By David Lohman, Account Representative
You finally realized that the safest and most reliable way to find the construction skills you need is by working with a construction recruiter. Working with the right partner, however, is not an easy task. In order to see your projects progressing with no hiccups and always stay on schedule and meet deadlines, you have to join forces with a vendor who lives up to your expectations. Many staffing firms pledge that they are the ones that your company should be doing business with, but only a few mean what they say. Below, we talk about some of the factors you need to look for when you work with a construction staffing firm.
Screening
Do you have the time to double check the construction skills of the tradespeople who are submitted for your open positions? Are you receiving qualified tradesmen from your construction recruiter or do you have to do their job and check up their qualifications – again? After all, isn’t this what you wanted to avoid when you decided to work with a construction staffing firm? Calling on references, talking to previous employers and using a rigid screening process that includes E-Verify are some of the necessary steps your partner has to perform when they send you construction talent. If this is not the case, then it is time to re-evaluate your choice.
Safety
Accidents on the construction jobsite are an everyday threat that your construction company needs to eliminate. Delivering the right construction skills is only part of what your construction recruiter is entitled to do. When you work with a construction staffing firm, you must ensure that construction safety is a core value of the way they do business and a work standard of the contractors they partner with. Regular site safety evaluations, frequent toolbox talks and a safety program are solid signs of focus on construction safety of your construction staffing partner. Don’t settle for less.
Communication
Before, during and after a placement, your construction recruiter needs to be there at all times. They should not be waiting for you to reach out to them when you are in need of construction skills or when the hiring process is not going according to plan or when you want to follow up on the latest placement. A very important factor to keep in mind when you work with a construction staffing firm is that they must keep open channels of communication with you. For every new hire, they should perform a walk-on and they need to be proactive by asking both the candidate and you for feedback throughout the hiring and onboarding process.
Trust
When you decide to work with a construction staffing firm you want to partner with people you can trust. Trust relationships are based on openness and sincerity between the parties involved. With that being said, your construction recruiter needs to be honest with you when it comes to your expectations. For example, if you are asking for tradespeople with construction skills that are hard to locate, they need to let you know of the time that is required to find them or they should advise you appropriately on how to adjust your search criteria. Remember that you want a partner who is clear and transparent with you.
Reputation
All the elements above are great indicators of a partner who really cares about building their clients’ bottom line with a strong foundation. This enables them to establish a strong reputation in the industry. You should work with a construction staffing firm that has such esteem. During your research process, be sure to reach out to your network of contacts in order to collect information on the staffing firms that look to be a great fit to your needs and look for the characteristics discussed above. The construction industry is a space where the word of mouth is really helpful in finding great partners. Use it to your advantage.
Key Takeaways for Working with the Right Construction Partner:
- Work with a construction staffing firm that has a solid screening process
- Your construction staffing firm must have construction safety as a core value
- Your construction recruiter must keep open channels of communication at all times
- You must create a trust relationship with your construction recruiter
- Your construction staffing firm should have an established reputation in the industry
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
