As St. Louis continues recovering from the devastating tornado this past May, the region is facing an urgent shortage of skilled roofing professionals. To meet this need, GAF brought its Mega Roofing Academy and job fair to the area, training 60 local residents in just four days.
The free program delivered hands-on instruction in residential/steep-slope roofing, commercial/low-slope roofing, and roofing sales—equipping participants to step directly into high-demand roles. Training wrapped up with a job fair that connected graduates to GAF-certified contractors and local employers hiring for full-time positions.
“This training in St. Louis is about more than just training the next generation of roofers—it’s about creating a workforce to help restore homes and hope in the aftermath of disaster,” says Chris Rector, CMO at GAF.
Launched in 2020, the tuition-free GAF Roofing Academy has trained more than 4,400 individuals nationwide, placing over 2,500 in jobs. By focusing on untapped talent pools—veterans, justice-involved individuals, women and minorities—the program creates new pathways to meaningful careers while strengthening local communities.
