Pioneering roofing education in partnership with Cal Poly

By Heidi J. Ellsworth.

The Roofing Alliance’s roofing course program is helping foster the next generation of roofing professionals, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.

The collaboration between the Roofing Alliance and construction management schools around the country continues to provide the next generation of professionals with the expertise and tools needed to succeed. The industry-changing curriculum developed by Clemson University and funded by the Roofing Alliance is now being used at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) to advance roofing education. This collaboration has resulted in a comprehensive roofing course program designed to prepare students for successful careers in the roofing industry.

The partnership between the Roofing Alliance and Cal Poly was born from a mutual goal: to elevate the standards of roofing education and attract new talent to the industry. Vineeth Dharmapalan, previously an assistant professor in the construction management department at Cal Poly, highlighted the significance of this initiative. "The Roofing Alliance’s goal is to bring awareness and education to the roofing industry. The partnership CalPoly has is a crucial step towards achieving this vision," he stated.

The roofing course program at Cal Poly is distinguished by its blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application. Vineeth explained, "This past spring quarter as I was working at CalPoly, I was able to get an elective course approved, titled 'Principles of Roofing, from Design to Construction.' This course provides a comprehensive understanding of roofing construction, covering topics such as steep-slope roofing, low-slope roofing systems, photovoltaic roofs, special roofing systems and more."

The course, primarily aimed at senior students in the undergraduate program, focuses on providing hands-on experience and real-world insights into the roofing industry. "We broke it down into various weekly topics, including understanding and reading blueprints, roofing specifications, estimating, safety, repairs and maintenance along with roofing business in general," Vineeth explained.

One of the unique aspects of the program is the involvement of industry professionals who deliver lectures, offering students firsthand insights into the roofing business. Vineeth shared, "Roofing industry professionals fly in and deliver lectures, which is very cool. This approach allows students to learn directly from those who are actively working in the field, bringing real-world challenges and experiences into the classroom."

This hands-on approach is complemented by the support of the Roofing Alliance, which provides resources and materials for the course. "The Roofing Alliance has been very supportive in terms of providing course modules and helping with the proposal for the elective course. Their involvement has been instrumental in shaping the curriculum and ensuring its relevance to the roofing industry needs," Vineeth emphasized.

As the previous coach for the Cal Poly construction management department’s roofing team, Vineeth was active working with students competing in the Roofing Alliance-sponsored student competition, held yearly at the International Roofing Expo (IRE). "I've been a coach for the Cal Poly roofing team since 2022. The team participates in the annual competition, which offers students a chance to apply their knowledge in a competitive environment and learn from industry experts," he said.

This collaborative effort extends beyond the classroom, as the Roofing Alliance facilitates opportunities for students to attend industry events and gain exposure to the latest advancements in roofing technology and practices. "Even when the team didn't get shortlisted, we still attended the events to learn from other teams' presentations and understand what we could improve," Vineeth added.

The response from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Vineeth shared, "The students loved the roofing course. They appreciated the opportunity to learn from professionals and gain practical insights into the roofing industry. The feedback has been great, with students expressing interest in the business side of roofing and considering careers in the industry."

Looking ahead, CalPoly has plans to expand the program to include additional modules on intermediate roofing concepts and the business aspects of roofing. They are exploring the inclusion of sustainability topics, which is a growing area of interest, while expanding the curriculum to cover areas that will provide students with a broader understanding of the roofing industry and its various facets.

The partnership between the Roofing Alliance and Cal Poly serves as a model for industry-academia collaboration. By integrating practical industry knowledge with academic rigor, this initiative is helping to bridge the gap between education and employment in the roofing sector. Vineeth concluded, "It's important to have diverse courses that expose students to different aspects of the construction industry. This partnership is not only attracting students to the roofing industry but also making them aware of the opportunities and challenges within it."