Experiencing the Construction Worker Shortage?

Dive deeper into our five solutions for builders who are looking to find skilled tradespeople during a hiring crisis.

February 23, 2021

5 Solutions for Finding Skilled Tradespeople During a Hiring Crisis

While Americans continue to file for unemployment and industries continue to be flattened by the pandemic, the construction industry has had to withstand these challenges as well as some of its own.

According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment report released January 8, construction added 51,000 jobs in December alone. The BLS also reports that overall employment of construction laborers and helpers is projected to grow 5 percent through 2029—faster than the average for all occupations.

For most industries, this would be good news, but for the construction industry, it presents a problem. While there’s an abundance of construction projects and, therefore, construction jobs, finding skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen to fill them is proving difficult. Without these workers, builders can’t take on more projects or, worse yet, any projects. The construction worker shortage also means projects face significant delays, which are expensive to say the least.

So, what’s causing the construction worker shortage? First, there’s that increase in the number of construction projects starting. Also contributing to the shortage is that baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) working in the construction industry are retiring at a record pace. With their level of expertise and experience, their departure leaves a gaping hole. Unfortunately, the number of younger people entering the workforce is smaller—and many of those hold college degrees and have little interest in the skilled trades.

“There’s an impression that construction careers are like a job of last resort, and not a rewarding kind of middle-class career,” Brian Turmail, vice president of strategic initiatives and public affairs at Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), told Bloomberg. “Yet in many respects, they are a lot more rewarding than sitting in some kind of fluorescent-lit cube farm.”

Boosting the number of skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen in the future may require rebranding the entire construction industry. While changing perceptions about the skilled trades will take time, doing so is crucial to alleviate the construction worker shortage—now and in the future.

What Are the Consequences of the Construction Worker Shortage?

For the foreseeable future, the construction worker shortage will continue to challenge companies to find construction workers and skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen.

According to a report released in early February by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, most contractors (83%) continue to report moderate to high levels of difficulty in finding skilled workers. The report also found that 87% of contractors express a moderate to high degree of concern about workers having adequate skill levels, of which 90% say it will stay the same or get worse in the next six months.

This outlook matters because it reinforces the challenges facing companies due to the construction worker shortage. To meet project demand without the proper workforce, they will likely have to force skilled workers to work more, raising costs and potentially leading to worker burnout and possibly even injuries. Projects may be delayed while others could be rejected entirely as companies struggle to meet deadlines. Ultimately, the shortage of skilled tradespeople will lead to lost revenue, too.

Despite this gloomy forecast, the future for construction companies can be brighter as long as the industry works toward finding solutions to the construction worker shortage. With more and more people moving to urban areas, construction projects will continue to grow along with opportunities for skilled tradespeople.

What Can Builders Do to Find Construction Workers?

Stemming the construction worker shortage will take a concerted effort within the industry—and beyond. Here are five steps construction leaders can start taking now to attract skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen:

Outreach: Not long ago, vocational programs like shop classes were commonplace in schools across the United States. But with an emphasis on raising standardized test scores, among other reasons, many schools shifted their focus. In 2021, one would be hard-pressed to find skilled trades being offered alongside their science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) counterparts. Hiring construction workers for the future starts now with outreach to middle and high school students to get them interested in the trades. How will they find out about the lucrative jobs and creative opportunities that await them? Through you. Make an appointment now with your local school district leaders or middle and high school counselors about how best to educate students about the benefits of working in the construction industry.
Mentor: A lot of young people understand the substantial investment it takes to attend college and are worried about the significant amount of debt they will be left with upon graduation. Starting an apprenticeship program or offering internships allows potential employees an inside look at the rewarding career opportunities the construction industry offers. While they gain firsthand experience, you’ll create a pipeline of future skilled tradespeople. Eventually, you won’t need to find construction workers because they will have already found you.
Upskill: Instead of hiring construction workers, look to your current workforce. Do you have helpers, for example, who are doing a great job but lack the skills you need? Invest in upskilling your employees. Reward those who commit to upskilling by increasing their base pay and offering bonuses. Another byproduct of upskilling: You’ll increase employee morale.
Establish an employee referral program: Set up an employee program that incentivizes your current staff to find construction workers and skilled tradespeople. Experienced employees might know other carpenters, solar installers, electricians or have connections with people who work in the skilled trades. Not only will you find the people you need, but it’s a great way to get your employees more involved and, again, boost morale.
Partner with a staffing provider: The day-in-and-day-out operations of a construction company are overwhelming even without the construction worker shortage. To help ease the stress, consider partnering with a staffing provider like PeopleReady Skilled Trades. A staffing provider can take the heavy lifting off your shoulders when it comes to hiring construction workers by connecting you with skilled tradesmen and tradeswomen, from experienced carpenters to plumbers and more. With the help of a staffing provider, you can find the talent you need for short and long-term projects and avoid experiencing costly delays.

Skilled Trade Jobs Are Booming in Pandemic Economy

PeopleReady Skilled Trades analysis finds strong growth in skilled trades over the past year and aims to connect people to in-demand work.

February 18, 2021

TACOMA, Wash.—Feb. 18, 2021—While most job sectors have been hit hard by a pandemic-riddled economy and are seeing slow job growth or none at all, the skilled trades were booming across the nation during the past year. A recent analysis by the skilled trades division of PeopleReady found double- and even triple-digit growth in some skilled trades sectors. And the company is on a mission to connect people with these in-demand jobs.

According to the PeopleReady Skilled Trades’ analysis, demand grew rapidly for many skilled trade jobs starting from the pandemic’s onset in March 2020 through January 2021, including drywall finishers (100%) and tile and stone setters (94%). Other skilled trade areas where job postings have soared during this same period include roofer helpers (24%), glaziers (19%), carpenters (16%), bricklayer helpers (16%), drywall installers (12%), and skilled construction workers (11%). Altogether, PeopleReady Skilled Trades found nearly 400,000 jobs posted in the sector since March 2020.

“The skilled trades don’t just hold strong in an economic downturn—but they are among the rare sectors that continue to experience significant growth in an unpredictable job market,” said Jill Quinn, executive leader of PeopleReady Skilled Trades. “Our mission is to connect tradespeople and work. And, with such a high number of people looking for their next opportunity and so many skilled trades jobs available, this mission has never been more important.”

With construction season just around the corner, the company expects to see an even higher demand for tradespeople in the workforce. According to the analysis, skilled trades job postings have soared in the last 30 days. Those jobs seeing the most postings are:

Drywall finishers (300% increase in last 30 days)
Tile and stone setters (79%)
Boilermakers (78%)
Cement masons and concrete finishers (70%)
Painters for construction and maintenance (69%)
Skilled construction workers (57%)
Steamfitters and pipefitter helpers (55%)

PeopleReady Skilled Trades works throughout the nation to connect customers and tradespeople across a variety of trades. To learn more, visit: skilled.peopleready.com.

About PeopleReady Skilled Trades

PeopleReady Skilled Trades is a specialized division of PeopleReady, a TrueBlue company (NYSE: TBI). Since 1987, the division has connected tradespeople and work across a wide range of trades, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding, solar installations and more. Whether customers need a single tradesperson or require a coordinated effort to dispatch skilled trades workers across multiple projects, PeopleReady Skilled Trades ensures they have the right people with the right tools, on-site and on time. Learn more at skilled.peopleready.com.

Media Contact

David Irwin
Communications Director
dirwin@trueblue.com
630-453-1120

As World of Work Changes, Staffing Leader PeopleReady Announces Brand Refresh with Simple Message: We Are Ready™

PeopleReady has announced a new brand promise, refreshed branding and redesigned websites to complement recently implemented enhancements to its tools to connect people and work faster and more easily than ever before.

February 17, 2021

New ‘Within Reach’ brand promise, ongoing elevation of staffing technologies and delivery models, and enhancements to JobStack® app signal readiness

TACOMA, Wash.—Feb. 17, 2021—For job seekers and companies alike, the past year saw unprecedented changes to business as usual. Staffing leader PeopleReady says many of these changes, such as the increased role of temporary jobs in the workforce, are here to stay—and it is ready to help navigate the change. Today the company announced a new brand promise, refreshed branding and redesigned websites to complement recently implemented enhancements to its tools to connect people and work faster and more easily than ever before.

PeopleReady knows that leading the staffing industry’s continued digital transformation will be crucial to fulfilling tomorrow’s workforce needs. In response, the company is introducing its new “Within Reach” brand promise that underscores its deep commitment to connecting people and work with solutions that meet candidates where they are and enable companies to connect with the quality workforce they need.

PeopleReady’s recently implemented state-of-the-art, centralized sourcing and recruitment engine, combined with a new virtual onboarding experience, puts Work Within Reach™ for more than 90,000 job seekers each month. Continued optimizations of PeopleReady’s award-winning JobStack® app, with enhancements such as a new Apply to Dispatch feature, make it easier than ever to connect people and work. This recently launched feature has reduced the time it takes for candidates to get hired and assigned to a position by 87%, enabling PeopleReady to more quickly connect customers with the workforces they need as part of PeopleReady’s Workforce Within Reach™ brand promise for its customers.

“At PeopleReady, we are deeply committed to the ongoing elevation of our staffing technologies and service delivery model to put work and a workforce within reach. That means helping to make something that can be difficult—whether that’s finding workers or finding work—easier and faster,” said Taryn Owen, president of PeopleReady. “Staffing firms are playing a heightened role in workforce strategies, and we know this will only grow in the future. Our new brand promise, revitalized branding and energized culture speak to our readiness to lead the transformation happening in our industry and to put quality work and a quality workforce within reach. When it comes to connecting people and work, in both today’s climate and tomorrow’s, we are ready.”

As the world of work continues to change, staffing firms will become even more integrated into traditional workforce models and staffing apps will play an increasingly important role.

According to recent PeopleReady research:

85% of hiring managers have increased their usage of staffing apps to find workers.
Over half of companies reported that they’ve relied more on staffing firms during the pandemic.
40% say the future of staffing will include more temporary workers in traditional workforce models.

For over 30 years, PeopleReady has been helping businesses run and helping people find work as it strives to be the most innovative, most accessible and most trusted staffing partner for companies and candidates. The company’s intuitive JobStack app empowers quick connections—providing businesses with immediate access to PeopleReady’s vast and expanding network of ready-to-dispatch temporary staff 24/7 and making connecting with work easy and convenient for job seekers. Whether you’re looking for your next job or need to find workers for your next project, PeopleReady is ready to help.

About PeopleReady

PeopleReady, a TrueBlue company (NYSE: TBI), specializes in quick and reliable on-demand labor and its skilled trades division focuses on providing highly skilled tradespeople. PeopleReady supports a wide range of blue-collar industries, including construction, energy, manufacturing and logistics, waste and recycling, and hospitality. Leveraging its game-changing JobStack platform and 600-plus branch offices across all 50 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, PeopleReady served approximately 98,000 businesses and put approximately 221,000 people to work in 2020. Learn more at www.peopleready.com or www.skilled.peopleready.com.

Media Contact

David Irwin
Communications Director
dirwin@trueblue.com
630-453-1120

3 Tips to Rebound Your Workforce Post-COVID-19

Check out this PeopleReady infographic for three quick tips to rebound your workforce post-COVID-19.

January 4, 2021

Everyone has felt the effects of the pandemic—both personally and professionally. With a way out in sight, businesses will soon be looking to rebound their workforce while maintaining control and profitability.

Check out our infographic below for 3 quick tips from PeopleReady Skilled Trades to rebound your workforce post-COVID-19.

Building Better Mental Health in Construction

Many blue-collar workers pride themselves on being tough, which prevents them from acknowledging their mental health and seeking help.

September 5, 2020

In an industry where mental health issues are particularly acute, construction businesses are under even more pressure to address the challenges of their workforce during these unusual times. Not only are they concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic, but they’re also worried about how to support themselves and their families. They have likely seen loved ones faced with job loss, illness, and even death. They may be wary about coming to work, fearing an increased risk of infection.

Many blue-collar workers pride themselves on being tough, which prevents them from acknowledging their mental health and seeking help. Seasonal unemployment, long hours and exhaustion can also trigger mental health issues. Depression and anxiety often go undiagnosed and untreated, making the construction industry one of the occupations most at risk for suicide.

The suicide rate has surged 40 percent in the U.S. over less than two decades, with blue-collar workers at a significantly higher risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC analyzed suicide rates by industry and occupational groups by gender using data from the 32 states that participated in the 2016 National Violent Death Reporting system.

In 2017, nearly 38,000 people between the ages of 16 and 64 died by suicide in the U.S., according to the CDC. The overall suicide rate rose by 40% from 2000.
The total suicide rate among all men was 27.4 individuals per 100,000 people, but the rate among those in the construction field was 49.4 per 100,000.
For women, the suicide rate for the total population studied was 7.7 per 100,000 individuals. The suicide rate for women in construction, however, was 25.5 per 100,000 individuals—the highest among any profession.

Construction workers are exposed to a number of risks by the nature of their job. Adding in outside health risks may lead to work-related injuries. A study published recently in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that six health risk behaviors were more common in the construction industry, which PeopleReady shares below.

Smoking
Smokeless tobacco use
Binge drinking
No leisure-time physical activity
Not always using a seatbelt
Getting less than seven hours of sleep a day

Why a Contingent Workforce Can Help You Overcome the Blue-Collar Worker Shortage

There have been few successful solutions to the blue-collar worker shortage so far. Here’s why a contingent workforce may be the answer.

September 2, 2020

contingent workforce, blue-collar workforce shortage

The blue-collar worker shortage has long been a problem for the American economy. Despite the attention the issue has received, there have been few successful solutions. The move toward a more contingent workforce is happening now. This shift will lead to greater pressure on businesses to identify and hire contingent workers who can get the job done.

37% of blue-collar-heavy companies reported a measurable adverse impact of the worker shortage on the company’s profitability versus just 9% of white-collar-heavy companies.
—The Conference Board, 2020

The U.S. workforce shortage—especially for blue-collar workers—is expected to continue through at least 2030, according to a study by The Conference Board. Factors driving the blue-collar workforce shortage include:

The baby boomer exodus
Dismal growth in the working-age population
Disappointing recovery in overall labor force participation
Men without a college degree are less likely to work
Large increase in disability rates
More young adults are avoiding trades, pursuing college instead
Young adults are much less likely to be in the labor force

By being open to contingent workers, businesses tap into talent that they might not otherwise gain access to, especially those who may have specific knowledge and training that could be beneficial to their operations. Many businesses are realizing that the quickest and most efficient way to get specialized talent is to hire them as contingent workers. Depending on future needs, these workers can eventually be transitioned into full-time positions.

Offering Greater Flexibility

Flexible working arrangements can also be an asset for a new generation of workers. They may have been recently separated from full-time employment or are reconsidering their career options. People often work on a part-time or temporary basis so that they can pursue other interests or gain experience in their chosen career, with an eye on pursuing a full-time position. The primary reasons temporary workers choose to be temporary workers are:

As a method of finding a regular/permanent job or because I thought it might lead to a regular/permanent position, 49%
Supplemental income while looking for a regular/permanent position, 11%
Supplemental income while not looking for a regular/permanent position, 14%
Learning new skills/get work experience, 13%

Other, 13%

Source: Staffing Industry Analysts

Expanding Business Operations

The current environment has provided businesses of every size and sector ample opportunity to reconsider their roles in the continued economic recovery. Businesses will focus on diversifying in order to mitigate risk: Some of them may be eager to grow their project base; others may be looking into different markets.

If businesses are considering expanding their geographic footprint or service offerings, contingent workers may be a tremendous asset during this important transition. With contingent workers, businesses can find workers with the specialized skills that they need for a particular project, without having to make a long-term commitment.

Staying Agile in Uncertain Times

Businesses are increasingly looking for flexibility and scalability to meet the demands of a rapidly changing economy and to take advantage of new opportunities. As the business landscape continues to change, the makeup of their workforce will need to adjust as well. A temporary workforce allows for flexibility to adjust as needed, accommodating changes in the industry and financial circumstances that businesses will face in the future.

While every business has its own unique needs based on industry, location and other factors, contingent workers can bridge an important gap as leaders map out their plan of action. As we see more people turn to contingent work as they adapt to the current economic climate, having the ability to find workers and in the future is imperative.

In order to find the contingent workers you need, when you need them, a staffing agency can help enormously and keep things moving along smoothly. If you’re looking for a staffing partner to help you, contact PeopleReady today.

Addressing the Workforce Shortage in the Construction Industry

Temporary craftspeople can help with new construction builds, clean-up and sanitizing efforts, maintenance tasks, and other valuable projects so that your business stays on track.

The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the construction industry and caused many businesses to reevaluate the way they conduct projects and how they manage their staff. New safety procedures were implemented on job sites, including proper social distancing and the increased use of personal protective equipment. During this unprecedented experience, businesses are constantly adapting to keep people healthy and projects moving forward.

Workforce Shortages Reaching a Critical Point

That may prove to be an even more daunting challenge given the workforce shortage that has plagued the construction industry for years. In July 2018, there were 7.2 million jobs in construction industry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Through 2026, BLS projects faster-than-average employment growth.

The pandemic has outlined just how valuable the construction industry is to the future of our country. But even now, workforce shortages remain one of the single greatest threats to its success. Eighty percent of contractors have trouble finding talent to fill the craft positions that represent the majority of the industry’s workforce, according to an industry-wide study the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America conducted with Autodesk.

Without a strong workforce, companies are unable to complete projects in a timely fashion. The U.S. has experienced a skilled-trades talent gap accelerated by retirement, staff turnover and a reduced focus on trade education in high school. About half of America’s skilled trade employees are approaching retirement age, according to the Manhattan Institute. And they aren’t being replaced quickly as they are leaving the field: An estimated 2.4 million jobs may be unfilled by 2028.

In a study performed by Marcum’s national Construction Services group:

41% of pre-pandemic respondents chose “securing skilled labor” as the No. 1 threat to their businesses.
67% of post-pandemic respondents projected either the same or higher backlogs.

Staffing Solutions for Your Construction Business

During the Great Recession of 2008–09, construction businesses often furloughed or laid off workers and eliminated apprenticeship programs that would have encouraged long-term careers in the industry. Many current or potential employees left the field and never returned.

Workforce shortages that make construction projects more costly and slower to build run the risk of undermining a business’s success. To combat these workforce shortages, construction businesses can leverage temporary craftspeople to supplement their critical workforce needs as they contemplate their long-term staffing strategy.

Using temporary craftspeople solves three of the most important initiatives for today’s construction businesses:

Meeting deadlines: Especially in a time of unprecedented delays and disruptions, construction businesses that fail to act quickly can be at a disadvantage. Temporary craftspeople make it easy to scale your workforce and add talent on an as-needed basis to improve productivity and get projects done. If the craftsperson turns out to be a good fit, businesses may even consider hiring them on a permanent basis.
Reducing stress: According to the ADP Workforce Vitality Index report, the construction industry has an average turnover rate of 58.4 percent. The main reason why employees leave? Feeling overworked. The problem has been compounded by COVID-19, which has heightened their concerns about health and wellbeing on the jobsite and at home. By supplementing your full-time workforce with temporary craftspeople, your business is better positioned to maintain a safe and healthy working environment while providing permanent crew members the extra help they need.
Performing specialized tasks: In some cases, you may need additional support from those who have specific experience or expertise to complete projects. Temporary craftspeople can bring specialized skill sets that your full-time staff may not be able to provide. Hiring short-term employees who own the training or technical skills you need can fill important gaps in your workforce and help you capitalize on new opportunities.

Temporary craftspeople can help with new construction builds, clean-up and sanitizing efforts, maintenance tasks, and other valuable projects so that your business stays on track—providing some stability in a time of uncertainty.

Construction businesses can reduce the time and costs related to recruiting, screening and hiring new employees by partnering with a staffing agency. For convenient access to a skilled workforce ready to fill open positions and shifts quickly, contact PeopleReady Skilled Trades today.

Building Up Women in Construction

What does today’s landscape look like for women in construction?
Take a look at our infographic:

February 12, 2020

Out of over 10 million construction workers in the United States, less than one million are female—meaning that on the average job site, there is approximately 1 woman to every 10 men.

However, with a much-needed push for diversity and inclusion across all industries, construction hopes it will see more benefits of women stepping into the trade. A recent study by McKinsey shows that companies ranking in the top quartile of executive-board diversity were 35 percent more likely to outperform other companies. Women are making a slow and steady rise in the labor aspect of construction, but see great success as they step into a variety of management roles.

Construction currently has one of the highest job placement rates and starting salaries, making it an ideal career choice for women interested in a job path with upward mobility, job security, and strong financial incentive. Not all women who end up in construction started there, either. Get a Grip Inc. founder, Sharon Dillard, segued into kitchen and bathroom resurfacing after a career in fashion using the same skills that served her in previous roles. Ciara Seger, Project Superintendent for a leading contract and construction company and features in Forbes and Procore, says “There has never been a better time to be a woman in construction.” Plentiful jobs? Well-paying positions? Numerous opportunities for advancement and growth? We’re in agreement.

So what does today’s landscape look like for women in construction?

Take a look at our infographic:

PeopleReady Gets to Work After Major Hurricanes

What are some the times that PeopleReady and our incredible associates have jumped at the opportunity to help during and after natural disasters? Let’s take a look…

August 21, 2019

When a natural disaster hits our communities, we all feel it. Whether near the impact or across the country, you’re bound to see the harm that a natural disaster leaves in its path. From hurricanes to wildfires, you might feel helpless, wondering how you can aid and assist. You’re not alone, but a silver lining is that during each of these times, we’re reminded of the amazing people we work with and how great it is when a company can come together for the greater good.

What are some of the times that PeopleReady and our incredible associates have jumped at the opportunity to help?

When Panama City felt devastation from Hurricane Michael, we saw buildings leveled and thousands of people losing their homes. Groups from surrounding branches—Fort Walton; Tallahassee; Dothan, Alabama; and Pensacola—gathered to make the trip to lend helping hands. The immediate and on-going relief came quickly after the rush of a storm and workers showed up in waves, ready to work together to rebuild.
Upon Hurricane Florence, it was crucial for our branch staff to stay connected with their fellow PeopleReady employees, associates, and customers in the potential impact zone and tracked their safety throughout the storm. Communication and rates were coordinated with our Disaster & Recovery customers preparing for the hurricane and we quickly moved to activate our teams across the country to help get people to work as quickly as possible. We quickly set up customers with our mobile app, JobStack, to share work opportunities and approve associate pay on the go while getting workers paid as quickly as possible with pay cards, rush shipped to the affected areas.
After Puerto Rico and Florida experienced the devastation following Hurricane Irma, our local team along with those in the New South and Mid-South regions moved quickly to reopen our branches and connect people with jobs to begin cleanup and recovery. Ensuring our associates safety was key – as was making sure they had access to work, even during these uncertain times.

As PeopleReady President, Sean Ebner shared about our associates and branch staff, “their safety and well-being and that of their loved ones is the top priority. Everything else is a distant second.” And we continue to stand by that as we prepare for the potential of more storms in the coming seasons. The only thing more powerful than a hurricane is the response to it—and we saw the country unite and “rise to the challenge of rebuilding.” During these times, our resilience was tested—but PeopleReady, from our recruiters to associates to leadership team unified to rise to the challenge and supported one another.

You might be thinking ahead of how you can help your neighbors around the country during these times. You could be planning for what you might do as a resident in one of these areas and what you can plan for. Whichever you relate to, PeopleReady is here to connect great associates with the work they want, the areas that need them, and with companies who will utilize their skills.

How to Staff During a Natural Disaster

Here are some of the actions you can take in preparation for storm season to protect your business and ensure you’re equipped with the tools needed to combat a natural disaster.

June 26, 2019

When a string of unprecedented natural disasters struck last year, from hurricanes to wildfires, the call for helping hands was at a peak. All the way from Virginia to California to Hawaii, disaster response was crucial; even the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) struggled to find the personnel to deploy.

During these hardships, the checklist of items to manage can seem overwhelming—and when staffing your business comes into the mix, it can become even more daunting. Not only are your operations off track, but you’re also concerned about the safety and well-being of your team as you try to move as quickly as possible.

There are actions you can take in preparation for storm season to protect your processes and ensure you’re equipped with the tools needed to combat a natural disaster, protect your team and assets, and quickly react when issues arise. Below are some of the keystone actions to have ready in the event a natural disaster does impact your business.

Employ a Full Team

Your regular staff members may not all be available or accessible at this time, and there simply isn’t much you can do about this. Instead of running understaffed or putting your team at risk, find out how utilizing a staffing partner can help bolster your team during your most crucial times. When your staffing partner operates on a nationwide level, you have access to workers outside of the affected area—meaning your business needs don’t need to suffer due to understaffing. Best case scenario? Use a hiring tool that connects you with thousands of workers 24/7, no matter where you are, such as PeopleReady’s mobile app, JobStack.

Move Quickly

When the demand for help is high, agility is critical. When almost every move is time sensitive, being able to make decisions on the fly makes an enormous difference. You’ll want to have the ability to place orders, outline your specific needs, and accept and review orders wherever you are: you never know where you might need to be at any given time. Whether on your desktop or your mobile phone, you can do everything you need to for your temporary staffing from JobStack, immediately and with instant updates in real time.

Utilize the Right Skills

Not only do you need a team of workers to help get your operations back on track, but you also need workers suited to your specific requirements. Whether you’re searching for a crew of general laborers or a few additional workers with hospitality experience, finding the right worker for your job is easy and quick with JobStack. Looking for an individual with HAZMAT training? You can find them and even request certain people who have worked for you before to return. If someone didn’t meet your expectations for any reason, you’re able to track and rate workers to make sure you only get those who fulfill your needs moving forward.

When you’re able to handle your staffing needs simply and quickly, you’re able to focus on the other aspects of your business where your expertise is needed. Let PeopleReady help you prepare for the times when you need them most and get started with JobStack now.

PeopleReady Skilled Trades is a specialized division of PeopleReady, a TrueBlue company (NYSE: TBI). Since 1987, we have connected tradespeople and work across a wide range of trades, including carpentry, electrical, plumbing, welding, solar installations and more. Whether you need a single tradesperson or require a coordinated effort to dispatch skilled workers across multiple projects, we ensure you have the right people with the right tools, on-site and on time.