NRCA's One Voice Initative

NRCA’s national certification initiative, NRCA ProCertification launched in 2018. This exciting industry-changing initiative will help elevate the roofing industry to be on part with other trade professions that currently offer national certifications. In 2018, NRCA University also launched its Qualified Training Conferences, state-of-the-art, three-day classroom and hands-on education programs that give trainers the tools they need to be exceptional trainers. And in 2019, NRCA University launched its Training for Roofing Application Careers program that provides installation training for all types of roof systems. Also in 2019, NRCA developed multiple strategic alliances with workforce development organizations such as SkillsUSA, the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) and others, to expand the industry’s outreach and footprint in the career and technical fields to establish roofing as a core curriculum within schools and enable our members to address workforce shortages.

One of the main topics presented to Congress during Roofing Day in D.C. in 2018, the premier roofing industry advocacy event, was the need for career and technical education reform. Thanks in part to the roofing industry’s efforts, Congress passed legislation to address workforce shortages by reforming and improving career and technical education. Our congressional visits also highlighted the roofing industry’s urgent need for tax reform to allow businesses to be more successful. NRCA succeeded in getting nonresidential roof included as qualifying property under Section 179 of the tax code in H.R. 1. This new law allows small and mid-sized businesses to fully expense the cost of nonresidential roof replacements in the year of purchase rather than the outdated 39-year depreciation schedule.

During 2019, NRCA’s Technical Services and Enterprise Risk Management staff spent more than 80 days attending building code hearings and standards development and insurance meetings to advocate on behalf of the roofing industry. When the roofing industry is represented with One Voice at those important meetings, we can make sure we move the industry forward in a way that yields fair and favorable rulings for industry players and their customers.

In addition to new programs, such as NRCA ProCertification that help increase the level of professionalism for all segments of the roofing industry, NRCA increases the visibility of quality roofing practices and the industry’s charitable work through public relations and social media outreach and National Roofing Week, which saw NRCA member participation grow from previous years. These efforts and initiatives inform consumers about the essential role roofs and roofing professionals play in their communities and dramatically help improve the industry’s image.