Restoration logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Restoration logo
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
    • New Products & Technologies
    • Submit Your Product
    • Interactive Product Spotlights
  • EDUCATION
    • KnowHow.
    • Podcasts
    • Trade Shows & Expos
    • Training & Certification
    • Webinars
    • Whitepapers
  • TOPICS
    • Water Damage
    • Fire & Smoke Damage
    • Mold
    • Contamination
    • Odor
    • Contents
    • Architecture
    • Catastrophe
    • Cleaning
  • BUSINESS
    • Managing Your Business
    • Insurance/Legal Matters
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • VIDEOS
    • Ask Annissa
    • Ask the Expert
    • Ironclad Marketing Minute
    • TradeTalks
    • Video Channel
  • INFOCENTER
    • Mold and Mycotoxins
  • THE EXPERIENCE
    • Conference & Exhibition
    • Convention & Trade Show
    • R&R Special Issue
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Managing Your Restoration Business

Competing for Employees

Hiring and attracting top talent in a job climate where opportunities abound

Hull_FT
Hull_sl2
Hull_FT
Hull_sl2
August 5, 2015

Many business experts from various academic and professional fields have stated that the competitive battle of the future will be for employees, not customers. When it comes to skilled labor, this may be the understatement of the century. The shortage of labor in the trades has gone from a concern to a problem in the blink of an eye. It is a topic of conversation at every trade show, networking event, and gathering of professionals nationwide. In the next 10 to 15 years, it will become a crisis if companies do nothing about it.

Surveys conducted by the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, and Economic Modeling Specialists International (EMSI) over the past several years all reveal very alarming statistics. Over half of the skilled labor workforce in the United States is over the age of 45, with nearly 20% between the ages of 55 and 65. That generation, which consists mainly of the baby boomers, will be leaving the workforce at a rate somewhere between three and five times faster than their millennial replacements will be entering.

Even though the millennials represent a larger percentage of the overall population than any other segment, social influences have placed a greater emphasis on higher education and pursuit of professional (white collar) careers. Couple this with an economic rebound, low unemployment rates, and an education in job security, wage, and benefit awareness by the working class, and you have an employee’s market where demand far outpaces supply and skillset.

For restorers to survive this crisis, the first thing they must do is change their mindsets with regard to how they view human capital. It is hard to believe, in an industry where skilled labor is the single largest direct job cost, that employers would view their workforce as anything less than invaluable. However, many companies still look at technicians and carpenters as easily replaceable. This is evident in the reluctance of owners to do even the simple things to attract and retain talent, such as providing basic benefit packages or training and development opportunities.

I have reviewed many business plans and budgets where the capital investment (tools, vehicles, and equipment) lines are double or even triple that of the training and development lines. Newsflash—if equipment breaks, there are plenty of suppliers standing in line to sell you new stuff. If an employee decides to quit or, worse yet, underperforms and stays, it will easily cost you more than your entire equipment budget.

Beyond the wage and benefits battle, contractors need to make their companies more attractive places to work. This goes far beyond having a presentable and clean office or warehouse. It involves creating an environment and culture that makes people want to work (and stay) there. This involves appealing to the needs and desires of the new generations. Flexible work schedules, extended holiday time, comprehensive health benefits, and structured professional development plans will soon become the norm within the realm of attractive places to work.

One of the greatest attributes of restoration contractors is their ability to creatively adapt to situations that arise. Solving a labor shortage will be no different. The use of part time and seasonal employees is on the rise and will continue. The prevalence of legal immigrant workers is a viable and effective option in many areas. And establishment of strategic partnerships with pooled labor sources will provide employers with different methods for them to reach a prospective and scalable workforce.

Getting the word out will be a key component to these initiatives. Just as most service companies might advertise for new sales opportunities, they will now have to advertise for new employees as well. Those of us in Western Pennsylvania have witnessed the effectiveness of this first hand with the Marcellus Shale and natural gas boom. Advertisements for equipment operators, welders, and laborers have peppered our airwaves and television stations for the past three years. Natural resource companies promising higher wages and sustainable careers have successfully recruited and exhausted a large segment of the labor pool in the area.

This proves the magnitude of the situation as it extends across industries. Not only are contractors competing with each other for painters and carpenters, but they are also competing against employers from other industries who are battling for the same resources. The only long-term solution calls for a promotion of the trades that must start with the contractors. The future tradesmen and restoration technicians of our field can be found in our schools and are just waiting to be discovered.

To capitalize on this opportunity, restorers and contractors need to get organized and get involved. The support and sponsorship of local trade schools is a must in this movement. Donate time by volunteering to be on the board, donate money and materials for hands-on workshops, and donate knowledge by offering to supplement the school’s curriculum with presentations on property damage repair and restoration. Getting to these kids early and often will be the key to building a new generation of skilled labor.

The business, science, and engineering fields have proven this to be an effective recruiting strategy through programs like Junior Achievement and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). With a little corporate support from trade manufacturers and the empathetic ear of local legislators, both private and government funding should be available to aid in the effort.

 All of this points to a proactive position that should be taken by the cleaning, restoration, and construction industries to help solve this dilemma. After talking to contractors daily about the struggles of filling voids in their labor forces, I have no doubt this could be the single largest struggle facing the industry in next 10 to 15 years. Sitting idly on the sidelines is not an option. Restorers must accept the facts and statistics of the social and demographic shifts that we knew were coming and act swiftly to promote the future of our trade.   

KEYWORDS: hiring and recruiting skilled labor Violand Management Associates workforce

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • mold remediation

    Fighting Mold and Bacteria Damage

    Successful mold remediation can be multidisciplinary,...
    Contamination Restoration & Remediation​
    By: Josh Woolen
  • certifications and licenses for restoration professionals

    Certifications and Licenses Every Restoration Company Needs

    Restoration companies need to make sure they have the...
    Restoration Training/Education
    By: Sharon Elzarat
  • a wall covered in moss and fungus

    Zero Tolerance for Toxic Molds: Essential Steps for Successful Remediation

    Understanding the importance of zero tolerance for toxic...
    Mold Remediation
    By: Michael A. Pinto CSP, SMS, CMP, RTPE, FLS, ERS and Kendra Seymour
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

More Videos

Popular Stories

wall cavity drying

Dry or Demolish? Navigating the Complexities of Wall Cavity Restoration

Ask the Expert: Unlocking Efficiency in Water Damage Restoration

Unlocking Efficiency in Water Damage Restoration

Ask the Expert: Catastrophe Panel - Back to the Basics Part 1

Catastrophe Panel – Back to the Basics Part 1

R&R Ladder Award - Submit Your Nomination

Events

September 3, 2025

The Experience Convention and Trade Show

The Experience Convention & Trade Show logoJoin us in Las Vegas for The Experience Convention & Trade Show, the leading event for cleaning, restoration, and remediation pros, packed with hands-on demos, expert speakers, and high-impact networking. Happening September 3–5, 2025 at Caesars Forum—this is where the industry comes to learn, connect, and grow!

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Restoration Services

What restoration/remediation service do you prioritize most?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary

The Cleaning, Restoration, Inspection, and Safety Glossary.

See More Products
Webinar - Top Legal Tools Every Restoration Contractor Should Understand

Related Articles

  • Enthusiaatic worker.jpg

    Employees Want Job Stability, Opportunity for Meaningful Work

    See More
  • RR1021-Podcasts-900x550-Jim-Kowalski.jpg

    Real Stories: Jim Kowalski on Competing as a Family-Run Restoration Business in a Landscape of Franchises

    See More
  • annissa employees

    Ask Annissa: 3 Ways to Find Good Employees for Your Restoration Business

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • COVER pdf.jpg

    How to Get More Restoration Jobs in 14 Days... (ebook)

  • Cover.jpg

    How To Get More Water Damage Jobs (ebook)

See More Products
×

Stay ahead of the curve with our eNewsletters.

Get the latest industry updates tailored your way.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Submit a Press Release
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Reprints
    • Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing