A Guide for Employers to Recruit and Retain Top Construction Talent

A Guide for Employers to Recruit and Retain Top Construction Talent

Low unemployment and scarce talent make it challenging to find skilled workers for construction jobs these days. What else is causing the talent crunch? Baby Boomers are retiring from the skilled trades in record numbers, and many Millennial and Gen Z job seekers are pursuing college degrees instead of attending a trade school or seeking apprenticeships. 

Although finding the right people for construction jobs can be tough, a qualified construction staffing agency can help you create a strategy to hire and retain the best talent. Your construction recruitment partner will help you fill roles faster and cost-effectively by getting to know your business and suggesting ways to improve your hiring process.  

4 Ways Construction Companies Can Recruit and Retain Construction Talent

People are the backbone of the construction industry. Since the labor shortage shows no sign of easing, it’s vital that you design a proactive strategy to ensure your organization can attract top talent. Consider the following 4 way to improve your construction recruitment efforts: 

Professionals at a construction staffing agency advise a streamlined hiring process

Since there are more construction jobs than there are qualified workers to fill them, your job posts have stiff competition. A clunky hiring process can scare away applicants, sending them straight to your competitors. The key to finding top talent is to make your hiring process simple and quick. Here are a few tips for streamlining your hiring process (and keeping job seekers engaged): 

  • Write good job posts. Attracting good candidates can be as simple as having the right role for them, but you have to communicate the value of the job in your post. Candidates want to know what’s in it for them. Be sure to include the following information in your post: 
  • A job title that includes terms candidates will use while searching for jobs 
  • Copy that speaks to benefits for the job seeker 
  • Essential information about the job duties and requirements 
  • Salary range 
  • Unique company culture information 
  • Make it easy to apply. Can job seekers apply quickly on your website? If not, consider creating a simple online application to capture data. Today’s job seekers don’t want to jump through a lot of hoops. If they can’t apply online—or if your application has too many questions—they may lose interest and look elsewhere for employment. 
  • Be transparent. Keep candidates updated during every step of the hiring process. If they don’t hear from you, they might lose interest and move on to the next opportunity. 
  • Utilize post-interview surveys. You probably won’t hire every candidate you interview, but you can benefit from speaking with them. Survey those who didn’t make the cut and ask them how their interview went. You may be able to use the information to improve your hiring process to attract more qualified candidates. 

Offer on-the-job training

The best construction talent may have a passion for the industry but still need to gain skills. Employers who offer training enable talent from varying backgrounds to apply and potentially get promoted within the company. Consider hiring individuals with the aptitude and cultural fit for your jobs and organization, and offer on-the-job training to help them learn the skills they need to succeed.  

Your current employees can also benefit from training programs to keep their skills sharp—and to develop new ones. Workers want to know how to climb the career ladder, and providing professional development opportunities can help employees see a path for advancement within the company. Offering skill-building opportunities is a great way to show employees you care about their career goals and inspire loyalty to your company. 

Another powerful way to get the word out about opportunities within your organization is by giving presentations at your local high schools or colleges. Students may not be aware of career paths available within the construction industry. Offering summer jobs or internships is another excellent way to encourage interest in the industry. Gaining work experience may inspire them to apply for a job in a few years! 

Offer a competitive compensation package with benefits

The days of cheap construction labor are long gone. Employers must offer competitive wages and benefits to attract skilled workers. Do your research to ensure your offer is in line—or better—than the industry average. If it isn’t, you may want to review your hiring ranges. Hiring a subpar worker can be expensive in terms of quality and safety.  

If you can’t afford to compete on salary alone, consider how you can provide other valuable benefits, such as: 

  • Health insurance 
  • Paid cell phone 
  • Paid holidays or vacation 
  • Flexible work arrangements 
  • Sign-on bonuses 

Leverage technology to hire construction workers

Deloitte expects Millennials to make up 75% of the workforce by 2025, with Gen Z coming right behind them. To reach those segments of the workforce, you need to leverage social media to reach them where they live. Recruiting and advertising online can significantly widen your reach—and attract new generations of workers. 

The construction industry is adopting new technology such as drones, data collection apps, Building Information Modeling software, AI, 3-D printing, and more. Getting up to speed on new tech can be a competitive advantage for your company. You’ll reap the benefit of cutting-edge ways to do business and attract new generations of workers who are comfortable with (and expect to use) technology in all aspects of their lives. 

Partner with a Construction Staffing Agency to find top talent for your company 

619 Recruiting has two primary missions: to mentor and develop people both personally and professionally and to modernize the recruiting industry. Our goals make us the ideal partner for construction companies. Count on us to help you find, develop, and retain top talent for your construction jobs. 

Need to find construction talent fast? We understand the unique business challenges you face every day and can deliver hardworking temporary or direct hire employees for your commercial, civil, or mechanical construction projects. Our construction recruiting agency is based in Indianapolis, IN, but works with clients nationwide, ensuring access to a vast pool of qualified talent. 

Looking to fill construction jobs?  Please complete the form to request an employee today!