Construction Chat is a weekly chat on Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. If you’re free, we’d love you to join us.
This week’s chat topic was chosen by guest host is @HilineBuilders — future of tradesmen.
He says: “I’m curious to know who’s feeling it the most right now. We on the west are seeing a sharp increase in the work flow. And I think we’re just now dealing with the challenge of accommodating our labor needs.”
Thanks Bridget for letting me be a part of it. And Thank You All for joining in #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
Read: Three Ways Builders can Attract Millennials
“‘Often, a worker’s fate would depend on whether he was skilled or unskilled,’ said Cindy Creighton, the executive director of the Nevada Subcontractors Association. ‘Many unskilled workers would refer family members or roommates to jobs, and then they all would be dramatically affected during job cutbacks,’ Creighton said. There is a certain irony, though, that so many people had to leave construction, though, since the industry is now so short-handed. ‘Everybody’s just screaming for labor—you can literally go door-to-door, fill out your application, do your e-Verify, and go to work,’ she said.” ~ Alana Semuels “Where Have All The Construction Workers Gone?” The Atlantic 2/13/15
Q1: What region are you from and what’s your work flow like?
@RigginsConst On the west coast and work flow is constantly changing, increasing, and motivating. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) February 19, 2015
A1: In the Southeast. Work flow slowly picking overall but soaring in South Florida #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) February 19, 2015
Q1 I'm in Sacramento Ca and things are really picking up. #ConstChat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
a1: just talked to a mid-west client and winter is the slowest season, definitely. They burned through backlog #ConstChat
— Tess Wittler (@TessWittler) February 19, 2015
A1: There seems to be a steady rise in almost all regions just some hotter than others #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) February 19, 2015
A1. The San Francisco Bay Area and summer and hotter months are busiest for us. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
A1. Up in all categories throughout US. UK. Ireland…that's what my peeps say. #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A1: not hotter here..actually freezing..but Jersey is picking up and going strong! #ConstChat
— Coleen Dolan (@CertifiedLeads) February 19, 2015
A1. Years of pent up demand coming home to roost in major remodeling sector. #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
@RigginsConst A1: In FL now, originally Czech Republic. Work flow is GREAT here! #constchat
— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) February 19, 2015
Some areas were hard hit, remodeling, new homes, def not commercial #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
A1a. We've had a super mild winter so I think it has improved business this year. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) February 19, 2015
A1 Dallas Fort-Worth, been going strong for a while here #ConstChat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
A1a. Here in the Bay Area, there's a need for more construction. The area is booming. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
Q2: How can we meet the challenge of labor shortage?
A2: We have to make #construction more attractive to the upcoming workforce #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) February 19, 2015
A2. Extend the proposed tuition-reimbursement for community colleges to include trade schools like http://t.co/Dspvk7iTp1 #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A2. Train those who are willing to work. #constchat
— rubyrusine (@SocialSMktg) February 19, 2015
A2. We may need to do more on-the-job training as an industry. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
A2a. We're always recruiting on Twitter, asking for resumes. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
A2. Improve training at VoTech levels too. #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A2 Jobs need to be marketed differently. Kids need to see they are as valuable as college or more so #ConstChat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
A2. Get better at TEACHING math! #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A2 really tough. everyone's drifted away. New millennials want nothing to do with labor. need to create appeal to the yngr gens. #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
@DarrenSlaughtr Scholarships for STEM students, so they see construction as a career path. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) February 19, 2015
A2 heard of some folks doing talks at local high schools to generate interest #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
@RigginsConst A2: YES! I think trade education is so very important, would love to see more. #constchat
— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) February 19, 2015
A2. Allow full tuition reimbursement expense write-offs for companies offering plans. #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A2 We need to improve the work sites and conditions along with wages if we expect people to want to learn a trade #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) February 19, 2015
@RigginsConst as a nation we have changed how we value "blue collar work" a series of generations has done this #ConstChat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
A2. Bring back career days! #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A2: As business owners we need to put more value on the labor and recognize their contribution. We can't build it w/o them #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) February 19, 2015
Q3: How do you propose to increase worker retention?
A3: That's easy – care for your employees and realize they choose to give their time to you #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) February 19, 2015
A3. Recognition, continued training, promotion/benefits, team work. #constchat
— Zircon Corporation (@ZirconTools) February 19, 2015
A3. re prioritize, consolidate, might have to increase prices a bit #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
@RigginsConst A3: If possible, more incentives to stay with company & more room for growth. #constchat
— Milan Jara (@Milan_Jara) February 19, 2015
A3. Pay them well. Make them feel valued. Give them incentives for years of service and working safely. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) February 19, 2015
A3 Invest in employees, use your actions to show workers that you value them #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
A3. Create a career path in the trades. Better still, multiple career paths and free career counseling. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
A3. Performance-based overpaying seems to keep people in place. #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A3. I've heard successful contractors say they value desire to learn over new things over anything else. #constchat
— TecHome Casey (@TecHomeCasey) February 19, 2015
A3. Companies like plumbing supplier Hajoca pays tens of thousands over market to keep good talent. #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A3 reverse engineering- how can we make our employees glad to be here, have pride in their work. feel like a part of the company #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
A3a. It's not just about the money. Appreciation goes a long way towards retention. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
Paying for continuing education #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
As Owners we need to have a plan for our employees..within our company.RT @RigginsConst: @CertifiedLeads A plan? #constchat
— Coleen Dolan (@CertifiedLeads) February 19, 2015
A3. Show them respect. Treat them well. #constchat
— rubyrusine (@SocialSMktg) February 19, 2015
Give them viable options for advancement within the company #ConstChat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
@WoodworksCa I think a stake in the company is huge. That's how all the hi tech co's prevail. Make them feel like they count. #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
.@RigginsConst if more people looked at the cost of replacement they would pay more #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) February 19, 2015
A3. Bonuses are appreciated, too, even if it's not a lot of money. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
Q4: How can we encourage young people to pursue the trades?
A3: Show them how fun / rewarding it is to be a part of building something amazing!!! #constchat
— Tess Wittler (@TessWittler) February 19, 2015
A4. Start REALLY young. Start from home. #constchat
— rubyrusine (@SocialSMktg) February 19, 2015
A4. Take your ______ to work days / Co-Op / Internships #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
Very important- Give your employees opportunities to advance. Nothing says "bummer job" like keeping your thumb on advancement. #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
A4. I think it all starts with educating them about the job. Let them know about perks/benefits. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) February 19, 2015
Used to say "Not a day goes by where I don't turn around and look at what I created at the end of the day and feel proud." #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
A4. Has to start at home. Value what they do as just as important as other jobs. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
A4B. Take them to workshops. @homedepot has something like that on weekends I think. #constchat
— rubyrusine (@SocialSMktg) February 19, 2015
A4 how many jobs can you step back from and say "I built that"? Show them the beauty of that. #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
A4a. It also helps to hear from people who are actually DOING the job…makes it more "real." Maybe allow for job-shadowing. #ConstChat
— JorgMaterialHandling (@MaterialHndling) February 19, 2015
A4: As builders we should make more of an effort to go to schools an promote – look at firemen – backhoes are exciting too #constchat
— Tony Booth (@anthonybooth) February 19, 2015
A4. I look at a hundred construction-based websites a week…almost NONE have job opportunities listed. #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A4 Going to be real hard to dispell the new mentality that Blue Collar is for losers. #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
A4 Show them how much a college education really costs. Show them how much they can save/make in the long run. #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
A4a. The people who think Blue Collar is for losers are going to lose. 😀 #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
A4Need influential people to talk at schools, job fairs. Need the media to show the upsides, show success stories. #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
A4a. Also insurance needs to be kept affordable for small construction companies, in particular. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
Q5: Have you contacted local Vet Affairs Office to hire vets?
A5: Home Builders Institute (HBI) is working directly with vets to help them get the skills they need for construction. #constchat
— Tess Wittler (@TessWittler) February 19, 2015
A5 I Heart Radio is doing a Hire A Vet campaign here. Lot's of vets coming back now looking for work, facing stigma #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
Have a client in Fayetteville. Former Ranger. Lines them up as they come off active duty at Bragg. Awesome program! #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
A5: HBI did a presentation at #IBS2015 and it was inspiring! They pay for cont. ed. and match with employers. #constchat
— Tess Wittler (@TessWittler) February 19, 2015
I did quite awhile back and I'm sure I will resort to that again. What better way to give back? #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
A5 Many vets already have the skills from their work overseas #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
A5a. Vets have the will and the structure already built in. Would be great for construction. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
A5. I would support vets for sure. Trained well. #constchat
— rubyrusine (@SocialSMktg) February 19, 2015
Vets have good work ethic #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
A5 Many vets are ready to go and already understand the business from their time in military. They often don't need new training #constchat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
You need training baked in though. That has to be part of it. Skills coming on should be part of re-entry into civi life #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
Bonus Tweets:
FYI: Home-improvement spending grown from $281 billion in 2011 to $315 billion last year, says Joint Center for Housing Studies #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
Construction needs to be seen as skilled labor. As long as it is viewed as unskilled, people will be uninterested #ConstChat
— BlueSteele Solutions (@BlueSteeleTX) February 19, 2015
When I started in the trades there was $$ to be made. Wages haven't changed relatively spkg. That hurts. #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
Wow. Getting so many good ideas here today. Really amazing. #ConstChat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) February 19, 2015
Read a great article yesterday about how our society pushes college ed. College is not for everyone #constchat
— Phil Vanderloo (@hilinebuilders) February 19, 2015
a full 80% of kids going to college don't get a job in their major. #constchat
— Darren Slaughter (@DarrenSlaughtr) February 19, 2015
What’s your two cents?
Do you have an answer you want to contribute? Feel free to add it in the comments.