The continued rapid pace of the U.S. economy, combined with an overall reduction in the U.S labor force, has made it incredibly difficult for construction companies and manufacturing companies alike to find, recruit, and hire qualified workers.
A recent article published by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce states that “The latest data shows we have over 10 million job openings in the U.S.—but only 5.7 million unemployed workers.”
The 2023 CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show held in Las Vegas is now in the history books. The thousands of companies that exhibited the show were visited by tens-of-thousands people—many of whom became customers.
So now begins several major dilemmas.
For those that attended the trade show, after the products were purchased and are in the new owners’ possession, who will operate the equipment? In general, numerous American businesses do not have the workers they desperately need to operate their equipment or to keep their businesses running smoothly. And most companies do not have the resources or the time to find qualified workers, as this is not their core competence.
Labor Finders, the largest privately-owned industrial labor staffing company in the United States, has identified five key insights that construction industry employers need to keep in mind.
Jonathan Klorfein, a twenty-three-year veteran in the industrial staffing sector, whose understanding concerning America’s recruiting issues and its solutions was featured at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG trade show. Klorfein, the chief customer officer for Labor Finders, discussed in detail the much needed “Five Critical Tips to Hire Qualified Construction Workers” in 2023:
#1. Tight Job Descriptions: Be extremely specific when defining job roles and responsibilities. This is particularly relevant in the tight 2023 market, as job seekers quickly focus on the listings most relevant to them.
#2. Explicit Requirements: Be extremely specific up-front about the work skills, qualifications, and certifications you need for each position. Don’t waste candidates’ time (or that of your recruiting staff) with roles they can’t fulfill.
#3. Respond Quickly: Be responsive to candidates, demonstrating a strong sense of urgency. Streamline your cumbersome screening and interview processes to avoid losing candidates.
#4. Commit to Safety: Emphasizing that your job site is safe and secure will differentiate you from other employers.
#5. Consider A Staffing Service: Construction companies are great at building things. Staffing firms, particularly those focused on the industrial sector, are built to identify the right talent, recruit them, train them, and take care of details like tax paperwork, worker’s comp insurance, etc. Bringing in a partner, especially in a tight labor market, allows construction businesses to focus on their core competencies.
—Press Release
