Roof system installation has continued almost unfettered during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, training efforts have experienced fits and starts.
One contractor stated: “Because there were many uncertainties from the beginning, we decided to wait on any kind of close-contact training.” As things wore on, this company, as well as others, started holding training outside.
Training outside often is fine, but it has its problems, including lack of access to equipment, mockups and other resources. Also, the industry is used to holding training on inclement weather days, and many contractors suddenly found themselves being torn about how to allocate time on good weather days.
Many companies gradually gave in to the practicalities of inside training. One company trainer relayed his experiences: “From a training perspective, it’s hampered in-house classroom capacities due to our own social distancing guidelines. Originally, we limited the number of people who could be in a room, but then we went to ‘as long as you are socially distanced six feet apart.’”
Some companies leaned into the situation and did some new things. One company leader asked each employee to hold a virtual meeting with a co-worker and record a presentation showing how to do his or her job in detail. The entire project took a week and has become a brand-new training program.
