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Product knowledge and installation education are important in every area of roofing, but are particularly important in the specialized world of commercial roofing and weatherproofing. Derbigum, a company that began in 1932, offers a wide variety of training on technical commercial roofing and weatherproofing. Courses cover the theory and practicum and can be completed in a variety of locations, including contractor and distributor yards and training centers in Ohio, Mississipi, New Jersey, California, Maryland, and more.

A few of the Derbigum commercial roofing and weatherproofing courses include:

• APP-Modified Heat Welded Membrane Systems
• APP-Modified Cold Adhesive Applied Membrane Systems
• APP-Modified Base Sheet Application Methods
• DerbiFlash Liquid Flashing Systems
• PMMA Liquid Applied Roof Systems
• Waterproofing Contraction Science
• PMMA Liquid Applied Pedestrian Trafficable Surface Systems
• PMMA Liquid Applied Vehicular Trafficable Surface Systems
• PMMA Liquid Membrane Plaza Deck Systems
• Liquid Flashing for Plaza Deck Systems

After completing a course, a contractor can obtain the title of Derbigum Approved Contractor (DAC). Derbigum also offers AIA approved courses, which qualify for 1 Continuing Education Unit (CEU). The courses include Cold Applied Roofing, Low Slope Roofing overview, and PMMA/PMA (Polymeric Liquid Applied Membranes). These courses can empower contractors by providing a refresher or allowing them to start from scratch on certifications. Education is essential in our business. Derbigum began in Brussels, Belgium, in 1932 by creating waterproofing sealants and mastics. During World War II, they melted pavement to create asphalt and aggregate. The company’s flagship product, Derbigum, was born in the early 1970s with technology inspired by Italy’s asphalt membranes. As American demand grew for their products, they opened a manufacturing plant in Kansis City in 1980. The SOPREMA Group acquired Derbigum in 2018 and they are proud of the work they’ve done. To further explore our contractor training program, please contact Derbigum.

ATAS offers two online education courses, “Metal Roofing: History, Material, Application” and “Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Building Envelopes” available below. “Metal Roofing: History, Material, Application” is approved for 1 AIA/CES LU/HSW while “Innovative Technologies for Sustainable Building Envelopes” is approved for both 1 AIA/CES LU/HSW and 1 GBCI CE Hour. We can also provide any of our in-person seminars as a Virtual Lunch & Learn. Please fill out the request a seminar form, and note in the comments section that you would like the seminar to be presented remotely.

One of the biggest challenges facing the construction industry today is the lack of skilled labor. While finding employees may be a challenge, finding the right employees for your organization can be even more difficult. In this article we will discuss a few items that will ease the challenge of hiring new employees and help ensure that the employees you hire are around long-term.

Contract provisions can make or break your roofing project. This article highlights some key contract provisions that affect both commercial and residential roofers. A roofer that can issue spot and focus on key provisions may be able to reduce liability.

Fabulous book to read on the issue we all face - How can I get and keep good employees?!

Diversity in the workplace is a big talking point these days. Most agree that having an organization made up of diverse individuals with varying backgrounds is a crucial element of building a successful organization. So what exactly is diversity in the workplace?

Some options for PPE for women

Some thoughts on personal development for women in roofing.

IIBEC’s Educational Programs have earned an industry-wide reputation for offering top-quality, comprehensive building envelope education. Designed to provide individuals of differing backgrounds with relevant information about roofing, waterproofing, and building envelope technology and design issues, IIBEC’s educational programs vary in intensity, from basic concepts to advanced specific application principles and theory. This two-day course is a first component of a two-part series covering, in detail, aspects of the technology and science of roofing. It covers the history and evolution of roofing up to present-day common applications. It features terminology and technical information regarding roof decks and structures, roof insulation, bitumen membranes, built-up and modified bitumen membranes and flashing systems. An understanding of heat transfer theory, moisture, thermal design, and the calculation of U-factors will also be presented. Highlights of the program include: critical aspects of roof decking and related supporting structures, heat transfer and practical heat transfer calculations, the function of heat transfer and the different types of roof insulation, the technology behind roofing bitumens and their related BUR and modified-bitumen membranes, and basic flashing nomenclature and bituminous flashing system construction. The Roof Technology and Science I course features fundamental concepts that prove useful for students in other RCI Educational Programs. Roof consultants, facility managers, contractors, architects, engineers, roofing material salespeople, property managers and others can gain new insight and professional development in the continually evolving world of roofing technology.

NRCA University's Roofing 101 program provides an easy, affordable way to learn about roofing fundamentals online. The program is not a DVD based program. It is designed for those new to the roofing industry or anyone who needs to understand roof assemblies and how the industry operates. New employees, customers, facility managers, building owners and design professionals will benefit from this program which teaches design, installation and maintenance, as well as safety, building code compliance, and energy efficiency for low-slope (typically commercial) and steep-slope (typically residential) roof systems.

If general contractors are serious about reducing the industry’s labor shortage, they might want to start lobbying for increased funding to help train and bring in women, or invest in an advocacy campaign alerting women that job opportunities exist in the field.

Curated Forbes articles with a focus on women

Non-traditional jobs for women

For more than 90 years, the Women’s Bureau has been meeting its mandate by: identifying, researching and analyzing the topics working women care about most; pioneering innovative policies and programs to address them; and enhancing public education and outreach efforts to raise awareness on key issues and developments affecting women in the workforce.