By Anthony Delionado, Account Manager CT/NY
They are here! Millennials are the new construction workforce that slowly and steadily replaces the retiring generation of Baby Boomers. They are the ones to help address the great need of construction skills in an industry that suffers from a major labor shortage. With that being said, doing your best to attract Millennials in construction is an important factor in staying ahead of competition and laying the foundation for a strong and successful company future. Recognizing that this is not an easy challenge, we provide some advice on the steps you need to take when working with Generation Y.
Show Opportunity
No opportunity for career advancement? No way they are going to stick around! Keep this in mind when you try to attract Millennials in construction. Research shows that when asked, Millennials rank opportunity for professional growth high on their list. For example, it is not simply about getting an electrician job or a carpentry job; it is about how this job and every job for that matter, is going to help them improve their construction skills and get to the next level in their career. To increase the chances of Millennials staying with your organization, you need to address their expectations and show them the potential they have when they choose to work with you. The more value they see, the longer they will stay.
Intrigue Them
A common characteristic of Millennials is that they are a generation that enjoys learning new things and they like to be challenged with new tasks. The construction industry is a great space to fulfill these expectations because no project is the same like the one before it. By pointing this out you get the attention of Millennials and you give them a sense of purpose that challenges their construction skills and urges them to become better. For instance, sit down with your Millennials and talk to them about the challenges of the next electrician job before sending them on the jobsite.
Bring in the Veterans
Building a reputation of a company that cares about the progress of its tradespeople is a great way to attract Millennials in construction. This is where your veteran workers, the Baby Boomers, can really help. Establish apprenticeships and programs that transfer new knowledge and help your Millennials focus on becoming better. If for example, you have a Millennial working on an electrician job and you want to make sure that they improve their skillset, have them work side by side with a veteran electrician. This will help them engage and learn from the experts thus adding value to their qualifications.
Help Them Help You
Another way to attract Millennials in construction is by creating a company culture that communicates a clear vision. When your tradespeople understand your company goals and aspirations, they are more likely to embrace them. They realize that they are part of the big picture and their success is linked to the company’s success. With that being said, make it a priority to regularly update your employees on your organization’s vision and ensure that they are on the same page with you. Remember that Millennials are more likely to stay with a company that inspires them and appreciates their contribution.
Be Adaptive
As you try to find ways to attract Millennials in construction, you need to remember that you are going to work with a generation that is restless and always entertain new ideas of addressing problems and finding solutions. This means that you need to be adaptive and provide them with the necessary flexibility. Give them the ability, to the extent that you can and within your company standards, to get the job done even if that means refraining from the traditional methods of doing work. The goal is to give them the flexibility to capitalize on their construction skills so avoid limiting their productivity.
Key Takeaways to Millennials: The New Construction Workforce:
- Talk to the opportunities that Millennials have for career advancement
- Highlight the challenges of every project to grab their attention
- Have your Millennials work with you veteran tradespeople
- Communicate your company’s vision to win their support
- Give them the flexibility to reach their maximum potential
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
