For years, I have heard about a decreasing quantity of trades people entering the workforce. When we add in the impact of covid, it seems the challenge is even greater. I recently read a statistic that over the next dozen years or so, the high school graduation rate is expected to drop by about 10%, largely based on birthrates. If we in this industry intend to remain competitive by hiring the best team, we’re going to have to get more creative and have more impactful outreach.
We have ramped up the radar and are being more aggressive than ever in our talent search. One suggestion is to bring interns into the fold earlier, perhaps in high school. While these students might be limited on hours, the influence could have multiple layers of benefits, for both the intern and the employer. Another plus is that teenagers who are exposed to mentoring situations are far less likely to get in trouble and more likely to develop a sense of belonging and purpose. On our end, contributing to our local youth is rewarding in itself, but can also provide an early connection with our company and its culture.
This type of training is on the horizon for us, and hope it will be for others in our field as well.