How to find plumbers who are right for your construction projects

According to an Associated General Contractors of America survey, 82% of construction companies are struggling to hire plumbers. To support your plumber staffing efforts, PeopleReady Skilled Trades shares our five staffing tips for making recruiting plumbers much easier.

Our expert construction staffing tips for recruiting plumbers

The right plumber job posting can make all the difference

Writing a detailed job posting is a critical step as you kick off the hiring process. Without clear and specific postings, you’re more likely to receive applications from job seekers who fail to meet your particular criteria. This leads to increased time sorting through applications to identify the right candidates. In the worst-case scenario, reposting the job can cause significant project delays.

To build your perfect job posting, make sure to include key details such as:

• Your required type of experience: Depending on the job at hand, you may need a plumber with a specialty (commercial plumber or residential plumber, for example) or certain level of experience (apprentice plumber or master plumber, for example). Being specific in your job postings can narrow down the field of applicants and make your plumber hiring process a success.
• Your construction projects and specialties: You can share examples of your recently completed work to help ensure that applicants are interested in working on your projects and will know how to get your projects done right.
• Your job arrangements: It’s important to specify whether you’re recruiting for short-term, temp-to-hire or long-term plumbers. That way, only applicants interested in that type of employment will apply for your plumber jobs.

Ask for employee referrals when recruiting plumbers or any other tradespeople

Your current workforce can give you an added hand in recruiting plumbers who are just the right fit. After all, they know what it takes to succeed in your company better than anyone. Many of your team members will have relationships with skilled tradespeople they can reach out to from previous jobs. Involving your team in the plumber staffing process has the added benefit of making them feel valued and appreciated, which can inspire loyalty.

When hiring a plumber or any tradesperson, choosing workers who can get along well with your team is just as important as their trade skills. If someone on your team recommends a potential candidate, it’s a strong indication that the candidate can get the job done and would be a great fit for your company.

Develop a clear process for interviewing candidates for plumber jobs

The interview process can help you identify the top candidates when you need to hire a plumber. That’s why it’s crucial to ask questions about their previous experience, current duties and motivations for looking for a new role. The better you know each candidate, the easier it will be to make an informed hiring decision.

You can also learn a lot about each candidate by asking them a series of open-ended questions. That way, you can get a good idea of each candidate’s technical skills, problem-solving abilities and awareness of safety procedures and protocols. Here are just a few questions that you might ask applicants for your plumber jobs:

• What licenses, certifications or training programs have you completed related to the plumbing field?
• What tools and equipment are you most familiar with when completing plumbing repairs or installations?
• Can you tell me about a situation where you were able to solve a plumbing issue?
• How do you stay up to date with the latest plumbing codes and regulations?
• How do you ensure compliance with safety procedures and protocols and maintain a safe work environment?

Screen your top plumber candidates to verify their skills and qualifications

A rigorous vetting process for all potential candidates is crucial during the hiring phase. This thorough screening ensures that the workers you bring on board possess the requisite qualifications and credentials to succeed in their roles.

You might also consider reaching out to a candidate’s former employers, who can provide valuable insight into their quality of work. This will give you first-hand knowledge of their work style, reliability and how well they function as part of a team. With a robust screening process in place, you can be confident that the plumbers you hire are right for your particular role.

Partner with a construction staffing agency for your plumber staffing needs

The plumbing industry is expected to face a shortage of 550,000 workers by 2027, according to a recent report by Bloomberg. This shortage will most likely lead to significant competition among construction companies looking to fill key plumbing roles. This is also why many contractors and subcontractors are now partnering with a plumbers staffing agency or construction staffing agency for further support.

If you’re looking for tradespeople to hire, a plumbers staffing agency has a far-reaching network that they can call upon to fill your open roles. Additionally, their construction staffing services simplify the hiring process — saving your company time and ensuring that your project deadlines are always met.

Plus, a plumbers staffing agency has construction experts who can provide guidance on current and emerging trends in your industry. With a staffing agency’s extensive network and industry expertise on your side, you can more easily navigate the hiring process.

Plumber staffing solutions are available with PeopleReady Skilled Trades

Ongoing workforce shortages have made construction hiring a challenge, whether you’re looking for plumbers, electricians, welders or other qualified tradespeople. That’s why PeopleReady Skilled Trades delivers plumber staffing solutions that meet your specific needs. Each tradesperson we dispatch to your company is vetted to ensure that they are right for your construction workforce.

Our skilled trades staffing experts also understand that each construction project is different. As part of our plumber staffing solutions, we offer convenient access to skilled plumbers across a variety of specialties. For example:

• Commercial plumbers
• Industrial plumbers
• Residential plumbers
• Service plumbers

If you need more support with recruiting plumbers for your construction projects, reach out to our team today!