You would think that record unemployment would correct our industry's labor shortage.
Unfortunately finding qualified labor is still a huge issue.
Contractors report that they can attract applicants. Some show up and even start work. But then it's a revolving door when they find less strenuous work.
What do the experts recommend?
1) Have a dedicated resource focused on recruiting and training - Either establish an in-house position for finding, hiring and training new employees or enlist the support of a HR staffing service. Avoid burdening your crew leaders with the double whammy of tight project schedules AND a new crop of rookies to train on the job.
2) Raise your prices on project work - When there's plenty of demand for your services, like there is now, you should adjust your prices. (By the way, raw material costs on PVC resin and copper are starting to climb, so many system components will soon be rising in price too.)
3) Stop looking for perfect candidates - All of the good service technicians and landscape experts are already employed. They're well paid and not interested in changing jobs. Look for candidates from similar industries that have experienced layoffs (commercial contracting, building maintenance, auto repair) and be prepared to retrain these workers.
In the future, the best companies will excel in training newcomers, quickly growing them into productive team members. Start developing your training plan for both rookies and crew leaders. Ask us for ideas and resources.
The Team at Aqua-Flo Supply