According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for construction laborers and helpers is set to rise by 12 percent between now and 2026, which is faster than the normal average. As a small business owner, you can’t afford to hire ineffective laborers. With such an influx of labor on the way, you may be wondering what you can do to make sure that you hire the best construction workers. Starting with the following five tips should help.

Pay Your Employees Well 

One well-known fact is that you must spend money to make money. This is especially true when it comes to your workers. Sure, it may seem as though paying top dollar for your workers will cut into your bottom line, something that is particularly critical for small business owners. But what you’re not considering is that hiring less than the best could derail your project. Inexperienced construction workers could:

  •  Pose a safety risk 
  •  Be more likely to break equipment 
  •  Work slowly or inefficiently 

These can all result in costly delays and ruin your reputation for future projects. As a small business owner, your reputation is critical. Paying well and offering perks like paid time off, health benefits, and bonuses is an investment that you won’t regret making in order to hire the best team.

Conduct Thorough Evaluations 

Many construction managers have lax employment standards because they need capable help. But if you’re looking to attract the best, you should make this clear during the hiring process. All candidates should go through a rigorous interview process. Be sure to prepare interview questions beforehand and make sure that a candidate’s experience lines up with your needs for the project. Also, check each reference in order to get a clear understanding of their past employment.

Appoint Someone To Handle Hiring 

Finding qualified employees can be a full-time job, so treat it as one, especially if you are busy monitoring other sites or running other aspects of your business. You should appoint someone in your company to oversee the hiring process or hire a third-party to do so on your behalf. If you choose the latter, be sure to make your expectations clear for the hire.

Recruit Talent 

Another effective way is to recruit a prospective hire to work for you. Construct a well-written job posting that outlines the role you need to hire for and what workers can expect when working for you. Describe what makes your company unique, like construction workforce management, painting a picture of why someone would want to work with your team. Then, post these ads on relevant websites, such as LinkedIn or Indeed.

Develop A Talent Outreach Program 

This may take some time to set up, but doing so could help you build a sustainable pipeline of qualified talent. Start by hosting workshops and seminars at your business, then recruit individuals from high schools or trade schools to attend. This will put you in a position to find workers who are young, motivated, and eager to work. You can also consider providing things like:

  •    Part-time positions 
  •  Specific craft-training opportunities 

Building talent allows you to train employees to meet and surpass your standards.