3 Ways to Gain Repeat Contract Customers

Retaining your contract customers is easier and less expensive than finding new ones. This is especially true in the competitive construction industry.

Your company needs to stand out among all the rest in order to secure repeat customers. This helps you retain business better than price alone can.

Implement these three methods to secure repeat contract customers for your construction business.

1. Provide Quality Work

Show that your workers finish projects according to the specifications. Your past project performance, flexibility with project changes, compliance record, and site tidiness impact whether your company is hired for future work.

You can increase the quality of your workers’ projects by digitizing your paperwork, documentation, safety forms, and change orders. Making the information accessible at any time and from any location promotes quality results. Effectively sharing messages about the work increases organization and communication while reducing delays and rework.

Digitization of your project information also benefits your future projects. You can use the data to determine what did and did not work, the issues that arose, and how you resolved them. This helps your team improve their performance when working on a similar project in the future.

2. Finish Projects on Time and Within Budget

Demonstrate that you plan for circumstances that may cause delays in finishing projects. This may involve the use of technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms, to predict project outcomes.

Providing accurate, complete information about your past work helps provide a clearer estimate of the time and budget required to complete a new project. This takes into account potential hold-ups due to site complications, material delays, worker illnesses, or project changes. The more you finish quality projects within the estimated timeframe and the budget, the more likely you are to secure repeat business.

3. Prioritize Communication and Transparency

Keep your customers informed about the progress on their projects. This includes being available to answer questions and reach the established targets according to the timeline.

Because your customers likely spend a significant amount of money on the work they give you, they want honest information to maintain peace of mind. This includes being alerted if something unexpected happens and changes need to be made.

The more customers like and respect you, the more likely they will be to hire your company for future projects. This impacts your company’s reputation and bottom line.

Need Help Finding Skilled Labor?

Trade Management can match you with the skilled laborers needed to complete projects. Contact us today to get started.

How to Start a Career in Construction

start a career in construction

start a career in construction

If you’re a recent high school graduate, congratulations! Your hard work and dedication paid off.

If you are interested in starting your career, consider getting into the construction industry. The low barrier to entry, variety of job openings, and competitive pay rates make construction one of the best fields to enter.

Follow these guidelines to begin your career in construction today.

Create Your Resume

Your resume highlights your skills and experience that are relevant to the job you want. Because you don’t have formal construction experience, focus on your transferrable skills from other jobs or volunteer work that can benefit an employer. These may include reliability, communication, time management, problem-solving, and work ethic.

Use Your Network

Talk with the members of your network who have connections in the construction industry. Be sure to share your career goals so your connections know what you’re looking for. They may mention a job opening, introduce you to an employee, or refer you to a hiring manager.

Secure a Temporary Job

Work with a local staffing firm that specializes in construction to land a temporary job. This lets you work under the supervision of an experienced professional. You can gain the skills and experience required for either an apprenticeship or full-time employment. You also can decide which field of construction you want to focus on.

Consider an Apprenticeship

An apprenticeship helps provide the skills and experience needed to land a full-time construction job. It involves 2 to 4 years of classroom learning and hands-on training for your field. Because you typically get paid during your apprenticeship, you can learn while earning income.

Select a Field

Use your temporary job or apprenticeship to decide which construction field you want to pursue. Then, focus on finding a job in the specialty that interests you. This helps you gain the most relevant skills and experience for your career path. For instance, if you enjoy welding or working with metal, you may want to become a sheet metal engineer. Or, if you prefer planning, budgeting, and overseeing projects, you might want to become a project manager.

Land Your First Construction Job

Trade Management can place you with employers looking for entry-level construction workers. Register with us today.

 

Workplace Safety Month: Keeping Your Construction Team Safe

Did you know that June is National Safety Month? Safety is so important for your construction employees that an entire month is dedicated to increasing awareness of the issue.

Working construction in Summer increases the need for additional safety measures. More sunshine, heat, and humidity means you need to take additional precautions to protect your employees.

Implement the following tips to increase safety for your construction employees during hot weather.

Guard Against Heat Exhaustion 

Heat exhaustion is caused by the body becoming overheated to the point where it cannot cool itself down. This can turn into heat stroke if left untreated.

Symptoms of heat exhaustion include the following: 

  • Intense sweating 
  • A rapid or weak pulse  
  • Low blood pressure 
  • Cool skin with goosebumps despite the heat 
  • Muscle cramps 
  • Nausea  
  • Headaches  
  • Fatigue, dizziness, or fainting

Protect Against Heat Stroke  

Heat stroke can occur when the body is exposed to excessively high temperatures for an extended time. The body’s natural temperature regulating mechanisms fail, causing a fever and the potential to lose consciousness.

Symptoms of heat stroke include the following: 

  • A core temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or higher 
  • Change in sweating patterns 
  • Rapid heartbeat 
  • Headache  
  • Red skin 
  • Confusion, agitation, slurred speech, or delirium  
  • Nausea or vomiting 

If left untreated, heat stroke can lead to muscle, kidney, heart, or brain damage or death.

Monitor Your Employees’ Work Schedule

Try to avoid having your employees work during the hottest hours of the day. For instance, have your employees begin work earlier in the morning, before the sun has had time to increase the temperature. This can reduce the time spent working outside during the midday heat. Also, if parts of the job require indoor work, consider having your employees work inside during the hottest hours and outside when the temperature is less extreme.

Provide Regular Breaks

Ensure your employees take frequent breaks. Continuous engagement in demanding work increases the odds of your employees becoming injured or ill. This is why they need additional breaks as the day gets hotter.

Remind your employees to sit down in the shade during breaks. If there are no trees or other natural sources of shade, you may need to put up tents, awnings, or other items to create shade.

Provide Water 

Remind your employees to drink lots of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated in the heat is vital for your employees’ health.

You may want to make available large coolers packed with ice and water. Also, ensure your employees are drinking water at least once every 15 minutes throughout the day. This applies even when employees don’t feel thirsty. Regular hydration promotes proper sweating to regulate the body’s core temperature.

Want to Add to Your Construction Team?

Trade Management has the construction workers you need to complete projects. Contact us to learn more today. 

Mental Health Safety Tips

May is Mental Health Month Awareness Month. Mental health is important for everyone. This is especially true for construction workers. The long hours, strenuous labor, potential for injuries, and seasonal layoffs are significant sources of stress.

Construction workers struggling with mental health concerns are more susceptible to on-the-job accidents than workers without these issues. As a construction worker, you need to pay attention to your mental health and take steps to improve it when needed.

Implement these tips to maintain your mental health while working in construction.

Talk with Your Manager About Job Stressors 

Think about which parts of your job cause the most stress. Find potential resolutions to these issues. Talk with your manager about your problems and potential solutions.

For instance, you may feel unsure about what your role is for a project. If so, you can ask your manager what your role is, what their expectations are, and who you should take onsite directions from.

You can use this discussion to create a basis for ongoing communication with your manager. Regular discussion of your concerns helps get your needs met. This can decrease your stress and increase your mental health.

Normalize Discussion of Mental Health Concerns 

Encourage your manager to regularly engage your team in open discussions about mental health concerns. This may involve your manager and you sharing your experiences with mental health concerns and how you handled them. Perhaps you implemented daily meditation, began eating healthier foods, or started weekly counseling sessions.

Ask your manager to host seminars with diverse guest speakers talking about mental health. They can serve as role models for your team members to relate to and potentially get help with their struggles.

Encourage your manager to hand out information on local and national resources to help with mental health. This may include the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The national helpline provides referral routing services for individuals and families with mental health concerns and substance use disorders. Construction workers who do not want to talk about their mental health concerns may feel more comfortable getting help outside the workplace.

Looking for a Construction Job? 

Trade Management can match you with the construction jobs that fit your skills and interests. Register with us today.

How to Optimize Your Construction Workflow

A construction workflow is the coordination of tasks among people in an organization. This includes the passing of data and information to guide the appropriate action.

A construction workflow typically follows a hierarchy of approvals and privileges based on job description. Optimization of the workflow is designed to maximize the company’s profits. Examples include the processes for accounts payable, payroll processing, submittals, RFIs, and closeouts.

Most companies look for ways to improve these processes. There typically are methods to improve efficiency and work quality. The use of fewer resources to maintain customer satisfaction leads to greater profit.

Because improvements in your construction workflows take time, you want to get started on the process today. The sooner you begin, the sooner you can start to see results.

The following information can help you optimize your construction workflows.

Common Workflow Issues

The majority of construction workflow problems fall into one of three areas: 

  • Communication: Data and information must be efficiently transmitted and communicated in the field or back office. 
  • Data management: Data needs to be stored and accessed in a centralized location to provide the correct information needed to complete tasks.  
  • Visibility: Transparency in each workflow and the progression of events is needed to keep track of where an employee or team is in a process.

Methods to Improve Workflows 

You can use collaboration, automation, standardization, and elimination (CASE) to correct construction workflow issues. 

  • Collaboration: Employees need to work together to uncover and resolve siloes, inefficiencies, and redundancies in the workflows. Employees can complete more work in less time. 
  • Automation: A reduction in data entry, approval pathing, and general clerical tasks would increase the efficiency and accuracy of workflows. Responsibilities that take two employees may be completed by one employee.  
  • Standardization: The collection and storage of data in one platform increases employee access and ease of use. This reduces compartmentalization and the potential for error.  
  • Elimination: Get rid of redundancies, inefficiencies, compartmentalization, siloes, and human error as much as possible. These actions increase efficiency and accuracy throughout your organization.

Want Help with Hiring?  

Trade Management can provide you with the construction workers you need when you need them. Get in touch with us today.

OSHA Updates for 2022

OSHA 2022

OSHA 2022OSHA compliance is critical for construction employers. Staying current on OSHA changes and programs helps you take action to increase protective measures for the safety of your employees. Although much of recent OSHA update coverage has focused on vaccine mandates, there are many other ongoing OSHA programs aimed at maintaining a safe work environment.

The following OSHA programs will impact your construction employees throughout 2022.

National Safety Stand-Down 

The National Safety-Stand Down increases fall hazard awareness to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities among construction workers.  

  • This voluntary event encourages employers to talk with employees about company safety policies and goals, the importance of fall prevention, and the use of protective methods.   
  • Conduct a Safety Stand-Down during a toolbox talk, safety equipment inspection, development of a rescue plan, or discussion of specific job hazards.  
  • Provide feedback about a Safety Stand-Down and download a Certificate of Participation from OSHA.

Heat Stress Emphasis Program 

A federal heat standard regarding heat injury and illness prevention in indoor and outdoor work settings is being formed.  

  • A reduction in the number of workers who die from job-related heat stress continues to be a growing priority.  
  • A program with national emphasis is being developed to protect workers from hot environments to reduce ambient heat exposure.  
  • A National Advisory Committee on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention is being formed to better identify the challenges impacting worker safety.

Other Programs Impacting Construction

  • The OSHA Fatality Inspection Procedures to Victim’s Family facilitates the exchange of information throughout the inspection and settlement process. This keeps the family informed of the status of the inspection, preliminary findings, any issued citations, proposed penalties, settlement, and closure of the case.  
  • The Combustible Dust program reduces combustible duty hazards such as explosion prevention and mitigation controls.  
  • The Lead Exposure program includes a system to measure lead exposure during inspections.
  • Trenching and Excavation emphasizes the reduction or elimination of workplace hazards related to these operations.

Programs with Regional Emphasis Impacting Construction  

Each of OSHA’s 10 regions may have programs that emphasize specific issues related to the construction industry.  

  • Seven regions, including the entire country east of the Mississippi and the Pacific Northwest, have programs regarding noise hazards in the workplace.  
  • All federal regions other than the Kansas City region and the South Pacific islands are focusing programs on fall hazards. 
  • New England, the Pacific Northwest, and Texas and the contiguous states are focusing special attention on construction cranes.  
  • Regions stretching from New York south to Virginia and west to Minnesota have programs focused on demolition.  
  • Nebraska and Kansas have programs emphasizing commercial and residential construction after severe weather. 
  • The Rock Mountain region has a program focused on asbestos abatement. 
  • New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands have programs related to heavy highway and bridge construction.

Looking to Hire Construction Workers?

Partner with Trade Management to find the construction workers you need to work on your projects. Contact us today.

Spring Construction Safety Tips

spring construction

spring construction

As Spring nears, so does construction season. The longer hours of daylight provide more time to work. However, the unpredictable weather conditions can lead to an increased risk of accidents on the jobsite. This is why you need to be increasingly aware of how to reduce the odds of injuries.

Implement the following tips to increase safety while working on a construction site this Spring.

Wear Personal Protective Equipment

Spring construction sites can be wet, muddy, and windy, making it easier to slip and fall.
Wear waterproof boots with good traction.
Wear a high-visibility raincoat and gloves with a slip-proof grip to increase awareness of your presence in areas with vehicle traffic.
If you wear a hood, turn your head to look for vehicles and people in your peripheral vision.
Use anti-fog spray on your safety glasses to keep your vision clear.

Wipe Away Mud

Before mounting the equipment, clear any mud from the steps, the rungs, and your boots.
Mud can make the equipment slippery, which can lead to injuries.
Slow your pace to reduce the odds of getting hurt.

Increase Safety with the Excavator

Implement safety measures to reduce of odds of injury while using an excavator.
Check the ground for stability before moving an excavator across it. Soft ground can cause the equipment to tip or roll over.
Wear a seat belt when operating an excavator.
Use in-vehicle video cameras, proximity detection devices, tag-based systems, or a spotter to detect whether someone is behind you when backing up.

Wear Fall Protection Equipment

Spring winds and rain can make working at heights more dangerous.
Know how to properly fit a body harness. Have a partner check to ensure that all parts are properly in place and working.
Know the safe anchor points for a personal fall arrest system.

Maintain Scaffold Safety

Scaffolds may be used only when the weather permits, not during rain or high winds.
Make sure you are properly trained to use the scaffold.
Wear personal protective equipment such as safety glasses, work gloves, safety shoes or boots, and fall protection.
Know the weight capacity of the scaffold.
Be aware of any coworkers above, below, or next to you.

Looking for a Construction Job?

Make Trade Management part of your job search. Register with us today.

Explaining Electrical Apprenticeships & Different Career Paths

Working as an electrician provides many career opportunities. The ongoing reliance on electrical systems provides you with a high level of job security. One of the best ways to begin your career as an electrician is by securing an electrical apprenticeship. The skills and experience you gain can lead to your first full-time job.

Find out what an electrical apprenticeship involves and what some of your career options may be.

Education 

A high school diploma or GED is needed to gain an electrical apprenticeship. An emphasis on algebra, trigonometry, physics, shop, and mechanical drawing is important. When you secure an electrical apprenticeship, you typically have 4 weeks of classroom training per year for 4-5 years. This training should include electrical theory, current safety measures, and related information. Once you complete 2,000 hours of paid on-the-job training, you graduate to a journeyman electrician. This additional experience provides you with greater earning potential. If you decide to become a master electrician, you typically need to work an average of 2 years, complete at least 4,000 documented hours as a journeyman electrician, take classes, and pass a test. Then, you can work unsupervised, pull permits, supervise other electricians, and train electrical apprentices. Reaching this level can further increase your earning power.

Job Duties

In an electrical apprenticeship, your tasks are determined by the journeyman electrician, who is your supervisor. Initially, you’ll learn to read schematics and gather tools and materials for the job. As you gain experience, you might install conduits or new wiring, replace old or damaged wiring, or install lighting, fire alarms, or security systems under close supervision. Other tasks may include mounting panel boards, switches, and other equipment or troubleshooting and repairing equipment.

Licenses and Certifications

Most states require electricians to pass a test and be licensed. Contact your local or state electrical licensing board to determine the requirements for licensure. You may need to work for several years as a journeyman electrician supervised by a master electrician.

Maintenance and Construction Careers

If you like working in different areas, then you may want a career in maintenance and construction. Typical duties include wiring and working on repairs for residential buildings. You can work with the construction team to bring electricity to the structure.

Industrial Establishment Careers

If you want to perform electrical work in different industries, you may choose a career in an industrial establishment. Most work involves installation, essential maintenance, and repairs for switchboard meters, industrial storage batteries, and hydraulic electrical control units. The more basic aspects include wiring, assembling fiber-optic cables, and installing and repairing light fixtures.

Network Cabling Careers

If you want to help set up communication systems, you may choose a career in network cabling. You may install and maintain data systems for internet providers, ensure proper video transmissions for telecommunications, or maintain the communication systems of educational institutions and industry offices.

Find an Electrical Apprenticeship

Work with Trade Management to secure an electrical apprenticeship. Register with us today.

How to Upskill Your Tradesmen and Close the Skills Gap

Many skilled trades lack enough workers to fill labor demands. With increasing numbers of experienced professionals retiring, fewer skilled tradespeople are replacing them. Because of this skills gap, training and upskilling are more critical now than ever. As a skilled trades employer, you need to offer your workforce the programs and opportunities needed to develop the skills to complete your projects.

Choose among these three methods to effectively increase the skill sets of your tradespeople.

1. Offer Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships allow workers to gain the education and experience needed to succeed in a skilled trade. Combining classroom instruction with hands-on training under the supervision of journey-level tradespeople provides the foundation for a long-term career. Jobsite safety, building codes, OSHA regulations, and technical documentation and blueprints are among the knowledge and skills gained. Other hard skills can be taught through guided instruction. Soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and work ethic are developed as well.

2. Use Technology

Customized technology can identify which of your tradespeople require training and development to enhance their skill set. Having real-time access to this data improves overall operations from the office to the field. For instance, the technology can show project managers which workers need retraining or upskilling in certain areas to complete tasks. This technology also shows the certifications that workers possess and potential gaps in other areas that require certification. Additionally, the technology can analyze which workers logged specific amounts of time in a certain area to determine whether they should upskill in related areas of work. Plus, it can match workers’ skills and requirements to tasks and activities, track their training progress, and add custom skills or tags to workers.

3. Partner with a Staffing Agency

Work with a recruiter from a staffing agency that specializes in your trade. You gain skilled temporary, contract, or permanent staff. Because the workers are thoroughly vetted and trained, they are ready to hit the ground running!

Work with Trade Management

Work with a professional recruiter from Trade Management to fill your skilled labor needs. Contact us today.

How an Apprenticeship Can Advance Your Career

Benefits of an Apprenticeship - TradeManagement

Benefits of an Apprenticeship - TradeManagement

When thinking about your career options, have you considered securing an apprenticeship for a skilled trade? This type of paid, on-the-job program provides the education, skills, and experience needed to succeed in a specific industry. The knowledge and training you gain can help you secure full-time employment.

Discover how completion of an apprenticeship can advance your career in a skilled trade.

1. Career Paths

Completing an apprenticeship can lead to a long-term career without a four-year degree. With a high school degree or GED, some of your career options in a skilled trade include construction worker, carpenter, plumber, electrician, HVAC worker, millwright, pipefitter, welder, or painter.

2. Earning While Learning

An apprenticeship serves as both a job and a learning experience. Because education and training are part of your work, you learn and develop skills while on the job. This lets you apply your knowledge and use your talents to increase confidence in your capabilities. You also gain qualifications for long-term employment while earning money to pay your bills. As you complete your apprenticeship, your wages typically increase.

3. Support and Mentorship

An apprenticeship provides you targeted, one-on-one learning with seasoned professionals. You have someone to answer your questions, show you how to develop the skills needed to perform tasks, and help perfect your techniques. Having this type of direct access to colleagues and mentors lets you maximize your strengths, improve on your weaknesses, and apply your learning to real-world experiences. These experienced professionals also can provide advice on contract negotiations, pay expectations, typical work hours, and other aspects of your job and industry.

4. Professional Advancement

Working through an apprenticeship can help you earn a promotion without going back to school. You can advance in your career by developing skills for supervisory or other roles with increased responsibility and pay. Your on-the-job training for company operations, preferences, and leadership styles can help you move into management roles. This typically comes with higher income and greater career satisfaction. Plus, when you complete your apprenticeship, you receive a certified credential that attracts employers. Your knowledge and experience are immediately transferrable to employment opportunities throughout the country.

5. Competitive Advantage

Many employers prefer to hire apprenticeship graduates over candidates who did not complete an apprenticeship. Completing an apprenticeship shows you have the industry knowledge, technical skills, drive, dedication, and strong work ethic needed to succeed in a role. You are serious about your future, are committed to the work provided, and know how to solve problems and overcome obstacles.

Find a Trade Job

Find your first or next trade job with Trade Management. Send us your resume today.