Most roofers acquire their skills by working as helpers for experienced roofers. Some roofers train through 3-year apprenticeship programs. A high school education or its equivalent is helpful, as are courses in mechanical drawing and basic mathematics. Most apprentices are at least 18 years old. The accident rate in the roofing industry is the highest in all construction.
Roofers work outdoors in all types of weather.
Jobs for roofers should be plentiful through the year 2008, primarily because of the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force. Turnover is high - roofing work is hot, strenuous, and dirty, and a significant number of workers treat roofing as a temporary job until something better comes along. Some roofers leave the occupation to go into other construction trades.