Career Categories Below this heading you will see a row of icons and names. This navigation allows you to view all the careers within a single category. When you choose a different category it will become highlighted.

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Roofers and Shinglers Directly to the left of this help icon you will see this work outdoors icon that represents where Roofers and Shinglers work most of the time. If the person in the icon is standing outside the building then the work is mostly outside. A person inside respresents mostly insde work and two people (one inside and one outside) represent the work has a bit of both. By clicking the Details buttons to the left will open the page and allow you to read more about becoming a Roofers and Shinglers. After you have spent some time reading and you would like to find out what schools are offering training for Roofers and Shinglers click the Yes, use this career in my Journey button.

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Interior and Exterior Construction

Roofers and Shinglers

work outdoors

Roofers prepare and apply protective coverings to flat and sloped roof surfaces in accordance with construction plans and specifications.

Is this a career that interests you?

  • Related School SubjectsDetails

    Math; English; Shop; Physical Education

  • Field of StudyDetails

    Most roofers are employed by roofing contractors on construction or repair jobs. Some roofers are members of unions and work from union halls.

    Roofers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 7291: Roofers and Shinglers. In Alberta, 98% of people employed in this classification work in the Construction industry.

  • DutiesDetails

    Roofers work on:

    • Flat roof systems for commercial buildings.
    • Sloped roof systems for homes.

    Flat roof/commercial buildings:

    • Inspect roofs to determine best procedures for repairing.
    • Inspect roofs to determine best product to use to cover.
      • Standard hot asphalt.
      • Elastomeric roof membrane system (rubber-like).
      • Thermo plastic roof membrane system.
      • Modified standard roof system (asphalt and plastic).
    • Estimate material requirements and quote costs.
    • Repair older roofs.
    • Waterproof roofs, plaza decks or parkades.
    • Install green/vegetation roof.
    • Put a layer of vapour/air barrier or insulation on the roof deck.
    • Spread hot tar-like substance over and under layers of roofing felt.
    • May apply waterproof rubber to make the surface watertight.
    • Install metal or membrane flashing (strips) to protect the edges of roofing materials.

    Sloped/residential homes:

    • Inspect roofs to determine best procedures for repairing.
    • Inspect roofs to determine best product to use to cover.
      • Asphalt.
      • Fibreglass.
      • Tile.
      • Slate.
      • Wood shakes.
      • Metal.
    • Estimate material requirements and quote costs.
    • Repair older roofs.
    • Waterproof roofs, basements, foundations, plaza decks or parkades.
    • Install green/vegetated roof parts.
    • Apply membranes, fibreglass or felt first.
    • Nail shingles in overlapping rows.
    • Cement or nail flashing over joints around vent pipes or chimneys.
    • Cover exposed nailheads with cement or tar to prevent rust and water leakage.
  • Working ConditionsDetails

    Location:

    • Indoors
      • No.
    • Outdoors
      • Construction sites.
      • New roofs.
      • New roof covering on old roofs.
      • Extreme weather conditions.

    Hours:

    • Regular Work Schedule (Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
    • May need to work evenings or weekends and/or holidays.
    • May need to work long hours to finish a project.

    Heavy Lifting:

    • Lift and carry 20 kilograms and heavier.
    • Risk of injury working on uneven footing.
    • Risk of injury from falls.
    • Risk of injury working with hazardous and hot materials.
    • Work involves a lot of bending, stooping, kneeling.
  • PersonalDetails

    People working in this trade need the following characteristics:

    • In good physical condition.
    • Good on your feet.
    • Able to work at heights.
    • Interested in working outdoors.
    • Works well with others.
    • Enjoy physical exercise.
    • Enjoy working with hands.
  • EducationDetails

    Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates.

    To work in this trade in Alberta, at least ONE of these must be true:

    • You are a registered apprentice.
    • You are an Alberta-certified journeyperson.
    • You have a recognized related trade certificate.
    • Your employer believes your skills and knowledge are the same as a journeyperson.
    • You are self-employed in this trade.

    To register as an Alberta apprentice you need to have:

    • An employer willing to train you.
    • If you have training or work experience in this trade it may count towards your certification.

    Apprenticeship term:

    • Work on your first year in grade 10-12 through the Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    • 4 years.
    • 1420 work hours each year.
    • 6 weeks of classroom training each year.
    • May take exam in final year to earn Red Seal and work throughout most of Canada.
  • Programs OfferedDetails

    Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at:

    For more information, visit the Technical Training Centre on the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website.

    Pre-employment programs for prospective apprentices and continuing education programs for journeypersons may be offered on an as needed basis by the institution(s) listed above or other schools.

  • AdvancementDetails

    Job Opportunities in this trade include:

    • Management or supervisory positions.
    • Estimator.
    • Self-employed with own business.
    • If you have supervisory or management experience in this trade, you may apply for an Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal by contacting Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

    Job openings are affected by:

    • Current employment rates.
    • People leaving existing positions.
    • Creation of new positions that never existed before.
    • Size of the occupation.
    • Time of year.

    Future Trends:

    • More than 2,300 Albertans work in this category.
    • Expect below average growth of 1.7% from 2013 to 2017 in Alberta.
    • Forecast 39 new positions each year.
    • Lifespan of a roof is 15-20 years, so always a demand for repair work even when new construction is slow.
    • Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
  • SalaryDetails

    Journeyperson wage rates vary but are comparable to other construction trades. Apprentice roofers earn at least 65 per cent of the journeyperson wage rate in their place of employment in the first year, 75 per cent in the second, 85 per cent in the third and 95 per cent in the fourth year.

    According to the 2011 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans in the Roofers and Shinglers occupational group earned on average from $18.14 to $36.27 an hour. The mean wage for this group was $27.16 an hour.

  • Other SourcesDetails