Workforce

Look to the Past to Recruit for the Future

Recruitment strategies that have helped companies in the past can provide benefits to the next chapter of construction.
By Charlie Kimmel
July 20, 2021
Topics
Workforce

Great recruiters don’t simply recruit for the needs of the day—they look forward and recruit with the future in mind. Using the hard-earned wisdom of the past, industry leaders can look at recruitment strategies, ideal workforce target groups and significant trends that might impact the future of the industry. Of course, there are trends and events that no one can predict; however, there are a few strategies that have helped companies in the past and can continue to benefit companies as they move forward into the next chapter of construction.

Recruit the Right People

One of the most important growth strategies for companies is the idea of focusing recruiting efforts on segments of the workforce that are underrepresented by the construction industry—specifically, creating outreach programs that target veterans and the nation’s youth.

Because of the way the military trains its workers, veterans tend to have a strong work ethic, a powerful sense of loyalty and a passion for meaningful work. All of these qualities translate well to a career in construction, and military veterans are a great option for growing construction companies. Programs such as Helmets to Hardhats and Veterans in Piping provide training and additional resources to veterans with an interest in construction. Additionally, the GI Bill can help provide funding to companies that want to create employment opportunities for former service members.

Students are another untapped source of talent. By reaching out to high schools, trade schools and community colleges, construction companies can provide an education about the industry to students who might not realize what a great option the industry is. Not every student is destined for a four-year university, and the construction industry has high starting salaries with easily attainable training and education requirements that can get up-and-coming workers started on a career path right out of high school. Consider creating jobsite tours or apprenticeship programs that can provide hands-on training as well as technical instruction in the basics of construction for interested students.

Focus on Company Branding

Company branding has never been more important. The majority of the workforce today consists of “digital natives,” meaning most employees were raised in a world of technology and are comfortable with and passionate about high-tech advancements. It also means that unlike previous generations, they have access to a world of information at their fingertips: if a company doesn’t have a great website and a strong social media presence, it is unlikely to impress these generations of workers.

Websites should showcase exciting new projects and use of cutting-edge construction technology. But they should also focus on a company’s values—more and more, people want to work for a company that they can be proud of. For some people, that means a commitment to sustainable construction, while for others it’s the use of drones, 3D printing and other technologies that are revolutionizing the industry.

Build a Great Company Culture

Of course, making a company look great is one thing—and making it a truly great place to work is another. Employees are a company’s most valuable asset, and a great company culture creates a sense of loyalty among employees and improves company performance. The most important factors in any company culture are that employees respect each other, leaders embody trust and integrity, teams are proud of the work they do, and there is a sense of camaraderie and teamwork among the employees.

Companies demonstrate their commitment to fairness, teamwork, integrity, and company pride in different ways—and the good news is, a lot of the practices that create a great culture are inexpensive or free to implement. For example, by strengthening onboarding practices and making sure employees feel like valued members of the team from day one, companies will rise above the competition. No matter what else is going on in the industry (or the world), employees will always value a company that respects and appreciates them, so enhancing a company’s culture is always a sound investment.

Expect the Unexpected

When planning for the future, the most important piece of advice any company can follow is this: expect the unexpected. No one has a crystal ball, and there is simply no way to know for sure what the construction industry will look like one, five or 10 years from now. But companies can prepare for the unknown by making sure their company cultures create motivated and loyal employees, their outreach programs are targeting the best available talent, and their company branding reflects the best they have to offer prospective employees. That way, they are positioned for success no matter what the future brings.

by Charlie Kimmel
As President and CEO, Charlie has dedicated his more than 30-year career to executive search at Kimmel & Associates. Charlie leads with a focus on setting and enabling the highest levels of professional standards and client service.

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