As construction companies struggle with finding skilled labor, military veterans are a segment of the labor force that deserves attention. Vets currently make up about 7% of the construction workforce and each year approximately 200,000 vets transition out of the military. Those construction firms that have been successful in recruiting and retaining veterans say their hard and soft skills as well as attitudinal characteristics make them great new hires. In addition, several programs are in place that makes it advantageous and cost-effective to train and hire vets. CONEXPO-CON/AGG is sharing the key benefits vets offer, how to recruit, and how to help vets transition from military to civilian employment.
These websites focus specifically on jobs for vets:
For many veterans the transition from the very structured environment of the military to an unstructured civilian work environment can be difficult. “Veterans are scared to death about the civilian world,” says Nilsson. “What we found at Turner was that we had to not only pay attention to hiring vets, but to keeping them employed.” A mentoring program proved highly successful in improving retention. Newly employed vets were paired with employees who also shared a military background.
Training is a big part of McCarthy’s efforts to retain workers of all backgrounds. They offer an in-depth hands-on training program that focuses on continual improvement of safety, quality, and productivity, which is rooted in SIX Sigma and LEAN construction principles.
“Because we want to help people with an interest in becoming part of the rapidly growing solar construction industry, we’ve developed accredited and formal training programs that provide best practice measures in workforce development,” says Gilliland. “These programs accommodate entry level positions as well as training for vets with some level of experience.” The programs focus on the development of general foreman, mentors who train craft employees, apprenticeships in solar and a program to transition solar laborers into general construction.
Hiring vets has an added bonus because there are incentives and programs to support employers:
For smaller construction firms who may not have formal training programs Gilliland recommends working with organizations that provide construction trades training for service members while they are still in the service, including Home Builders Institute (HBI). For veterans who have completed their service, there are groups like Adaptive Construction Solutions, The Warrior Alliance and Helmets to Hardhats – and Helmets to Hardhats Canada.
About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM)
AEM is the North America-based international trade group representing off-road equipment manufacturers and suppliers with more than 1,000 companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related industry sectors worldwide. The equipment manufacturing industry in the United States supports 2.8 million jobs and contributes roughly $288 billion to the economy every year.
About CONEXPO-CON/AGG
Held every three years, CONEXPO-CON/AGG is the must-attend event for construction industry professionals. The show features the latest equipment, products, services and technologies for the construction industry, as well as industry-leading education. The next CONEXPO-CON/AGG will be held March 14-18, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada.