By Darin Cox, Southeast Regional Manager   

Congrats! You successfully made it through the recessionary years. If you think that the challenges for your construction company are over though, keep reading. There are more challenges that you need to deal with on a daily basis. Do you keep up with change and current construction trends? Are you using the best practices on the jobsite that create the right culture for your workers? Do you stay focused on construction safety? What is your plan to deal with the skilled labor shortage in construction? Have you joined forces with those who know what it takes to be successful? Below we offer some advice to help you address the construction industry challenges.

Follow Construction Industry Trends
The construction industry is changing like never before. New technologies, new methodologies, new tools and equipment are being introduced that are hard to catch up with. If you want your company to be successful and ready to address the construction industry challenges, you must make sure that you stay on top of change. You need to know which direction your construction company needs to go in and where there is space for growth. Keeping an eye on the industry’s trends allows you to better position your organization against competition and be prepared for what the future brings.

Plan Thoroughly
How efficient is your workforce on the jobsite? Do you have in place the right processes that help you finish projects on time and with great quality? Studies show that when construction teams work in a collaborative way and there is sufficient communication between management and onsite workers, projects go as planned. The key to having great results lies in thoroughly planning your actions. Not every project is the same. Have regular meetings at the beginning, middle and final parts of each project to make sure that everyone on the team is on the same page. Plan your success.

Pledge Allegiance to Safety
A constant and pressuring challenge for the industry is construction safety. There are many examples of companies that fail to identify safety hazards and risks for their workforce with disastrous results. Do not be one of those companies. Do not turn a blind eye to safety guidelines and regulations. Construction safety must become part of your company culture and you need to hold everyone accountable towards that goal. Remember that compromising the security of your team not only puts your people at risk, but it also creates a negative profile of your organization in the industry.

Build Your Workforce
As we talk about ways to address construction industry challenges, we can’t ignore what might be the biggest issue that the industry is currently facing; the skilled construction labor shortage and its consequences for construction companies. Finding new workers is becoming a real headache because the number of people exiting the industry is larger than the number of professionals joining. With that said, you need to come up with ways that ensure you do not lose your current workers while also making sure that your new workers stay with you for the long haul. From career initiatives, to retention programs, to training, lay the foundation to keep experienced workers and help newcomers remain with your company.

Work with the Challengers
Addressing the challenges of the construction industry has put a lot on your plate. From following construction industry trends, to creating a collaborative culture, to embracing construction safety, to setting the foundation for a lasting and permanent workforce, your company needs to take all of the necessary steps to succeed and thrive. The more experienced hands you have working on these projects, the faster and more concrete results you will receive. Reach out to a construction staffing firm and let them help you overcome the challenges of the construction industry. They have the knowledge, expertise and proficiency to keep you on the path of success.

Key Takeaways to How Can Your Company Address Construction Industry Challenges:
1.  Follow and stay current with construction industry trends
2.  Create a culture of collaboration and communication across your company
3.  Ensure your organization is complying with safety guidelines and regulation
4.  Develop a plan to build a permanent workforce for your organization
5.  Work with a construction staffing firm to address the construction industry challenges

About TradeSource
Founded in 1993, TradeSource is a construction labor solutions firm focused on delivering labor solutions to contractors throughout the United States. By supplying skilled tradespeople – where and when they’re needed – we help contractors grow their companies, without the associated costs and hassles of full-time hires. Likewise, we match qualified employees with rewarding and well-paying job opportunities in the construction industry. www.tradesource.com