The roofing industry needs skilled workers. To both address the skilled labor shortage and support the troops at the same time, GAF Roofing Academy offers free training to military veterans, helping provide vets with meaningful careers after service.
From Boots to Roofs
According to the Department of Labor, approximately 200,000 veterans transition into civilian careers each year, and many struggle to find the sense of purpose they experienced in the military. Meanwhile, roofing is in dire need of talent. Last year alone, the construction industry called for 500,000 additional workers beyond the normal pace to meet labor demand, according to Associated Builders and Contractors.
GAF Roofing Academy is working hard to solve both challenges. For military veterans like Brian Hall and Jacob Radford, attending the tuition-free GAF roofing training program successfully fueled their transition into a career path offering more than just financial growth.
"In the military, you're serving people, protecting them, and making sure they have what they need. Roofing feels like an extension of that, just in a different way," explains Brian, who served 23 years in the military—including 14 years deployed overseas. "Now, I'm serving families by protecting their homes. For me, it's about honesty, quality work, and giving people peace of mind. That sense of purpose is the same as what I had in the military. It's about helping others, just with a hammer and shingles instead of a uniform."
What Is the GAF Roofing Academy?
The GAF Roofing Academy—an in-person, hands-on, tuition-free training course—provides technical understanding of the diverse career paths available in roofing and experience with roofing best practices. From those new to roofing to those experienced in roofing and looking to advance their careers, all are welcome.
Brian, who attended with his wife, Camelia, explains, "We knew roofing at a basic level, but the training gave us confidence in the details—from correct nailing patterns and cuts to understanding commercial roofing, like TPO."
Beyond hands-on practice with residential and commercial roofing, graduates can gain skills with in-home sales and restoration. Students can also learn about insurance and warranties.
"You don't need prior experience or knowledge to join," explains Jacob. "GAF Roofing Academy is almost like a roofing bootcamp; you'll learn a lot in a short time and come out better after it."
Jacob recently returned from deployment and wanted what roofing can offer. "It's not just a job; it's a career where you can keep advancing and learning. Roofing contractors like myself can continue to hone their skills. That sense of long-term opportunity is what drew me in."
Roofing training—from basic skills to advanced education—builds community resilience, bolsters the roofing industry labor needs, and opens up well-paying career pathways for often underserved talent pools, including women, justice-involved individuals, veterans, and other minorities in the roofing industry.
Here are some fast facts about the impact of GAF Roofing Academy since opening in 2020:
400+ classes conducted
4,400+ individuals trained
2,500+ individuals successfully placed into jobs—including veterans embracing their new career after service
Inclusivity is core to the program. All are welcome and encouraged to get involved. The program has built a pipeline to employers eager to employ skilled, trained roofers. Plus, veterans are uniquely equipped to succeed in the industry.
"My military experience taught me discipline, resilience, mental fortitude, and how to adapt quickly," explains Jacob, "all qualities that transfer directly into roofing."
How Does GAF Support Vets?
Financial Opportunity
The GAF training program provides viable career path options, plus awareness of a career that can fulfill a veteran's inherent call to service that many civilian jobs can't fill. For many, a career in roofing is life-changing.
Financially, the tuition-free training offers military veterans a long-term path forward that represents stability and economic opportunity. And that economic potential starts early, with the average starting roofing salary around $40,000—which is more than the national average annual salary of other entry-level jobs. Veterans do not need to apply any of their benefits to receive the training tuition-free, and that's just the start.
For military veterans like Brian, graduating from GAF Roofing Academy strengthened his upward career path. The training "walked us through the business side: sales, insurance, warranties," shares Brian, a project manager at Action Exteriors. "Before the training, I didn't fully understand what GAF warranties meant, but now, I can explain them to customers with confidence. That knowledge has directly improved our sales and given us tools to help clients in a more professional, trustworthy way."
The roofing industry has a clear message, says Jacob. "There's always demand. If you're eager to learn and work hard, you'll have a stable career path with room to grow. That stability made my transition from the military to civilian life advantageous and a direct path to success."
Protect and Serve
Some veterans experience loss after transitioning out of the military because that sense of purpose inherent to their daily work is missing. "Roofing is about more than shingles and nails," says Brian, "it's about earning a homeowner's trust, and my military background gave me the tools to do that."
Additionally, transitioning from military service to a routine job can be challenging for veterans accustomed to action and problem-solving. "Both careers demand resilience and problem-solving under pressure," says Brian.
"In the military, you can't always predict what's coming next, and you need to adapt quickly. Roofing is the same way; every project, every roof is different. You might run into improper manufacturing, storm damage, or unique installation challenges. The ability to assess the situation, stay calm, and find a solution carries directly over. And like the military, roofing isn't a nine-to-five—it's a lifestyle. You've got to love the pace, the physicality, and the satisfaction of helping people."
Built for Success: Department of Defense & GAF Roofing Academy
GAF Roofing Academy has been approved by the Department of Defense to partner with its SkillBridge training program, which means GAF has an even broader scope to provide industry-leading roofing training to veterans seeking secure, long-term careers in the industry. This designation supports military veterans and the industry by creating a national pipeline for employers in need of the qualities vets can bring to the job. The result has been meaningful, with 43% of service member graduates to date being placed in stable, good-paying jobs.
With this approval, GAF can offer tuition-free—no benefit use required—training to eligible service members, helping them seamlessly transition into the roofing industry. This positions the GAF Roofing Academy to:
Expand reach to highly skilled, disciplined candidates with a strong work ethic
Increase participation among veterans and transitioning service members in GAF programs
Strengthen GAF commitment to workforce development and support for our veteran community
Elevate our national visibility and strategic alignment with GAF certified employers eager to hire trained, job-ready veterans
GAF has partnered with organizations like The Army Career Skills Program, Medical Evaluation Board Career Skills Program, NextOp, Work for Warriors, Veterans Affairs, Colorado Veterans Project, and Team Rubicon to bring the GAF Roofing Academy training to service members across the country.
Built for the Future
"Roofing gave me a chance to not only start a second career but to do it alongside my wife, Camelia," says Brian. "Now, instead of missing milestones, we're building something together every day. That's been the most rewarding part—working as a team, growing the business, and having the freedom to spend time with our son and even take vacations."
For Jacob, "roofing represents an opportunity to build something meaningful, no matter where I am. I'm all about stability and growth potential, and roofing offered both. What really appealed to me is this industry rewards effort; your success is based on the work you put in."
Veterans, ready to start or up-level your roofing career? Contact the GAF Roofing Academy to learn more or find a training near you.
"I'd say don't hesitate," says Brian. "The trades and roofing, in particular, give you an opportunity to take the skills you already have—discipline, focus, teamwork—and put them into a career where your success is really up to you."
