The global workforce has experienced significant shifts since 2020, which has left construction companies struggling to figure out how to hire skilled tradesmen when the skills gap and lack of workers are at an all-time high. Beyond that, the construction industry has been experiencing a skills gap for years – meaning there’s a shortage of people who have the skills needed to complete the jobs that are available.
The Labor Shortage in Construction Explained
The construction labor shortage became a major issue in 2020 due to the issues caused by the pandemic and has had a rippling effect ever since. The labor shortage has impacted construction in many ways with increased labor costs, increased workload, longer working days, and many unfilled jobs – all of which have resulted in construction companies getting less work done. By the beginning of this year, the construction workforce shortage topped half a million (according to Associated Builders and Contractors), indicating that the construction industry required an additional 500,000+ employees to keep up with the demand.
The labor shortage in skilled trades also results from an aging workforce. As many tradesmen are retiring, there are not enough young people who are interested in filling their roles, which causes a generational gap. Another common misconception about trades is that they are physically demanding and low-paying with few career benefits, leading young people away from pursuing them.
Construction companies have been prompted to utilize effective hiring techniques and even outsource their staffing to keep up with the demand for more skilled tradesmen.
Strategies For Hiring Skilled Tradesmen
If your construction company has been impacted by the labor shortage, chances are you’ve been scrambling to fill the available roles you have and that it has been difficult to complete projects. Here are a few ways you can get more skilled tradesmen on your team:
Get Referrals from Current Employees to Grow Your Construction Team
Asking your current employees for referrals is a great way to grow your team with experienced skilled tradesmen. Often in construction, your tradesmen will work with other tradesmen from various construction companies on large-scale projects so they may know of reputable people in the field who are looking for work. Make sure your construction company can offer specific benefits (such as paid time off, paying for higher education, and paying for equipment) as this will always attract more employees. If your company can’t provide benefits for your tradesmen, consider hiring them through a construction staffing agency that will take care of that piece for you.
Connect With Skilled Tradesmen Before They Even Need Work
Having access to talent at an early stage is important. Partnering with high schools, community colleges, and vocational schools is important for any construction company. Organizing events or attending job fairs can provide people with information about what the trades offer, what you have to offer as an employer, and how impactful a career in the trades can be for them both personally and professionally.
Attending industry events with your construction company is important as it can provide opportunities to make new contacts, and reconnect with existing ones. Construction trade shows can also help you stay informed on trends in the industry while being a good opportunity to bring awareness to your brand for prospective new hires.
Outsource Your Construction Staffing
The easiest and quickest way to find qualified skilled tradesmen to work for your construction company is by working with a construction staffing company in New England that specializes in hiring the roles you need to fill. Skilled trades staffing agencies specialize in recruiting candidates with the right technical skills and certifications. Skilled Trades Partners can help you staff for temporary, temp to perm or permanent placements in skilled trades, professional, and renewables positions. The best part about outsourcing your construction staffing is that when you do, you don’t have to worry about benefits or payroll as STP takes care of that for you.
Get Started Filling Construction Roles Without the Heavy Lifting
Navigating the labor shortage in the skilled trades industry requires a proactive and multifaceted approach. The impacts of 2020 have underscored the importance of addressing workforce challenges, including recruitment and retention strategies specific to the unique needs of skilled trades professionals.
Partnerships with educational institutions, asking for referrals, competitive benefits, active participation in industry events, and working with a New England construction staffing company can help businesses attract the right skilled tradesmen. Construction industries will need to invest in these strategies to remain competitive, innovative, and resilient in the face of changing workforce dynamics.
Ready to hire skilled tradesmen without the hassle? Request talent with STP.