Do you remember John Ratzenberger from Cheers? He played Cliff Claven the postman. He became a proponent of people getting educated in a trade versus college years ago. He researched and found that many people are expected to go to college but many of those people just acquired debt and did not learn anything that would help them excellent in the future. He also found that many trades, life roofers, plumbers and electricians are aging out of their job and there is a shortage of people to fill these jobs. Many people don’t realize that these professionals come with great pay and a short period of learning.
Take roofers for example, the average salary for a roofer in America is close to $46,000. Plus, they get offered benefits like health insurance, participation in a 401(k), paid time off and a flexible schedule. With reward does come some risk. Considered one of the most dangerous professions, the safety protocol that is put into place must be adhered to. Roofers are required to have a rope and harness system and safety nets. The Bureau of Labor and Statistics estimated that in 2018, the death rates were fifty-one-point-five per one hundred thousand roofers. In comparison, the national average is three-point-five per one hundred thousand.
Here are some of the things needed to become a roofer:
- Graduate from high school or earn a Graduate Equivalency Degree also known as a GED
- Attend and trade school. While this is not necessary, it could give you a hand up when applying for a job.
- Become an apprentice. One the job learning is one of the best ways to see if this is the career track for you.
- Employers like you to show you have completed trading. Again, this may give you a hand up when looking for a job.
- Each state dictates whether you need to get licensed or not. Most will require a license and if you take on a job and are not licensed, you could face large fines as well as prison time.
Roofers do a variety of tasks such as:
- Inspect roofs. Many homeowners do not think much about their roof therefore they don’t get it inspected often. Hail, rain, heat and cold can cause cracks and or damage which could lead to costly repairs of not found right away.
- Remove old and damaged roofing and installation new roof.
- Understand the different types of roofing material and how each one needs to be installed.
- Understanding of the different types of roofing is important for recommendations. Each area has different weather patterns, so it is important to know which type of material holds up in each climate.
- Installation and maintenance of roofs on both residential and business buildings.
- In areas that see a lot of precipitations, weatherproofing the roof is common.
- Once experienced, you may start to measure the roof and estimate the cost of installation or replacement.
- Know what the safety regulations are in your state and make sure you and your co-workers adhere to them.
- Become a team leader and mentor to up and coming roofers.