Recruiting the Next Generation of Construction Workers
Construction is facing a labor shortage that the industry is struggling to overcome. For many firms, a fully-staffed workforce is a huge challenge. Job openings are up in a big way, and filling those positions with competent workers is a time-consuming process. There’s no quick fix, no easy solution other than acknowledging that challenges facing the industry and working with that knowledge in-hand. For construction companies to recruit and retain workers, they may need to alter their methods in order to competitively attract the next generation of construction workers.
At Synergy Equipment, we understand the difficulties facing the construction industry and how a lack of qualified construction workers is hampering businesses’ ability to grow and flourish. In that spirit, we’ve taken to putting together some information on how to recruit the next generation of construction workers. Read on for some more information, or if you’re just interested in taking a look at the best new and used heavy equipment around, head into one of our locations where we’re proud to serve Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, Florida, as well as Macon and Savannah, Georgia.
Competitive Compensation and Career Paths
Finding, recruiting, and retaining a qualified crew of construction workers begins with adequate compensation and benefits that show you’re willing to pay your employees what they deserve. To compete with other industries, it’s important to offer benefits like family leave, vacation, 401K matching, medical insurance, and flexible schedules. When direct monetary compensation is stiff, you need to make sure you’re offering more than just a paycheck if you want them to stick around and build their career within your company.
Locally Sourced
While the world might seem small and interconnected in modern times, local businesses with local employees are still the mainstay of the nation. And if you want to generate interest in those who are looking for career paths after leaving high school, you’ll have to start reaching out to students to introduce them to your industry. Job fairs and career days at community colleges and universities can also be a great place to scoop up some local talent, or at least make your presence known.
Summer jobs and internships (paid!) are a great way to generate interest, train a potential new employee, and can be folded into national programs like ACE Mentor Programs of America and YouthBuild USA. Local programs may already exist in and around your community, so don’t be afraid to reach out and offer what you can to become part of fostering interest in construction at the local level.
On-Job Training
On-job and ongoing training can bring a lot of benefit into your business as well as improve the performance of your employees. Training opportunities show employees you want to invest in their future both within your industry and your company. If you can help your employees reach their career goals, they’ll think of your company’s future as indistinguishable from their own.
Continuous learning also helps workers engage and stay interested in their work, and training across disciplines opens up both new levels of skill and worker competency.
Be Clear About Company Culture
Understand what sets your company apart from the rest. Just as employees write up their resumes and cover letters with the hope a bit of their personality will bleed through the page and make the difference in a hiring decision, you and your company should present a clear idea of what working with your company looks like. If you use a lot of new technology, this can be a huge selling point with younger construction workers looking to increase efficiency and safety in the industry, while big pay and benefits and career advancement opportunities will reel in the big fish and those with the experience and skills you’re looking for.
Don’t Forget: Safety First!
The top priority for any construction company should be safety. If your company has a strong safety culture or a rock-solid safety record, you can use that to recruit workers. By adopting a strong safety culture, it allows you to promote your commitment to protecting workers when recruiting new employees. It also shows you value and care about your employees’ well-being and will help you retain workers.
By adopting some of these hiring practices, you’ll be well on your way to preparedness for the next generation of construction workers. If you’re interested in more news about the construction industry, or you’re eager to take a look at our inventory of new and used heavy duty equipment, come into one of our locations throughout Florida and Georgia. We’re proud to serve the cities of Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, Florida, as well as Macon and Savannah, Georgia. Come in today for the best customer service around!