The global construction industry is expected to grow 5.2% in 2021 alone, a trend that is likely to sustain in the years to come. If you’re in the construction business, you undoubtedly want to take advantage of this spike in business. The right team of construction employees can ensure your success.
Attracting and retaining top talent in the construction field isn’t always easy. This guide explains how it’s done.
Key points:
- The construction industry is growing. Construction leaders who want to take advantage of this trend need top teams to support their needs.
- Taking an employee-first approach by offering benefits, signing bonuses, and growth opportunities is essential.
- Building a positive brand reputation and becoming a company that people want to work for will help maintain talent.
5 Tips for Attracting and Retaining the Best Construction Employees
Finding great construction employees won’t happen overnight. You have to put in the effort to make it happen. Here’s what you can do as a manager to attract and keep top talent in the construction field.
1. Offer Benefits and Signing Bonuses
Let’s start with the most obvious fact: If you want the best, you have to pay well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average construction laborer or helper earns about $17.83 per hour or $37,080 annually. Aim to pay above this market average.
Signing bonuses are another way to grab top talent off the market quickly. Further, consider what benefits you are willing to offer your workers. A comprehensive benefits package including perks like medical and dental can often foster loyalty among workers.
2. Provide Possibilities for Growth
Construction is a tough job. Many workers would prefer to later transition to a less strenuous role. Unfortunately, growth opportunities in the field are traditionally limited. Commit to offering workers more diversity in career paths, and you’ll stand out from the crowd as an employer.
Inform new and existing employees about advancement opportunities and provide in-house training to support personal development. This shows that you value the people who work for you, which is essential in attracting and retaining great construction employees.
3. Build a Reputable Brand that People Want to Work For
If you play your cards right, you will have the best construction employees knocking on your door. The key to making this happen is building a successful brand. Working on notable projects, sharing your portfolio, and emphasizing your success stories are useful steps.
You also want to make sure your brand is visible. A beautifully designed website showcasing projects and highlighting employee benefits is a good start. You can also invest in pay-per-click advertising to raise visibility among potential construction employees and clients alike.
4. Highlight Your Safety Culture
Construction is an inherently risky business. Every year, workers are hurt due to diverse causes, from falls to chemical accidents, machinery malfunctions, and more. Show you care about your construction workers by highlighting your commitment to safety culture.
If you include information for potential employees on your website, define your approach to safety. Provide new workers with safety guidelines and hold regular safety training sessions to keep everyone informed. This will enhance your reputation as an excellent employer to work for.
Ensure you are meeting standards for construction safety and highlight any certifications you have publicly. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, offers construction industry safety trainer certifications. If you have an OSHA trainer on-site, say so.
5. Keep Existing Employees Engaged
If workers aren’t engaged, they are more likely to seek opportunities elsewhere. If you have a high turnover rate—meaning you have people constantly leaving and need to recruit new ones—you probably have an employee engagement issue.
Keep employees engaged through regular perks and benefits programs, from training for career advancement to holiday bonuses. Keeping existing employees happy means they will tell others in their field how great you are to work for, ultimately cutting your recruiting burden.
The Final Word on Finding and Keeping Top Construction Talent
If you’re looking to attract and retain top talent in the construction field, you’ll have to put in some effort. However, it will be well worth it once you’ve got a successful team of eager, skilled, and engaged professionals to support your growing construction business.
