Education · 1 of 4
The path
There is no school for this. You get on a crew, or into a registered apprenticeship, and you learn on the roof.
- 1
High school
Grades 11 and 12
Finish it if you can. Geometry, shop and a summer of labor work tell you in eight weeks whether you can stand the heat.
- 2
Get hired as a helper
0 to 6 months
Tear-off, carrying bundles, cleaning the site. Show up on time for one season and you are ahead of most people.
- 3
Learn to install
1 to 3 years
Underlayment, starter course, shingles, valleys, flashing, vents. Then the harder work: metal, tile and flat roof systems.
- 4
Registered apprenticeship, if there is one nearby
3 years
The standard shape is paid work all year plus at least 144 hours of classroom time a year. Unions and larger contractors run them.
- 5
Lead or foreman
Year 3 onward
Measuring and ordering material, running a crew, dealing with the homeowner and the inspector.