Fostering new career paths and supporting empowerment in roofing is a driving purpose of the GAF Roofing Academy. This free training program provides people from all backgrounds the skills and opportunity to get started in roofing. Increasingly, women are enrolling in the program and expanding their roofing knowledge, which has been a boon to the industry.

Bridgette Tena and Aydee Altamirano—two Latinas who recently graduated from the GAF Roofing Academy—are shining examples of how everyone wins when more women pursue careers in roofing. Here's a look at the impact women can have on the profession, as well as strategies for encouraging more of them to learn the trade.

Women Are Needed in the Roofing Industry

Due to its past as a male-dominated space, many people don't think of women when they think about roofing. GAF is working hard on changing that.

"Right now, only ~4% of roofers are women," explains Kimberly Santiago-Vega, program manager for GAF Roofing Academy. "The GAF Women in Roofing initiative is playing an important role in developing that pipeline of talent and creating opportunities for women."

There's no question that women—who accounted for 46.8% of the US labor force in 2023, according to the US Department of Labor—can benefit from the good pay, career growth, and meaningful work that's offered through roofing. The academy programming offered by GAF can help them prepare to enter the workforce.

"A typical GAF Roofing Academy class equates to about six months in the field," says Santiago-Vega. "Then, after completing the program, graduates are connected to hiring contractors from our national network of thousands of independent, certified contractors seeking talent. If they are entrepreneurs, we provide guidance to support them in that transition/role."

But increased inclusivity can benefit roofing even more. In an industry that's short on labor, striving to grow in diversity, and ripe for new perspectives and approaches to sustainable building practices, empowering Latina women and other underrepresented groups makes the entire industry stronger.

More Women Are Pursuing Careers in Roofing

Opening doors creates new opportunity, and in recent years, there has been an increase in women considering careers in roofing. The GAF Roofing Academy has played an important role in this growth. Santiago-Vega notes that the training program serves a diverse group of participants, with many coming from underserved and underrepresented groups. Providing the opportunity to gain skills in various roofing technologies—including steep slope, low slope, coatings, sales, and solar integration—has been well received by those who've completed the training.

In addition to industry-related insights and product knowledge, graduates leave the program with a heightened sense of confidence and access to new professional opportunities. Each individual can get something different out of the academy as there's no one-size-fits-all career in roofing; Altamirano and Tena can attest to that.

Altamirano's Expanded Skill Set

After completing the GAF Roofing Academy and getting hired by RSI Roofing almost two years ago, Altamirano has earned praise from CEO John Sawaya, who says she is a "star employee who hits the ground running." Sawaya notes that Altamirano is considered one of the most dedicated and hardworking employees he has hired. As she learned more skills over the years, her duties expanded.

In fact, just recently, Altamirano conducted roof maintenance and was tasked with assisting a roof inspector with their official review of the jobsite. To do this, she was trained on the operation of a 60-foot aerial lift, so she and the inspector could to access 50-foot buildings with no roof hatches. Additionally, Sawaya says that Altamirano is often sought out by RSI's foreman due to her reliability and her ability to follow directions.

The arrangement has been mutually beneficial for Altamirano and RSI Roofing—the company is now investing in having Altamirano attend additional training. The aim is to further develop her abilities so she can move her into the role of project manager.

Tena's Path to Entrepreneurship

Tena's story offers another look at the success that Latinas and other individuals can experience after joining the roofing industry. She was already well into her career when she discovered the GAF Roofing Academy, but the opportunity helped her change her trajectory and feel more professionally fulfilled.

After working in real estate for several years, Tena knew she wanted a change but was hesitant to step into construction even though it was a passion of hers. She shared in an interview with CNBC that she didn't feel like there was a place for her in the industry. "It's such a man's world," Tena says. "I never saw someone who looked like me working in the field."

After apprenticing with a contractor for four years, Tena enrolled in the GAF Roofing Academy in 2020. By February 2021, she was launching her own company, B. Barela Construction. She hasn't looked back; CNBC reported that Tena's company brought in about $180,000 in revenue in 2023 and was on track to surpass $200,000 in revenue for 2024.

Roofing Academy Benefits Contractors and Companies

Sawaya knows firsthand how the GAF Roofing Academy can benefit roofing contractors and companies alike. After seeing how capable and confident Altamirano was upon graduation, RSI Roofing began to prioritize continuing education, even for their seasoned roofers. This created the opportunity for the company to expand into different parts of the industry. For example, RSI employees recently completed a commercial roofing training session that taught them new, more efficient installation methods.

"The GAF Roofing Academy training gives us the benefit of learning the best practices discovered throughout the country," explains Sawaya.

Matching Graduates with Employment Opportunities

The academy training offers a secondary advantage that roofing companies can enjoy: streamlined hiring. The GAF Roofing Academy can help businesses save time and money by narrowing down applicants to those who are singularly committed to roofing.

"I've been teaching roofing academy classes since 2019 and have worked with several locations multiple times, connecting them with our graduates," says Gary Pierson, a GAF CARE trainer who served as Altamirano's Roofing Academy instructor. "This process provides a valuable opportunity to prepare students for the realities of day-to-day work in the industry. It also helps them assess whether roofing is the right fit for them. In many cases, it saves them from the time and effort of applying, only to later realize the job isn't suited to their skills or interests. By giving them a clear understanding upfront, we help avoid the frustration of quitting and starting over in a different role."

Connecting Women to Roofing Opportunities

Women benefit from roofing jobs and the roofing industry benefits by hiring women. Of course, it's not that easy to connect the two groups. Understanding the obstacles to connecting women with roofing opportunities can help every part of the industry. The challenge GAF is addressing is that many women don't know about the opportunities available.

Breaking Down Barriers

Sawaya explains there's a lack of awareness—on both sides—that's traditionally kept women out of the workforce. However, the GAF Roofing Academy is helping change that by introducing roofing company owners to qualified female candidates.. "We have never had a woman answer an employment ad," says Sawaya. "Aydee's hire was a direct result of GAF bringing her into the training. It has made us realize that it is entirely possible to connect more women to these professional opportunities."

Modern roofing has evolved to become more specialized, making physical strength less critical than in the past. "While I can't put Aydee on the end of a 10-foot roll of TPO, she is more than capable of doing the detail work," Sawaya explains. "We need to realize that not every roofer does everything. We mostly have people who specialize in one discipline or another."

Addressing Discrimination Concerns

It's no secret that roofing has long been a male-dominated industry, and women have historically experienced discrimination, or at minimum, doubt in their abilities. That's why programs like the GAF Roofing Academy are so crucial. The training program empowers women with the roofing skills necessary to succeed—and the credibility instilled by the GAF name empowers roofing companies to understand these graduates are viable job candidates.

Empowerment in Roofing Helps Build the Future

The roofing industry is evolving through inclusivity, with companies like GAF and RSI Roofing leading the way. Tena and Altamirano epitomize strength in the sector by seizing opportunities, opening doors, and forging new pathways ahead.

Interested in learning more about the GAF Roofing Academy and industry? Enroll in the free training program and explore if the trade is right for you.