NOW HIRING Embracing new technology and implementing software and other digital tools into daily workflows is the first step a construction firm can take to acquire and retain talent. If you want to find the best possible talent for your firm, you need to advertise that you are tech-savvy and open to new innovations. And you need to make sure you are selecting tech tools that were built for the end user. If it is a field app, it needs to be designed as a mobile-first, field-first solution. Whether you are listing jobs online, or recruiting from colleges/trade schools, showing off your tech tools can help bring in the sharpest, most ambitious young professionals.
More than just technology
In addition to simply implementing new technology, construction companies can take a page out of the tech industry’s book, and start embracing modern methods of attracting and retaining talent, such as strengthening company culture. Over the last decade or so, great company culture has become one of the most important perks people look for in a job, and for good reason: Companies that treat their employees well are more successful and have less turnover. Millennials are often partial to choosing jobs outside of the construction industry simply because other fields have started prioritizing company culture and employee happiness. Although fun perks are always a great way to keep your staff happy, company culture means more than just hosting happy hours or offering flexible PTO. By promoting a healthy culture, you improve morale and help employees feel a sense of belonging at your firm. In this day and age, culture is just as crucial for worker retention as adopting new tech or offering high salaries.
Over the last decade or so, great company culture has become one of the most important perks people look for in a job. In terms of attracting and retaining young talent, technologically advanced construction firms will have a leg-up, by providing millennial-aged employees the tools they not only want, but expect to see at work.
Breaking down assumptions
While the construction industry has slowly evolved to adopt new technology over the last decade or so, many young people still view the field as an “older” workforce. With little-to-no buzz around technology in construction, millennials see old-school workflows as inefficient uses of time. Even though high-tech processes have made their way into construction, most people outside of the industry are unaware. As we all know, millennials love their technology. But why wouldn’t not they? Tech has helped make their lives easier in every way, and they want their jobs to follow suit. In the eyes of older generations, this seems like a dependency, or even an entitlement, but the reality is, millennials see the innovative potential that technology brings to any workforce.
Times are changing
At this point, adopting new technology is almost a mandatory factor to keeping a construction firm in business. Not only can tech improve project efficiency and quality of results, but by showing that your company is tech-savvy and open to modern organizational practices, you can attract the brightest young talent in the construction industry. Making sure employees are given the digital tools they need to excel is the most important step in improving the state of the construction industry and ending the labor shortage. CCR
Kyle Slager is CEO and founder of Raken.
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COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — JANUARY : FEBRUARY 2020
