Game Changer – How Tradespeople Can Find Opportunities in a Post-COVID World

The months of the COVID pandemic may have set your career in the trade industry back due to diminishing opportunities and closures. With more discussions about reopening safely, the opportunity for tradespeople to get back in the game again is here. But, as with everything related to COVID, nothing remains the same. Here are some tips to help you find opportunities in a post-COVID world.

Remember, there are still limitations.

The reopening plans are a step forward; however, nothing is back to how it was before COVID-19. There are safety considerations to implement and risk factors to determine, such as whether specific projects are essential. Because of this, you should manage your expectations during the search process. There are opportunities, but you need to know where to look.

While industries hiring and looking to expand, not all industries have openings. Take time to research the best fields for growth and compare your skills and trade training to what is available. Apply for openings where you are qualified, even if it is an area you have not considered before.

Use your time to the fullest

Capitalize on downtime by taking every opportunity to grow in your field. Take some time to research your specific trade and learn more about innovations and happenings in the field. Practice your trade consistently and even consider online training and certifications to increase your knowledge and help you stand out when applying for new opportunities.

Make the most of your interview.

After you have found a job you are interested in and applied, you will, hopefully, schedule an interview. Interviewing from home may be a strange concept, but there are simple steps to consider in your preparation. First, make sure your setup is in a quiet, distraction-free zone. Set your device on a stable surface and practice using your prospective employer’s preferred software for the call. Test your video, audio, and angle, so you are centered on the screen and can be heard when you answer their call. The rest of the interview preparation process, including attire and research, is the same for a virtual interview as for an in-person interview.

Find the right skilled labor opportunity today!

The staffing services at Trade Management are all about connecting top electricians, carpenters, welders, painters, and more with the right opportunities. Whether the job is large or small, we believe in building relationships and developing a mutually beneficial partnership. Contact us today to begin your partnership!

Post-COVID Safety Tips for Tradesmen

Have you considered your safety procedures for getting back to work? Now that more projects are restarting, tradesmen around the country are returning to worksites. Getting back to work is great but maintaining the proper safety policies is imperative in order to keep your business running and your team healthy. Here are a few safety tips for the worksite.

Stay home if you’re sick

Not coming to work due to illness may be a foreign concept to some, but never has it been more important than now. Make sure your fellow tradesmen on the job understand that it’s not a question, but a directive, as they have has the potential to infect the whole crew. Because people may be hesitant to use their leave, remind them of policies established by the government providing time off for COVID as well as any company-specific time off policies.

Start each shift by screening temperatures.

The first thing your workers should do when arriving on-site is to have their contactless temperature recorded. Establish a maximum temperature and turn away anyone who doesn’t fall under the maximum. With temperature being such a common symptom, you can’t risk an employee bringing their germs around everyone else.

Provide hand sanitizer or handwashing stations

Depending on where you’re working, you may not have access to a full sink, but make sure there is plenty of hand sanitizer and that it is being used. Hang signs with proper procedures and reinforce the necessity to keep surfaces clean.

Decide the necessary PPE.

Your personal protective equipment (PPE) was valuable to you at work long before COVID, but now it serves a dual purpose. Make sure your team is following the physical safety guidelines for the site as well as keeping the proper masks on, especially when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Remind workers about proper respiratory practices

Every sneeze and cough aren’t indications of the virus but can be a contributing factor in spreading the virus. Make sure your team knows to cough and sneeze into their elbows instead of into their hands. While the mask creates a barrier, you don’t want the employee to somehow get germs on their hands and then spread them to surfaces used by others.

What can Trade Management do for you?

We believe in building relationships that include trust and loyalty and delivering quality personnel for today’s construction and skilled trade workforce. Get in touch today to begin building a relationship with us!

 

 

 

5 Ways the Jobsite Has Changed

In the months since the pandemic began, job sites have changed dramatically for tradesmen. Both safety measures and changes in the economy have altered the industry, meaning construction workers are returning to the job to find a much different world than they left. As your sites begin reopening, here are five changes your company may notice and implement.

1. Additional health and safety measures

Additional health and safety measures are a logical change, considering everything that is going on around the world. To keep teams safe, precautions are being taken at job sites to make sure they are clean. Measures may include checking temperatures, sanitizing all equipment, and adjusting shifts to have fewer people on site at the same time. Masks, gloves, and additional hand sanitizing options will also be seen more frequently.

2. Video calls when possible

Project planning meetings with clients and team members will likely remain virtual for some time. As with most industries, anything that can be done remotely is shifting that way, meaning even construction meetings will look different than before. In some situations, virtual tours of sites are also being done.

3. Shift in projects

Project demand will increase by industry and by type of project. Certain project types will likely be in high demand such as converting offices from open concept to traditional as a safety measure. The medical and healthcare industries will likely see an increase in demand for construction projects as well. Even as states begin to reopen, certain businesses remain closed or are not looking to renovate or move until they are beyond the pandemic. Office projects may grow as those with more open concepts need to readjust to meet safety procedures. As people continue to order online versus shopping in person, warehouse and distribution projects are likely to be in demand as well.

4. Offices remaining remote

Even with workers back on site, the office and administrative employees will likely continue to telework. Especially with the goal of keeping people on site low, having these team members at home allows the job to continue with the maximum number of workers possible. Fortunately, technology makes staying connected easier than ever.

5. Increase in project time

Under the current circumstances, projects will take more time. With social distancing in place and both projects and shifts more staggered, the speed of completion will be slowed. Workers will continue to do their best, but the reality is things are different now. Old timelines will need to be updated to reflect current conditions.

What can Trade Management do for you?

Find out today! At Trade Management, we maintain a skilled, permanent workforce, to help our clients increase profit through productivity and reduced hiring costs. You focus on bidding and building; we handle the rest. Contact us today to get the help you need!

 

 

Self-Improvement – Upgrade Your Skillset Today for a Successful Tomorrow

It does not matter where you are in your trade career today – you should always be thinking about tomorrow. This is not about looking for new jobs, rather focusing on self-improvement to upgrade your skillset, so you are ready for whatever comes next. Consider these four reasons to pursue upskilling.

1. Help you stay up to date with the latest trends.

With new techniques being released frequently for your trade, focusing on learning them can help you stay up to date. The way you complete a task may work, but there is value in discovering new ideas and methods to do something, especially if it increases productivity and efficiency.

2. Make you more employable.

Being dedicated to finding and mastering these new skills and techniques makes you highly employable. Not only do you bring the rest of your talents, but you are also showing an employer your dedication to your career and being a top tier professional. It is advantages like this that can give you the edge over your competition.

3. Improve job security

Once you have a job, you can increase the likelihood of keeping it even longer. If your employer knows your passion for self-improvement and sees the results in the skills you bring to work every day, you have a better chance of job security. While nothing is guaranteed in any field or career, building skills is an important step to give you the best chance.

4. Gain perspective

Sometimes doing similar work day after day can make life seem monotonous. It is not that you do not love what you do, just that you are looking for a boost. In learning new skills, your job remains fresh and new every day. Your perspective shifts to thinking about what else there is to master and how you can bring it to your job to improve what you are doing.

Take your skills to a new opportunity with Trade Management today.

We recognize the skills necessary for today’s construction and skilled trade workforce and want to connect you with the right opportunity. Contact us today to find out more about how Trade Management can help your career.

Rebuilding Your Workforce – The Benefit of Hiring Contingent Labor

With new safety procedures required for companies to reopen, it is time to get back to work; however, that might mean rebuilding your current team. When determining how to hire, you must understand the uncertainty surrounding current projects and the potential for plans to change. The solution may be finding workers on a contract basis. Consider these benefits of hiring contingent labor.    

Get the workers you need faster   

You are trying to make wise decisions, but you do not want a long process in making them. After evaluating the scope of the project, you know the tradespeople required and want to onboard them as soon as possible. Typically, this would begin an exhaustive search for permanent hires, but with contingent, you can focus on the skills that matter and recruit workers fast. With the assistance of a staffing agency, you can locate these individuals and get the project started faster.    

Hire for specific skills   

Another benefit of contingent labor is the skill–sets workers bring to the table. You are looking at their specific abilities to do one specific job, or maybe several tasks related to your project. You can focus your search on what you precisely need.    

Opportunity for permanent hire   

You set the terms of how long you need the candidate for, and you can offer a contract-to-hire option if desired. This means you are only looking for a tradesperson for a set amount of time, but there is the potential for a more long-term relationship should the opportunity be there.    

Help from niche staffing agencies   

Previously, the benefit of a faster hire was mentioned, and a staffing agency is the best way to do it. Most agencies focus on an industry to better understand the needs of their clients. When sourcing, they are constantly looking for the top workers who are able to meet a wide variety of needs.  

We can help you with your trade staffing needs 

Trade Management exists for this reason. We know you need time to focus on what makes you profitable: building and bidding, so we take care of the rest. We continually source and screen the quality personnel needed for today’s skilled trade and construction workforce. Want to learn more about how we can help you?  Contact Trade Management today!    

TRADE MANAGEMENT WINS CLEARLYRATED’S 2020 BEST OF STAFFING CLIENT AND TALENT AWARDS FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Earned by less than two percent of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

SOUTH BEND, IN – FEBRUARY, 2020 – Trade Management, a leading staffing agency announced today that they have won Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and candidates. Presented in partnership with presenting sponsor, CareerBuilder, and gold sponsors Indeed and Glassdoor, ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Award winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients and candidates. On average, clients of winning agencies are 3.3 times more likely to be completely satisfied and candidates who have been placed by winning agencies are 1.7 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies. Trade Management received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 82.5% of their clients, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 24%. Additionally, Trade Management received the same high scores from 77.1% of their placed job candidates in comparison with the industry average of 45%.

“I am extremely excited to see that the high level of commitment to our clients and talent was reflected in our survey results. For the past 15 years, Trade Management has always strived to be a valued business partner to our clients and talent. This will allow us to continue to grow and strengthen our client and talent relationships going forward. We are truly grateful to receive Best of Staffing Recognition for 2020,” said David Meyer, Division Vice President of Trade Management.

About Trade Management

Trade Management opened in 2005 with a simple yet effective strategy: Focus on finding skilled and dependable employees, and the clients will come. Staying true to that simple philosophy has grown Trade Management from our small, one-man office to a growing business with 10 offices nationwide. We source quality electricians, carpenters, plumbers, millwrights, pipefitters, welders, painters, and a variety of other skilled labor professionals for small and large jobs alike. Trade Management operates as the skilled trades staffing division of the Peoplelink Group, America’s 45th-largest staffing firm and the 20th-largest provider of commercial staffing services in the nation.

About ClearlyRated

Rooted in satisfaction research for professional service firms, ClearlyRated utilizes a Net Promoter Score survey program to help professional service firms measure their service experience, build an online reputation, and differentiate on service quality. Learn more at https://www.clearlyrated.com/solutions/.

About Best of Staffing

ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on ClearlyRated.com – an online business directory that helps buyers of professional services find service leaders and vet prospective firms – based exclusively on validated client and talent ratings and testimonials.

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Contact
Kyle Green, Director of Marketing
marketing@peoplelinkgroup.com

A printable verison of this press release can be found here.

Tech Talk: How Drones Are Changing Construction Sites Worldwide

Tech Talk: How Drones Are Changing Construction Sites Worldwide

The popularity of drones continues to rise with more people purchasing and operating them both for personal and professional reasons. One professional field to see the value of drones is the construction industry. Here are four ways drones are changing construction sites worldwide.

Improved efficiency and communication

Drones have the ability to easily access different areas of a worksite without needing a human to accompany them. This means you can navigate the equipment wherever your team is working. By mounting a camera to the drone, you can keep tabs on what’s happening. Because of this ability to collect data in the moment from the construction site, managers are noticing an increase in efficiency. Workflow can be monitored all day, every day. In addition to promoting increased efficiency, workflow monitoring captures accurate data for use in updating investors and evaluating progress against timelines.

Land surveys

Drones can survey potential sites more quickly and cost effectively than people. The resulting data is more abundant and less subject to error than land surveys conducted by humans.

Safer transportation

Drones can do more than just provide a view of the construction site; they can provide practical assistance by transporting materials around the worksite quickly and safely.

Faster inspections

When you need to investigate part of a project, a drone can get there faster and provide better, more accurate data. While they won’t necessarily replace the benefit of experts examining the issue, drones can provide a first look to start the troubleshooting process.

Find the construction talent you need

Trade Management consistently provides the top industrial talent for companies like yours. Our growth is evidence of our success, and we just keep advancing. Contact us today to begin a powerful partnership.

Sick of Minimum Wage? Explore Learning a Trade

Graduating high school leads you to a forked road with several options, including a traditional, four-year degree, learning a trade, or trying to find work based on your current level of education. You know college isn’t the right choice for you and you don’t know very much about the process of learning a trade, so you opt for work that meets you at your current skill or educational level.

If this is you and you’re dissatisfied with your minimum-wage-level position, we have information for you about the benefits of exploring a new trade.

 

Get an education in less time for less money

While a four-year college can cost you more than $100,000, learning a trade costs less than a third and in as little as half the time. You’ll develop new, valuable skills without spending more time and money. Graduate sooner with the hands-on experience necessary to succeed!

 

Work opportunities available

One of the biggest challenges facing traditional graduates is finding a job. With more people opting to attend college, tradespeople are in short supply. In fact, more are retiring from the workforce than joining, meaning there are many open positions.

With a trade degree, you can expect to find a position quickly. In fact, 40% of projected job growth in the United States will fall to middle-skill jobs, or tradespeople.

 

Be compensated well

One of the biggest arguments for college is that it guarantees your later success, meaning you can pay for the expense of attending. While it’s true that the pay ceiling is higher for those with four-year degrees, the average tradesperson makes more than the average college graduate.

When you enter a trade program, you’re advancing your education and helping to fill gaps in the workplace with your knowledge and expertise. Not only will you likely experience financial success, you’ll feel good about the work that you do.

 

Get placed today

If you’ve spent your career working a trade or are a recent graduate from a trade program, trust Trade Management to help you get placed today. We have offices around the DFW area to help match you with the right opportunity. Register today and begin your career!