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Los aprendices de la temporada 42 de This Old House participan activamente en el adiestramiento en techos GAF

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En tu comunidad

Los aprendices de la temporada 42 de This Old House participan activamente en el adiestramiento en techos GAF

27 de mayo de 2021

Cuando Bobbi Jones, residente de 26 años de Roxbury, MA, y Yeren "Jay" Rivera Cruz, residente de 19 años de Jamaica Plain, MA, fueron seleccionados entre una enorme cantidad de aspirantes para sumarse al equipo de T his Old House en el proyecto Dorchester de la temporada 42, también tuvieron la posibilidad de capacitarse en el oficio de los techos junto a los profesionales.

Ambos graduados del programa YouthBuild Boston 2020, afiliado de YouthBuild USA, una organización sin fines de lucro que ayuda a los jóvenes a continuar su educación, prepararse para carreras y convertirse en líderes comunitarios, Jones y Rivera Cruz se unieron a Charlie Silva y al equipo de This Old House durante seis semanas y participaron en la Roofing Academy de GAF en Nueva Jersey. Allí, ambos aprendieron los principios del techado y cómo esos principios podrían aplicarse en varias carreras profesionales.

YouthBuild graduates getting hands-on roofing training.

Foto de Kevin O'Connor, This Old House

¿Qué es la GAF Roofing Academy?

GAF Roofing Academy es un curso gratuito diseñado para enseñar las habilidades necesarias para un puesto de nivel inicial en techado a través de una combinación de capacitación en el aula y en el techo. Los capacitadores de CARE (Centro para el Avance de la Educción en Techos) comparten la experiencia de la industria del mundo real con sus estudiantes, junto con la última tecnología y las herramientas necesarias para destacarse en el trabajo.

Aprendices de This Old House hablan sobre su experiencia práctica

Hablamos con Jones y Rivera Cruz durante su experiencia y compartieron lo que aprendieron, desde la ciencia detrás de los techos hasta las emocionantes posibilidades profesionales que les esperan.

¿Qué te inspiró a aprender sobre el oficio de los techos?

Rivera Cruz: Quiero aprender sobre todos los componentes de una casa y el techo es la protección básica de la casa. Siempre he tenido curiosidad al respecto, especialmente sobre cómo impedir que el agua se filtre a una casa. También hay muchos otros factores y los techadores son los que deben descubrir cómo hacer que el aire entre y salga del exterior a través del techo.

Jones: Lo que me inspiró fue saber que quiero ser dueño de un negocio. Sentí que si me capacitaba en diferentes campos, podría aprender más sobre lo que constituye una casa y ayudar en diferentes áreas.

¿Qué significó para ti el programa de adiestramiento de Roofing Academy?

Rivera Cruz: El conocimiento que me transmitieron es lo que más valoro. Me cambió completamente la mentalidad. En el adiestramiento, GAF habló sobre cómo la instalación de paneles solares en un techo implica habilidades eléctricas y de techado, y es algo en lo que estoy pensando como una posible carrera.

Jones: Esta experiencia me demostró que puedo hacer cualquier cosa que me proponga. Me mostró que incluso si crees que no eres bueno en algo, o si solo te preocupa probar algo nuevo, nunca lo sabrás hasta que lo intentes.

¿Cuál es la parte más gratificante de aprender sobre techado?

Rivera Cruz: Es el conocimiento que se obtiene y la comprensión de cómo se supone que funciona algo complicado, como techar.

Jones: Para mí, fue aprender más sobre cómo el techo es la parte más importante de una casa porque ayuda a evitar que entren elementos no deseados.

¿Cuál es el mayor desafío?

Rivera Cruz: Me resultó difícil aprender todos los componentes de un techo: lo que hace cada uno y cómo funciona. Todo esto era nuevo para mí, así que acostumbrarme fue un poco desafiante.

Jones: El mayor desafío es conocer los límites de cuán alto estás dispuesto a llegar y recordar tener el equipo de protección personal (PPE) adecuado antes de comenzar un trabajo.

¿Cómo fue experimentar el adiestramiento práctico?

Rivera Cruz: Fue divertido. Los instructores de GAF me dijeron que los techos implican un 90 % de preparación, lo que significa que una vez que tienes esa base primero, la instalación de los materiales para techos se realiza rápidamente.

Jones: Prefiero el adiestramiento práctico; siento que puedo mejorar en lo que estoy haciendo realmente haciéndolo en lugar de simplemente estar sentado en un aula recibiendo un montón de información.

Jones and Rivera Cruz at GAF's Roofing Academy

Foto de Kevin O'Connor, This Old House

¿Qué opinas del oficio de los techos ahora que has completado el adiestramiento?

Rivera Cruz: Estoy interesado en aprender más sobre lo que se necesita para instalar sistemas de paneles solares en las casas, lo que implica manejar habilidades eléctricas y de techado.

Jones: Salí con una perspectiva diferente a la que tenía antes. Definitivamente recomendaría considerar el oficio de techado incluso si una persona no lo había pensado antes. Una vez que sepas lo que estás haciendo, te sentirás bien por dentro.

¿Qué consejo le darías a las personas que estén considerando una carrera en la industria de los techos?

Rivera Cruz: Si estás preparado para un desafío, el techado es definitivamente la carrera adecuada para ti. Ciertamente no es fácil y si sientes que lo tienes, hazlo. Debes tener en cuenta la seguridad, aprender sobre todos los componentes y comprender cómo funcionan el sistema y la ventilación.

Jones: Yo les diría que no dejen que el miedo o las dudas se interpongan en su camino, que salgan y lo hagan; es un gran campo para entrar.

GAF trabaja para proteger lo que más importa: ahora que has completado este adiestramiento, ¿qué es lo más importante para ti?

Rivera Cruz: Mi familia es lo que más me importa. Nacimos en Puerto Rico, mi mamá y sus cinco hijos. Para mí, salir adelante significa todo y quiero dar el ejemplo a mi familia de que cualquiera puede hacerlo.

Jones: ¡La familia es lo que más me importa!

Puedes ver a Rivera Cruz y Jones en la temporada 42 de This Old House, el proyecto Dorchester Triple Decker, que ahora se transmite por PBS. Consulta tus listados locales. Para obtener más información sobre YouthBuild USA, visita YouthBuild.org. Para obtener más información sobre GAF y la Roofing Academy, visita GAF.com/roofing-academy.

En tu comunidad Techos residenciales Roofing Academy Educación Commercial Contractor Employees Residential Contractor Plant Community Entrevista

About the Author

Stephanie Koncewicz

Stephanie Koncewicz es gerente de medios digitales en This Old House.

A Puerto Rico resident outside of his home being repaired by GAF and Team Rubicon

The roofing industry has long been a competitive space for contractors, but that healthy competition has helped drive innovation and lift up independently-owned businesses across the country. BYLTup, Inc. is one such business, and CEO Trevor Leeds is committed to elevating the greater roofing industry through everything his company does.After many years in roofing, Trevor partnered with his brother, Brady Woodside, in 2022 and co-found BYLTup, Inc. in Southern California. The pair started from scratch with a blank slate, allowing them to create a culture and brand experience that raises the industry bar, which is important to them.Trevor knew GAF would be a part of their success from the start. He experienced GAF-certified contractors'* support through his previous company and knew the organization's vision and innovation would be key to building the business.Enhancing Roofing Professionalism and SafetyTrevor is passionate about the roofing industry and believes everyone-from manufacturers and distributors to the contractors performing the installations-should work together to create a professional and positive customer experience. Even more importantly, Trevor advocates for the industry's employees and their experiences; safety is an area he wants more people to consider."We need to be making sure that we are taking care of employee safety," Trevor says. "Everyone should be focused on that. Everyone should be concerned about their employees going home safe and sound every single night. When an accident happens in the industry, it's devastating to the business owner and the individual, but it impacts the industry too. We all feel that in some form or fashion."Guiding the Next Generation through GAF Roofing AcademyTrevor's concern for employees and the industry's future led to his involvement in the GAF Roofing Academy. While he didn't have an immediate need for labor in his business, he recognized that taking action now could contribute to building a pipeline of skilled workers that would benefit the roofing industry as a whole.Trevor observed the pool of talent and skilled workers dwindling during his time in roofing. "You have the baby boomer generation that is retiring and a younger generation that wants to get into tech and doesn't want to get into the trades," he notes. "We've got to be able to hire and attract young talent back into the industry or we're all going to suffer."Training Students at the SoCal Roofing AcademyTrevor first learned about the GAF Roofing Academy at a regional conference and stepped up to assist. 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"They were very proud, holding their certificates and sending photos to their families."Making an Unexpected Hire at BYLTupJust before hosting the SoCal Roofing Academy, GAF Roofing Academy Operations Manager Erick Osuna reached out to Trevor and shared recent graduate Jose Navarro's resume. Jose had completed the commercial roofing training program and stood out to Erick, so he connected with Trevor about possibly hiring him."At that time, I wasn't looking for someone on the commercial roofing side. We weren't really expanding that crew, but we were looking for a production role," Trevor shares. "Long story short, we loved him. He was going to be a great fit for the company, and we hired him as our assistant production manager."Jose excelled on the job. BYLTup quickly moved him into a full production manager role, hiring an assistant to work with him. Trevor says Jose was a great hire. "He's young, he's hungry, he wants to learn. I've never seen another individual in the industry that just wants to learn roofing, and he's a sponge."Committing to Supporting GAF Roofing AcademyTrevor has seen the caliber of students attending and graduating from the GAF Roofing Academy, inspiring his commitment to support ongoing trainings. "I was pleasantly surprised at the overall outcome of the [Roofing Academy] event," he notes. "It encouraged me to the point that I said, 'I want to do this, whether we benefit from it or not, I want to support this at least twice a year, and we want to get more contractors involved in it.'"Want to get involved in supporting the future of the roofing industry? Learn how to participate in a future Roofing Academy and discover the training opportunities available to your team through GAF CARE.*Contractors enrolled in GAF certification programs are not employees or agents of GAF, and GAF does not control or otherwise supervise these independent businesses. 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Take a listen as Austin shares his story of how he found clarity and direction in his professional life, enabling him to thrive in the industry and build a successful future for himself and his family.Are you interested in a career in the roofing industry? Look for a Roofing Academy course in your area.Video TranscriptMy name is Austin Teague. I'm originally born in Tyler, Texas. Moved to Washington when I was a kid at ten. Well, prior to joining the Roofing Academy and, you know, taking my skills to that test, I was sports, strictly sports. Everything in my life I would, you know, I'd work a customer service job. I was in the, you know, the retail industry. I worked at Walgreens, but my personal life was hectic. It was football practice, baseball practice. It was always something going on.There was always something to do. Everything when it comes to roofing, for me, started after the Roofing Academy. 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