The Roofing Alliance has approved $1 million in funding over four years to establish the Roofing Industry Center, a cutting-edge collaboration between the academic community and the roofing industry.
In partnership with Clemson University’s Nieri Department of Construction, Development and Planning, the center will focus on fostering sustainable growth across the roofing supply chain by driving innovative research and workforce development programs that aim to address crucial industry challenges.
The Roofing Industry Center will be overseen by a steering committee composed of Roofing Alliance leadership and guided by Clemson faculty members.
The initial funding will support the center’s development and implementation phases. The center will focus on creating robust workforce development programs that engage students as early as middle school and extend outreach to high schools, community colleges, technical schools and trade programs. It also will establish a specialized education platform for roofing professionals and conduct pioneering research in sustainability, resiliency, technology and materials.
“Roofing Alliance members are thrilled to partner with Clemson University on this initiative, which we believe will be a game-changer for addressing the industry’s workforce challenges,” said Alison L. LaValley, CAE, executive director of the Roofing Alliance. “Through focused initiatives, we aim to attract, train and retain the next generation of professionals.”
