Building Science Partners with the Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress

The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress has announced an educational partnership with the construction management schools of Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.; Colorado State University, Fort Collins; and University of Florida, Gainesville.

The universities and the Alliance have agreed to work together to incorporate more roofing-specific curriculum into construction management undergraduate degree programs; provide scholarships to students and faculty; and develop internship programs with roofing contracting companies, manufacturers and distributors.

Scholarships and internships are scheduled to be available by the 2014-15 academic year. At least one student at each of the three schools will receive one $5,000 scholarship; additional competitive scholarships also are planned. In addition, scholarships will be offered to faculty members for work related to the partnership, and up to eight internships are planned for the summer of 2014.

Alliance President Jim MacKimm, president of Beacon Roofing Supply, Peabody, Mass., said: “This partnership is a crucial one for the roofing industry. We know we need to do a much better job of telling students about career opportunities in roofing and making sure they understand the importance of roofing even if they pursue other careers.”

For more information about the Alliance or the new program, contact Bennett Judson, the Alliance’s executive director, at (847) 299-9070, ext. 7513 or bjudson@roofingindustryalliance.net.

The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress was established within the National Roofing Foundation to create an endowment fund to serve as a highly focused resource for the roofing industry and its customers. The Alliance’s objectives are to conduct research and education projects that support high-quality programs for roofing contractors; ensure timely and forward-thinking industry responses to major economic and technological issues; and enhance the long-term viability and attractiveness of the industry to roofing workers. The Alliance also reaches out to the roofing community and its members and helps fund efforts dedicated to good works and charitable giving. More information about the Alliance is available atwww.roofingindustryalliance.net.