As a construction staffing company in Massachusetts, it’s important to us that we help all existing and future skilled tradesmen have the tools and resources that they need to succeed.
In order to do that, we must first talk about the skills gap & what’s been going on in the construction industry.
The skills gap happens when the skills that construction professionals have do not match the needs of employers.
What is a Skills Gap Analysis in Construction?
Picture a scenario when you are trying to use a screwdriver instead of a hammer to hammer nails – you won’t be able to perform as well as the person who has the hammer. This gap can be frustrating in construction, as there’s always a constant demand for more skilled tradesmen.
To get projects done right, we as an industry need to work on closing the gap.
We can help close the skills gap through training, providing more resources to those interested in joining the field, hiring the right people, or doing a mix of it all.
How To Do a Skills Gap Analysis in Your Construction Company
To make sure all of your current and existing projects will be running smoothly, you need to check in with your team and make sure that each skilled tradesman is adequately equipped with the required tools and skills needed. Therefore, learning how to do a skill gap analysis for your construction company helps in bridging the skills gap.
Identify Key Roles
Have a closer look at your team. Every role is critical to achieve your company’s overarching goals, so you’ll need to make sure that each role is clearly defined and deemed necessary.
Define Required Skills
Once you know what roles are necessary to complete your day to day operations as a construction company (whether the roles are currently filled or not), you’ll want to define the skills necessary for each role.
Assess Your Current Workforce
Now, it’s time to take a look at your existing team and figure out their strengths and weaknesses. If there’s several people that don’t have the skills needed to perform their jobs, consider providing continued education or working with a construction staffing company that will.
Identify Gaps
Your current team may lack specialization in particular fields of operation or require more people to carry out specific jobs. Wherever it is, the identification of the gap is critical, so you can then use construction staffing companies to help you fill those gaps within your team.
Develop a Plan
Ensure that onboarding, hiring, or cross-training of your team members is well laid out in a way that fosters any existing skills the team has, and provides opportunities for more skills to be learned over time through benefits you offer your team.
Don’t have the time or resources to offer benefits? Hire your team through a skilled trades staffing company who does.
Closing The Gap Strategies
Equipping your construction crew with the right skills isn’t just about filling gaps – it’s about getting your team ready for success. Here are ways for your company to help close the skills gap effectively:
Training and Upskilling
Invest in training programs and important certifications (like OSHA, for example) to boost your team’s skills. Whether mastering new techniques, honing existing skills, or refining safety protocols, continuous learning allows your crew to excel and adapt to evolving industry demands.
Apprenticeship Programs
Offer apprentice programs that pair young professionals with long time construction veterans through apprenticeships. Working with someone who’s been in the field and watched it change and evolve over time will help any newcomer to the industry learn their trade better.
Partnerships
Partner with local schools or organizations that train skilled tradesmen. You can work with them to customize their training program to address the skills gap.
Technology Adoption
Embracing modern technologies will help close the skills gap as it provides more ways for people to learn the skills that they need, through online training and courses.
How We’re Closing the Skills Gap at Skilled Trades Partners
Among all the things that can be done to close the skills gap, we’ve deemed supporting students learning the trades as one that’s most important to us. This year, we started an initiative called Rock the Voc where we give back to vocational schools by donating $1,000 worth of new tools to their classroom. Doing this allows students to learn new skills that they may not have had the opportunity to before, and also opens up doors for local outreach. Learn more about Rock the Voc, and nominate a school in need.