Articles and Resources

In 2023, the construction labor shortage continues to present a pressing challenge. In this article, we will explore the issues affecting the job market.

Managing a warehouse today is more challenging than ever, and during the holiday season when you need to work most efficiently to deal with seasonal demand, the challenge only multiplies.

While they both only work for a set period of time and aren’t considered part of a business’s permanent staff, there are key differences between seasonal and temporary employees.

With the demand for goods and services at all-time highs, how can you fill your construction jobs? Here are six ways you can find workers in a labor shortage.

Born between 1998 and 2016, Generation Z is poised to be the next wave of workers for our talent pipelines. Here’s what you need to know (plus tips on how to recruit them).

The holidays will be here before you know it and hospitality hiring managers are gearing up to get additional staff. Here are the 3 types of hospitality staff you’ll need.

Many companies are diving into college recruitment as an answer to the skilled labor shortage. But is it for you?

  A 20-year-old worker loses her finger while cleaning a printing press. An 18 year-old dies after being entangled in a portable mortar mixer on a construction site. A 20-year old carpenter falls through a second story stairway while working for a construction company and suffers serious brain injuries. These real-life stories highlight a big concern when it comes to workplace safety – for young adult workers. These employees are getting injured at alarming rates compared to their adult counterparts. OSHA reported that in 2013, 335 young adult workers were killed; while every 9 minutes one got hurt on the job. What are some of the reasons behind this alarming trend? Lack of experience and training as well as a sense of invincibility are just a few of the reasons young adult workers are more susceptible to injury. They also make up much of the labor force employed to do some of the most dangerous day labor jobs. Young adults working on construction sites can get injured handling heavy equipment or fall victim to heat stroke. Those in the agriculture can also suffer from heat stroke along with being exposed to dangerous pesticides. They can even die from breaking up clumps of corn in silos (which can act like quicksand and suffocate someone in seconds). Young adult food service workers also report work-related injuries due to slippery floors, sharp utensils and very hot cooking equipment. Staffing agencies and their clients share responsibility to provide a safe work environment, such as keeping restaurant floors dry and clean, providing protective clothing, and making sure new young adult workers are properly trained. However, if you are a young adult worker, there are things you can do to guard yourself from common workplace hazards, such as: Be aware of your surroundings and report anything that looks even remotely hazardous. Adhere to all safety rules and procedures laid out by your employer (and avoid taking shortcuts). Not be afraid to talk to your supervisor. Ask questions to make sure you’re doing your job correctly and safely. Always wear protective gear such as gloves, goggles and dust masks Refrain from distracting activities such as texting while performing your job duties. Take care of yourself by getting enough rest and tending to personal matters before or after your shift. Know your rights. You have the right to work in a safe environment and speak up if you aren’t. At Labor Finders we take our associate’s safety on the job very seriously. Visit us to learn more and find your next job opportunity.

  Finding employees to perform skilled jobs can be challenging. While college graduates may have studied toward particular careers, turning theory into practical work skills can prove difficult. Recent graduates usually do not have the real-world experience needed to be successful in their jobs. So, how does a company find a skilled employee and fill openings? Here are some tips. 1. Partner with Schools & Community Colleges You need skilled employees. High school graduates from families that are unable to afford four-year college educations need jobs. By working with the local community to offer internships and apprenticeships in your trade, you can create the perfect skilled workers for your organization. 2. Invest in Training Training can be costly and time-consuming, but more often than not, it is very much worth the investment. If you continually put money toward a training fund, and you include that fund in your annual budget, you can produce the type of workforce that your company needs to grow and thrive. 3. Raise Base Salary Offerings The cost of living has increased. $25,000 doesn't go as far as it used to. For some people, that salary may mean that they would need to work two jobs in order to make ends meet. When a lawn care company raised salaries to $45,000 a year, they were able to fill four positions that had been open. 4. Improve Benefits Improving benefits is another good way to attract skilled workers and specialized staff. If your company can't afford fringe benefits like company cars, home allowances, and paid holidays, consider offering less costly benefits that are still attractive, such as paid time off and subsidized meals. 5. Hire Contractors Consider hiring contract workers. Contractors are flexible and can be quite skilled, with experience on a variety of jobs. In the short-term, they usually cost you less than permanent employees. Plus, you can save time and money on training. Besides, you can always make them permanent later on. 6. Provide Certification Reimbursement By offering such options, you can ensure that your employees are licensed and certified for the type of work that you need them to perform. You can tie reimbursement to length of service perhaps. Doing so helps provide students with clear career pathways and helps you fill empty positions. 7. Learn How to Talk about Transferable Skills So that new college graduate has never lifted a shovel but can figure out the exact angle that posts need to be at to create a sturdy foundation. Learn to talk in a way that unearths any unmentioned or unpromoted skills. You may be surprised at how well you can train someone with the right background. 8. Offer Internships to Students Give college students a chance to learn the skills that you need and save money. By offering paid or unpaid internships, you can help those engineering and construction majors gain practical experience in the field, giving you a larger pool of employees to select from with each graduating class. 9. Develop an Effective Screening System It's important to come up with a recruiting system that separates the wheat from the chaff. To do that, you will need to develop cost-efficient screening methods that help you determine whether someone is a good fit. Be sure that prospective employees have both the skills and values necessary for the job. 10. Work with a Recruiting Agency When you work through a recruitment agency, there's no need to run background checks, check references, or conduct preliminary interviews – it's done for you. You save time, and time is money. Recruiting agencies also have access to the best talent, including skilled workers who are employed elsewhere.   Trust Labor Finders with Your Staffing Needs Hundreds of businesses and hiring managers find that our services are unmatched in the industry. We find the skilled workers that your company needs, and we ensure that they have the proper certifications, training, and expertise. Close the skills gap by letting Labor Finders handle your staffing.