By Brian Flynn, New England Regional Manager

Is your construction company ready for Millennials? With the labor shortage slamming the construction industry, there is no room for firms to miss out on talent. The generation of Millennials, or Generation Y, is the best source to turn to in order to obtain the construction skills for your needs; however, you have to keep in mind that this category of employees requires a different approach when managed. The reason is that they have different motivations and aspirations when it comes to their construction career than previous generations. Below we look into some of the factors you need to take into account when you manage Millennials in construction.

Help Them Learn
There is too much speculation out there about Millennials being the generation that knows everything and doesn’t like to be told what to do. This is simply unreal, at least when it comes to the majority of them. Generation Y likes to learn new things that grow their construction skills and help them to boost their construction career. That being said, you need to ensure that your company puts in place apprenticeships and programs that transfer new knowledge to your newcomers. This is where your seasoned workers are going to play a key role by actively engaging with your Millennials in them and sharing their expertise.

Offer Them Career Growth
When you manage Millennials in construction you need to remember that you deal with individuals who are not known to be very patient. Rather, they are perceived as looking for quick results. This is also true about their construction career expectations. If they don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel then they will simply get off the train. In order to keep them with your company for the long haul, you have to show them the potential for advancement within your firm. How fast can they climb the hierarchy ladder in your company? Is their hard work and construction skills going to be recognized, offering them more room for growth? Make them aware of the potential they have within your firm.

Give Them Flexibility
Generation Y positively views positions and career opportunities that offer them flexible work options. From working remotely, to BYOD practices, to flexible work hours, provide as much flexibility as you can to better manage Millennials in construction. For them, when an employer allows them to maintain a steady balance between their work and personal life, the chances of them sticking around for the long run increase dramatically. Don’t make the mistake of only focusing on getting the right construction skills for your needs. Be sure to bring in more flexibility to keep talent with you.

Embrace Technology
You are reaching out to the generation that is more familiar with technology than any other before it. This is a characteristic that they want to bring along with them when they join a firm. If they come across a company that is not up-to-date with innovation and technology trends, they are turned off and they start looking for the next adventure. New equipment and tools, cutting-edge building materials, pioneering construction methods and sustainable development are just a few of the areas that Millennials want to lay their hands on in order to advance their construction career. So, how fast is your company adopting to change and innovation? Don’t waste more time.

Use Their Skills
Most likely you have heard of the rumor that states that Millennials are lazy. The truth is that Generation Y wants to have their construction skills used to the maximum. In order to successfully manage Millennials in construction, you need to know their strengths and weaknesses and allow them to bring their value to the table. If they feel like their capabilities are not utilized and there are no new challenges to deal with, you will simply watch them walking out the door. Hold regular reviews to make sure that your Millennials are performing at their best and that they don’t feel underestimated.

Key Takeaways to Is Your Construction Company Ready for Millennials?:
1. Put in place programs and apprentices that transfer knowledge
2. Show the career advancement opportunities within your company
3. Do your best to provide flexible work options
4. Make sure your company keeps up with innovation and technology
5. Know your Millennials’ skills and help them bring them to the table

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