Invest in Vocational Trade Jobs

8 recruiting tips to hire for skilled trades

More than 74% of manufacturers say their main business challenge today is attracting and retaining employees.

That sentiment is echoed for other businesses across the trades. For example,

• The Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. estimates it will need to attract an estimated 546,000 additional workers on top of its normal hiring efforts in 2023 to meet demands for labor.
• The National Homebuilder’s Association’s Spring 2021 Construction Market Report found a 55% shortage of plumbers available for work.
• The American Trucking Association reports that there is a deficit of about 80,000 truck drivers across the industry.
• Rewiring America, a leading industry nonprofit, estimates that one million electricians will be needed to perform a range of electrical jobs over the next decade.

Wires crossed
85% of high school students see value in a skilled trades career, but . . .
Only 16% are very likely to consider one.
Source: Stanley Black & Decker Makers Index 2022

With few young workers joining the skilled trades, it’s crucial for employers in these industries to invest in, and develop, marketing programs that will attract new talent, while still retaining their existing workforce. By marketing careers in the skilled trades, employers can:

• Raise awareness for the benefits and opportunities that exist in their organizations
• Provide career paths for younger workers who seek hands-on learning and careers
• Attract talent to meet ongoing demands for labor and fill skills gap left by those retiring
• Help ensure the essential skills their businesses need to operate over the long term
• Create a more diverse and inclusive workforce by attracting individuals from different backgrounds and demographics

Dollars and sense

Median salaries in various trades that exceed the average annual pay of $58,563 for U.S. workers:

Aircraft Mechanics
Median Salary: $65,550

Construction & Building Inspectors
Median Salary: $61,640

Electrician
Median Salary: $60,040

Plumber, Pipefitter, Steamfitter
Median Salary: $59,900
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2021

What can employers do?

Among the ways human resource leaders can boost their marketing efforts to attract more to their fields are:

Partner with educational institutions, such as:high schools, vocational schools, community colleges, and trade-specific training organizations to offer internships, apprenticeships, and educational programs to create a pipeline of skilled workers and promote vocational trades as viable career options.

Participate in job fairs specifically targeted towards younger individuals. Create attractive and interactive booths or displays that show the range of trade jobs available, provide information about career paths, and offer opportunities for hands-on experiences.

Establish a strong online presence by leveraging your website and social media platforms (e.g., LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube.) to promote success stories, job openings, and testimonials from young workers that show the benefits and opportunities of working in a skilled trade.

Reach out to parents and career counselors who can inspire and influence career choices of younger people. Organize information sessions or workshops for parents and counselors to educate them about opportunities within vocational trades and how they can lead to financially rewarding careers.

Engage with influencers and leaders, including successful professionals, entrepreneurs, or popular social media personalities to share their experiences, promote the value of vocational trade jobs, and generate interest among younger audiences.

Target ads, particularly on social media and through online job boards. Also, tailor messaging to highlight the benefits of working in the trades, including job security, earning potential, hands-on training, and career advancement opportunities.

Foster networking and mentoring events that can connect experienced employees in your organization with younger workers and allow them to provide guidance, support, and insights into potential career paths.

Collaborate with industry leaders and associations by participating in events, conferences, and/or workshops to reach out to younger workers who may be interested in the trades.

Let’s collaborate about how to create an effective recruitment and retention strategy — and help drive more interest in the trades.