ROSEMONT, Ill. — The Roofing Industry Alliance for Progress has announced an educational partnership with the construction management schools of Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.; Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colo.; and University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.

The universities and the Alliance have agreed to work together to incorporate more roofing-specific curriculum into construction management undergraduate degree programs; provide scholarships to students and faculty; and develop internship programs with roofing contracting companies, manufacturers and distributors.

Scholarships and internships are scheduled to be available by the 2014-15 academic year. At least one student at each of the three schools will receive a $5,000 scholarship; additional competitive scholarships also are planned. In addition, scholarships will be offered to faculty members for work related to the partnership, and up to eight internships are planned for the summer of 2014.

Alliance President Jim MacKimm, president of Beacon Roofing Supply, Peabody, Mass., said, “This partnership is a crucial one for the roofing industry. We know we need to do a much better job of telling students about career opportunities in roofing and making sure they understand the importance of roofing, even if they pursue other careers.”

For more information, email bjudson@roofingindustryalliance.net or visit www.roofingindustryalliance.net.