How Can Construction Business Owners Combat the Labor Shortage?

We asked you what construction business owners can do to combat the labor shortage, and you answered! Here are some of your top comments from the Construction Business Owner LinkedIn group.

Allow input from the lower level players in your company as it relates to growth strategies. Many business owners have the mindset that once they have made it big, they know it all and can’t be beat. However, they forget what it took to get them where they are. It’s the lower-level workforce who make you and your company a success. Too often, you forget how you got to the top and no one can tell you how to stay at the top. Growth starts with your foundation. Remember to check in on your foundation regularly. Carmesha Holmes Owner/Designer/Sustainability Manager Interiors by Carmesha

The trades should be introduced earlier and to more students. You don’t see many high school shop classes anymore. The perception, to some extent, has been the trades are for those who don’t go to college or opt to enter the military. A trade can be a creative outlet or an opportunity to be a future business owner/entrepreneur. Students need to be aware of all the great possibilities skilled labor can provide them.  Eric Eiler  President Eiler Design & Construction

Some states have reimbursement wage programs that help with the cost of “on the job” training. Taking advantage of such a program pays off twofold. You end up with a skilled worker, and the state doesn’t have the burden of paying public assistance programs! Everyone has to start somewhere. We were not born skilled. Shari Lupardus CHST Field Safety Manager Kanawha Stone Company

Along with introducing the construction trades to students, there also needs to be an effort towards reinvigorating the industry image. If we want to encourage young people to go into this career, they need to see that it is worthwhile, satisfying and rewarding. For too long, I’ve noticed a kind of upturned nose towards those in the construction industry. If that image continues, then the industry will continue to struggle to bring in and retain talented individuals. Timothy Hoke Design Professional Gould Design Inc

The industry needs to give back at the grassroots level. We need to employ apprentices in all areas of construction and train the future generation. They are to be mentored by the best, to ensure that adequate knowledge is passed down. This is not a quick-fix solution. Getting back to basics is the key for our industry and for most industries. Look at any elite sporting club. They succeed when they have a stellar grassroots program for the young talent. If we don’t start now, the industry will be having this same discussion every year. Lucas De Matteis Construction Director & Founder Lucas Emilio De Mattias P/L

As contractors, we need to be a bigger part of the process by devoting our time to training and retaining skilled laborers. We have sat back and expected someone else to do the work. Who can tell our story better than us, though? It needs to start in the school systems and employment work source boards. Joe Park Owner Joe Park Construction

With all of the advancements in materials and processes, even the most experienced skilled laborers are learning new talents. That being said, investing in your team, from the laborer to the project manager, is crucial. It is equally important to teach skills and teamwork. As demand grows, we continue to mentor our existing team members, helping them grow individually. As we grow our team from within, this creates the need for new entry-level positions. When the entire team works with one vision, overcoming shortfalls in manpower is easily manageable. Robert Hibbs Trades Estimator Rockford Construction

A Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) can be a great way to receive tax benefits while offering valuable employment opportunities to target groups in the community. This includes vocational rehabilitation referred individuals, ex-felons, supplemental security income recipients and summer youth employees (living in Empowerment Zones). Bruce Jooste Senior Tax Analyst Tax Law Associates LLC

What do you think? Join the discussion here.

Next: See what 3 answers were chosen for our March issue!