Sheet metal worker staffing tips for your construction company
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that over 10,000 new sheet metal workers will need to be hired each year over the next decade to replace retiring workers. This increased competition in the hiring market can leave construction companies understaffed, potentially leading to project delays. To help your company avoid this issue, PeopleReady Skilled Trades shares our top tips to make your sheet metal worker staffing efforts more successful.
How to hire sheet metal workers with the right qualifications
Start out with detailed sheet metal worker job postings
One of the most important steps of the hiring process is creating a detailed job posting. While some construction companies share general job descriptions to attract more candidates, they may also spend more time sorting through applicants without the right skills and experience, prolonging their search.
That’s why it’s essential to share all of the crucial details of the sheet metal worker job. To attract the right applicants, your job posting should mention key details such as:
- Necessary job skills and experience: Projects often require specific types of sheet metal expertise. Some may need a specialist for a particular setting, while others demand a certain level of experience (sheet metal apprentice, sheet metal journeyman, sheet metal master) to get the job done right. Providing these details can help ensure that your job postings reach the right applicants.
- The length of the assignment: Each of your construction projects will have different scheduling and hiring needs. That’s why you should use your job posting to specify whether you need tradespeople for short-term, temp-to-hire or long-term arrangements. As a result, only applicants who are available for your specific hiring arrangements will apply.
- A list of your most recent projects: Another way to improve your applicant pool is to share examples of projects that best represent your company. Taking this approach can attract sheet metal workers who are qualified and motivated to work on these types of projects.
Ask your construction workers for help with recruiting sheet metal workers
Your construction crew understands the skills and qualities necessary for the job, making them a valuable resource when you need to hire sheet metal workers and other tradespeople. After all, they likely know qualified candidates from past jobs or will have connections through their professional networks. Including your workers in the hiring process can make your recruitment efforts easier while also making them feel valued, which fosters loyalty toward your company.
When considering your employee referrals, keep in mind that while trade skills are crucial, so is the ability to function as part of a team. By hiring for a variety of soft skills such as communication, collaboration and problem-solving as well, your construction projects can benefit from increased productivity and improved retention rates.
A smart interview process can ensure sheet metal worker staffing success
The interview process offers deeper insight into your candidates, making it a major step in your sheet metal worker staffing efforts. Asking questions about their skills and experience as well as their long-term goals can give you a better idea of how each tradesperson will perform on the job.
Our team might also recommend asking open-ended questions so you can get a better understanding of each candidate. Here are some of the questions to consider asking your applicants for sheet metal worker jobs.
- What training, certifications or licenses have you completed?
- Can you describe some of the sheet metal installations you’ve worked on in the past?
- Can you share an example of a complex problem you solved on the jobsite?
- How do you stay updated on the latest codes and standards in your trade?
- What steps do you usually take to ensure you and others follow all necessary safety procedures and protocols?
Screen top candidates to confirm their qualifications
Securing the services of qualified sheet metal workers is essential in ensuring a safe and successful project. With this in mind, implementing a thorough screening process can help you identify top-notch candidates. This vetting confirms that the sheet metal workers or any other tradespeople you hire have the skills and experience required to meet your specific project demands.
As part of the screening process, you might also consider reaching out to the candidate’s previous employers for more insight. That way, you can learn more about the quality of their work and their ability to contribute to your team. Ultimately, these efforts can help you feel confident when you hire sheet metal workers and other tradespeople.
Partner with a sheet metal worker staffing agency who can meet your needs
With 78% of respondents in a recent Associated General Contractors study reporting difficulty in hiring sheet metal workers, many construction companies across the country are short on workers for their most critical projects. If your company is among those facing this challenge, you don’t have to go it alone.
Many contractors and subcontractors have seen great results from partnering with a sheet metal staffing agency or construction staffing agency. These agencies have construction staffing experts who can leverage local relationships to source skilled tradespeople from their extensive networks. Their support and expertise can make it easier for you to navigate the hiring market in your area.
Find sheet metal worker staffing services with PeopleReady Skilled Trades
When you have sheet metal worker jobs to fill, reach out to us at PeopleReady Skilled Trades. Our skilled trades staffing experts can help you when you need to hire qualified sheet metal workers, from sheet metal mechanics to roofing sheet metal installers and more. As part of our sheet metal worker staffing services, we complete a thorough screening of each worker so that you always have the best fit for your construction crew.
When you partner with PeopleReady Skilled Trades, you’ll be able to hire sheet metal workers along with a variety of other construction workers and skilled tradespeople. For example:
- Carpenters
- Concrete workers
- Electricians
- Heavy equipment operators (bulldozers, backhoe operators, forklift operators)
- Plumbers
- Pipefitters
- Welders
- And more!
So, whether you need to hire sheet metal workers or have other construction staffing needs, reach out to our skilled trades staffing experts today.
