You Can’t Do It Alone: Partner

If you own a construction company, and you have all the work–and all the workers–you need, you are among a lucky few in the industry. Most of us are finding we can’t fill the pipelines on our own, making it necessary to invest time and effort in collaborations with high schools, vocational schools, community colleges, unions, trade associations, and more. The key to successfully partnering is putting effort into carving out shared goals and practical steps. Read on for insights about doing what’s yours to do on the construction career pipeline.  

Workforce Development

At Construction Business Owner, Sara Vincent points out that the need to attract and retain workers is so great that industrywide collaboration is not just nice, it’s necessary: “Partnerships are effective because they combine shared goals with practical resources. They provide access to equipment, experienced instructors and local or regional training opportunities that reflect the needs of specific trades and communities. For contractors, engaging a partner can help expand training capacity and strengthen workforce development efforts.” 

If you are not already doing so, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for what organizations like Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI), Mason Contractors Association of America (MCAA) and Steel Erectors Association of America (SEAA), as well as local groups, trade unions and other potential partners are up to in your region. Though this type of research and networking takes time and effort, doing so is an important way to stay up to speed on emerging workforce practices, which can ultimately benefit your business. Andy Tacelosky, chief operating officer at JLG puts the imperative of working across the industry this way: 

• We can’t solve the skilled labor shortage on our own. That’s why it’s important to partner with trade associations, unions, technical schools and industry groups to help upskill professionals and bring real-world equipment, certified training and industry standards directly to the people who need it most….

• Working alongside these organizations, it’s not just about training people; it’s helping them build lasting careers … .In America today, there are more students who want hands-on technical education than there are classroom seats available … .We see an opportunity not only to hire talent but to help create it, one student, one trainee and one craft professional at a time.”

Best practices for reaching out to bring next gen workers into construction involve partnerships with high schools and technical colleges. Taking the time to collaborate and explore how your business can be part of the solution in your region is likely to be rewarding over the long run, both to your bottom line, and to you:  

• Engaging with students at the high school and technical college level helps introduce the trades as a viable and rewarding career path while creating early opportunities for hands-on experience.

• Programs that combine classroom learning with real-world work exposure give students a clearer understanding of the skills required in the field. Paid work experiences, mentorship and defined pathways into full-time roles help bridge the gap between education and employment.

Continuous Skill Building

As desperate as we may sometimes become for that “one great hire,” it’s essential to remember that we won’t actually solve the workforce challenges in construction without a commitment to developing each employee we take on. Indeed, “Contractors who invest in continuous skill development are better positioned to support safer jobsites, maintain productivity and create opportunities for long-term employee growth.” Keep in mind that all the “training” does not have to be generated by you. Here too, partnerships can be game changing. Consider, for example, the value of equipment specific training that you may be able to collaborate with manufacturers, rental partners, trade associations or other organizations on: 

• Equipment training plays a central role in reducing jobsite risk and supporting consistent operations. When tradespeople understand proper operating procedures, they are better prepared to perform their work safely and respond effectively to unexpected situations. Training reinforces not only day-to-day tasks, but also the awareness and decision-making needed when conditions change.

• Beyond safety and compliance, equipment training contributes directly to how efficiently work is completed. Operators who are trained on the equipment they use every day can work with greater precision and confidence, helping keep projects moving and reducing interruptions caused by improper use or avoidable errors.

Good To Consider: Changing Lives?

Yes! You may  think you are  “just” running your construction business and looking for your next hire, but remember, you are quite possibly making a much bigger difference for individuals and communities than you realize.  As Anirban Basu, chief economist for ABC has said, training an emerging workforce is ultimately “how we create a larger middle class….” 

Let’s Partner!

Construction business owners have lots of big stuff to do—and that’s why they leave the bonding to us at Colonial Surety Company—and you can too. 

Put your business on a growth path starting today, with Colonial Surety Company on your side. In business since 1930, we have surety bond programs for construction companies of every size. 

For Bonds up to $500K: Use our Hometown Bond Program. It is credit-based, with no financial statements required. 

For Larger Bonds: Get armed with single and aggregate bonding limits, in writing, and even issue your own instant Bid Bonds, via The Partnership Account® for Contractors. Once qualified, get a surety bond line of credit for up to 20 million single, and 40 million aggregate. Receive free financial scores just for completing our easy pre-qual.

Surety Bond programs for construction businesses of every size are right here: Bonding Programs at Colonial Surety Company

In business since 1930, Colonial Surety Company is a leading direct seller and writer of surety bonds and insurance products across the USA. Colonial is rated “A Excellent” by A.M. Best Company and U.S. Treasury listed. Let’s connect today: Colonial Surety Company.