audience for their conversations with legislators and their aides. He shared important details about three issues that can address the longstanding workforce shortage problem.

“We hear from our NRCA members all the time that if employers could get more employees, they could be doing anywhere from 10, 20, 30% more work," said Musser. "That’s significant economic activity that is being left on the table.”

The NRCA also organized sessions to further educate and prep attendees, including a congressional chief of staff panel and presentations from Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Scott Ketcham, director of OSHA’s Directorate of Construction. Roofers took the knowledge they gained to a mix of in-person and virtual meetings with members of congress and their staff on April 6.

The Issues at Hand

The Roofing Day Advisory Committee, made up of NRCA and affiliate members who examine key public policies that impact the industry, selected the issues presented to legislators.

The first is reformations of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to ensure more job creators can take advantage of its benefits. The act helps job seekers access employment, education, training and support services to match employers with skilled workers. Funding for the act has only modestly grown since 2020, so in addition to increased funding, the roofing industry is requesting reforms that would cut red tape for small businesses and allow for funding to be used for competency-based programs.

To further address the workforce shortage, Roofing Day attendees advocated for changes to legal immigration in the form of the Workforce for an Expanding Economy Act (HR 4288). This would establish a new visa system allotting more visas in times of economic strength and fewer during downturns.

“Our industry really is not seasonal, so what we need is a new visa that allows people to come to the U.S. to work when the economy demands it on a year-round basis,” said Musser.

As in past years, Roofing Day attendees requested increases to Perkins career and technical education grants. These grants ensure more students obtain the training they need to enter the skilled trades, which in turn would close the workforce gap. In the past year, an additional $46 million was appropriated to the program.

“It makes a difference to get into people’s offices,” said Scott Kawulok, vice president of B&M Roofing in Denver. “It’s a long game … but the more people they hear from that support what we do, support our interest and the interests of small business, the better.”

Roofing Day originated with NRCA CEO Reid Ribble, a former U.S. congressman and the first roofing contractor to lead the association as CEO. He will be retiring as CEO as of the end of May and thanked those who attended for their contributions, urging them to keep building relationships with Congress.

“This Roofing Day event that we all do collectively and together is something that has been putting wins on the floor every single year that we've done it," Ribble told attendees. "Your work here, your time here, is making your industry better, and your relationships that you're going to establish with Congress can be long lasting and can be transformational for the work that we do, and the customers that we serve, and the employees we employ in the industry we care so much about."

Returning attendees such as Rob Kornahrens, CEO of Advanced Roofing Inc. in Florida, were optimistic about making a difference during this year’s event, though it was bittersweet knowing this would be the last one Ribble would attend as the CEO.

“For him to lead the NRCA and start Roofing Day, he deserves a good retirement,” said Kornahrens.