For some time, there has been a shortage of people who want jobs in construction. Over the past year or so it has become even worse, as the interest in having remodeling projects done grows.
Why the shortage exists is being written about. One thoughtful example quotes an National Association of Home Builders survey last November of 2,001 young adults between 18 and 25 years old that found, of the nearly three-quarters who already have picked a future career, just 3% named construction. And when the NAHB asked the 26% of youths who were undecided whether they’d consider construction, 63% gave those prospects a score of just 1 or 2 on a 5-point scale. And of the group that said there was little to no chance they’d choose construction, 43% said they wouldn’t consider construction no matter how much they were paid.
Frankly, I think our society has an arrogant attitude about the value of working with your hands to earn a living. Going to college has been positioned as the only meaningful option for everybody. Consequently, vocational tech high schools are fewer and fewer. At the same time, not everyone is a fit for college.
Besides complaining, what can you do about the shortage of workers?
Hire for Attitude and Aptitude
The only way to learn something is to do it. This is true for any profession.
I think those of us in the remodeling industry expect to have an ample source of people who have great attitude, incredible aptitude, and considerable expertise, which only comes with experience. Hire for attitude and aptitude. Then teach the right folks the skills they need.
That will take too long? How long does college take? How long did it take you to learn?
I started in construction working summers when I was 15. For the first summer, I mostly cleaned up and stacked lumber. However, I always watched the two to three other workers on the site. I wanted to learn how to do what they were doing.
One day, one of the other workers did not show up. I was asked to install a pre-hung door. No one had taught me how to do it. But I had watched it being done several times. I got it installed, more or less. It was not perfect. The company owner, who worked with the tools, showed me how to tune it up. From then on, I could install pre-hung doors.
Teach the right people how to do what you love to do.
Summer Jobs
When I work with the entire staff of a remodeling company, I start by asking people to share information about themselves with their co-workers. Two of the questions I ask are “What was your first job?” and “How old were you when you started working?”
Many people working in remodeling companies started working when they were around 14 to 16 years old. Back in the day that was not unusual. Now it is not expected of teenagers that they work during the summer.
Make your need for a laborer or a helper known throughout your community. You could change a person’s life by doing so.
Community Involvement
You want more people to be working in construction, right? Who do you talk with about this? Probably other owners of construction-related companies.
Instead, start talking to different types of people. Join community service organizations. Many of them do service projects that involve building or fixing up things. It could be Rotary or Habitat for Humanity or Rebuilding Together.
By getting involved, you will meet people who either work in the crafts or want to, or know somebody who would like to.
Schools
Do you bemoan the lack of vocational tech education opportunities in your community? Then do something about it.
Get involved in your community’s schools. Talk with administrators, educators, and school board members. Have your talking points in order. Focus on the how the community will benefit if there is a track, besides college, for those who like to work with their hands.
By doing this, you will likely have those looking for jobs be referred to you by the people you were meeting with.
State and Federal Legislators
The truth is there is a huge pool of people in this country who are interested in working with their hands. Immigrants can and want to get the job done. Many of them have the skills remodeling companies need their workers to have.
Interact with your representatives in the federal government and your state government about this issue. Regular communication is best. When a bill is up for a vote that will make it easier for immigrants to become legal residents of the U.S,. make your voice known.
Be Active, Be Persistent and Be Patient
There are no quick fixes to the shortage of craft workers. All of what I am suggesting takes effort, in small amounts, invested over time, on a regular basis.
You already have a lot to do? The work that I am suggesting is some of the great work you will get to do in your life.
Why do I think that? Everything that is being suggested can make a big difference in the lives of folks you might never meet. Think about our country becoming one where a person can work with their hands, earn a good living and be respected.
If you all work together to make that happen, there will eventually be many people looking to work in remodeling. If you don’t, nothing will change.