Since the industrial revolution, women have been gradually allowed to enter the workforce. From then forward, every generation has taken strides to increase their opportunities. Jobs for women have expanded from tedious factory work then to doctors, lawyers, and business owners today. However, there are still untapped industries where women have been dissuaded and sometimes denied entry. One such industry is roofing and construction, which we here at Roofer Chicks® know and love. We are doing all we can to redefine what makes a skilled tradesman. Our craft lends itself to hard working, intelligent people without the need for financially draining, extended education and although it takes a special kind of person, roofing knows no gender.
According to Indeed.com and MoneyWise.com the average roofer in Texas makes $14,000 more annually than the median salary for women without a college degree. Even now, single women can struggle to get by, especially if they have dependents. Often women become limited by the price of childcare.
What does a career in roofing look like? A trainee starts with basics: tearing off old roofing, packing it to the trailer, then cleaning the ground below. Later, they begin assisting installers, observing techniques, and eventually running the coveted nail gun. Aside from roofing, they learn carpentry, metal work and a bit of engineering. There is a natural progression from working on the crew – the industry offers positions in sales, production, management, IT solutions, etc. The roofing industry is limitless.
Our all-female crew, which began in October 2020, has successfully shattered the stereotypes that women are too weak to handle a labor-intensive job like roofing. In fact, they continue to exceed expectations and have developed into a productive, efficient, well-oiled machine. Each young lady has found their niche. The organized leadership of their foreman, the speed and focus of the installers, the attention to detail of their carpenters, and the remarkable tenacity of the laborers have proven that they can not only make their way in this industry but become a rising force and set a standard for others to aspire to meet. And this is just the beginning…
We, at Roofer Chicks®, are growing and expanding. We would like to empower women who may have what it takes to take their destiny by the horns and join us in our journey to success.