13: How Women Are Making Their Mark On The Industry with Heidi Ellsworth

We all know that the #1 problem the Roofing Industry faces today and in the future is the lack of a qualified workforce. Our interview today with Heidi Ellsworth gives us some help from a source many of us may not have considered before--attracting more women into the industry. We mean NOT just in the office but also up on the roof! Heidi is the chairperson of the National Women in Roofing Council and shares with us what a number of progressive roofing companies are doing to overcome their workforce issues and raise the level of professionalism in the industry.  Heidi has agreed to stay on with us after a great interview last week from episode #12 about technology and software for roofing contractors to talk about her latest project.  What you’ll hear in this episode: Our work force: the #1 problem How the National Women in Roofing Council began in 2016, then added memberships and sponsorships Over 500 members in the first year! The Four Pillars of the organization: mentoring, education, recruitment, and networking The numbers of women in construction compared to other industries New opportunities for women in the industry New technologies on the roof that are perfect for women Roofing: where being a woman is an advantage! Why four-year college is NOT the answer for everyone Commitment to recruiting women into non-traditional trades In Los Angeles, a women’s shelter where women are recruited into the industry with better pay and better benefits than fast-food and retail jobs The membership costs? $60/year (open to men and women) New programs coming soon! How YOU can help! Resources: www.nationalwomeninroofing.org