Lifelong Learning

The depth and diversity of continuing education options in the roofing industry continues to amaze me. Courses sponsored by industry associations, manufacturers, trade shows and contractors abound. In the year of the pandemic, more online options have emerged, and webinars and videos have taken center stage.

In an industry that is constantly evolving, roofing professionals need to keep up with changes in technology and product development. They also have to stay on top of codes and regulations, and make sure jobsites are safe and work is profitable. Running a business is no small task, and lifelong learning is a necessary part of the process.

Continuing education can be tough to fit into a busy schedule. It can be a grind. It’s easy to forget that learning can also be a rewarding experience that can pay big dividends down the road.

In the “Business Sense” article in this issue, Paul Scelsi details the numerous benefits of continuous education as enumerated by Kevin Marcano, owner of Marcano Roofing in Salem, Oregon. Marcano views ongoing training as the best investment you can make in yourself and your business.

“If you want to be the best in this industry, in your business or in your personal life, then continuous education is crucial,” Marcano says. “Being a business owner is challenging in the ever-changing roofing industry, in which each decade brings new building products, practices and concepts. If you don’t decide to incorporate continuous education into your process you become a dinosaur; and it’s not a matter of if but when your process becomes extinct. If you want to stand out, if you want to be memorable and leave a legacy, continuous education must be part of your process.”

If you want to jump into continuing education options, check out the on-demand sessions of the IRE Virtual event. Check out the webinars and educational sessions available from the manufacturers you work with, as well as industry associations including the NRCA. The NRCA ProCertification program is a big step in formalizing education and training in the field. Make it the next step in a never-ending learning process.

On-demand video sessions are easier to fit into your schedule than an in-person class, but it still can be tough to do. For those struggling to find the time, Marcano offers these words of wisdom: “Don’t let your thriving business culture become numb to the threat of the most debilitating sickness a company can become diagnosed with: complacency.”