The pandemic has ravaged many industries. Some industries devastated by the pandemic are just now beginning to see a rebound, while others are not as fortunate. For example, the pandemic has hit the restaurant industry, with many restaurants closing their doors for good. The aviation industry has also been hit hard by the pandemic, with many airlines going bankrupt. But no other sector was hit more than the construction industry.

The industry lost millions of dollars and jobs due to the pandemic. It damaged the industry’s net worth and forced many companies to close. Because of this, millions of people also lost their jobs. However, the construction industry is recovering, but it’s still struggling to recover the manpower losses it experienced last year, partially because of the great resignation.

The Great Resignation

The great resignation is a term used to describe the mass exodus of employees from the workforce in 2020. Many workers left the workforce due to fear of the pandemic and because they could start businesses that paid them better than their previous jobs.

The great resignation has created a skills gap in the construction industry that is now being felt. As a result, many companies are now struggling to find qualified workers to fill their open positions.

This is bad news for the construction industry because fewer workers are to choose from, and projects are taking longer to complete. It also means that companies have to pay more for workers, which raises the cost of construction projects.

Thankfully, there are a few ways to get manpower for your construction firm during the pandemic. The first and most effective way is to outsource it to recruitment professionals.

Outsource

Outsourcing recruitment is a common tactic done by businesses in many other industries. However, many recruitment companies specialize in construction jobs. Therefore, they have a database of qualified workers that they can contact and hire for your company. Moreover, they can handle the recruitment process for you, so you get employees, not mere applicants.

Outsourcing is a cost-efficient way to get manpower for your construction firm during the pandemic. It’s also a fast way to get employees because you’re not dealing with the process yourself.

The second way to get manpower for your construction firm during the pandemic is by training existing employees.

Training Existing Employees

One of the best ways to get more out of your existing workforce is by training them. You can do this in-house or hire an outside company to do it for you. This works well for firms that have a lot of underqualified workers.

Training your employees has many benefits. First, it helps improve employee retention because they feel valued by the company. It also helps improve employee morale because they feel like they are developing their skills. Lastly, it helps improve employee productivity because they are better equipped to do their jobs.

Hiring Remote Workers

Hiring remote workers is another way to get manpower for your construction firm during the pandemic. This is a good option for companies that don’t have the physical space to house more employees. It’s also a good option during the pandemic because more Americans are now working at home. Hiring remote workers also has its benefits.

It’s a cost-effective solution because you don’t have to provide them with office space or equipment. It’s also a fast solution because you can hire them almost immediately. Lastly, it’s a flexible solution because you can hire them for specific projects or tasks.

If you’re struggling to find manpower for your construction firm during the pandemic, consider hiring remote workers instead.

Hire Independent Contractors

Independent contractors are not employees, but they are a great way to get manpower for your construction firm during the pandemic. In addition, they are typically cheaper than employees, and you don’t have to provide them with benefits.

Independent contractors are also a good option if you need workers for specific projects or tasks. You can hire them for as long as you need them and then let them go when the project is over.

Just be sure that you follow the law when hiring independent contractors. You need to make sure that they are classified correctly and that you withhold the correct taxes from their paychecks.

The construction industry is facing a manpower crisis due to the pandemic. Manpower has become scarce, and companies have to pay more for workers.

Thankfully, there are a few ways to get manpower for your construction firm during the pandemic. You can get the manpower you need without breaking the bank by following these tips.