Tips on ensuring plumber staffing success for your company
According to the Associated General Contractors of America, 85% of construction companies have difficulty recruiting plumbers. Unfortunately, the lack of available candidates can increase the time it takes to hire a plumber while also increasing the risk of project delays.
PeopleReady Skilled Trades is here to help you with our plumber hiring insights. We also share the benefits your company will enjoy when you partner with a staffing agency for your plumber staffing needs.
Trade skills and qualities that plumbers need to succeed
The best plumbers have the right combination of physical, technical and soft skills to help ensure each project is done correctly and on time. Here are some skills that a staffing agency will look for in your plumber candidates.
Physical skills
Endurance: Each day, plumbers face many physical challenges. They climb stairs, bend and twist their bodies, and sometimes work in stressful conditions. This might include outdoors in tough weather, at great heights or in tight spaces. Look for plumbers who are capable of delivering quality work in these environments.
Good vision: Good vision is a vital but often overlooked attribute for plumbers. Keen eyesight can help them work with small tools, identify imperfections and accurately read blueprints and gauges, among other tasks.
Fine motor skills: Recruiting plumbers who are skilled at using their hands and have good motor control will help ensure that materials are properly connected and secured. Having fine motor skills reduces the chances of pipes leaking or breaking.
Technical plumbing skills
Material knowledge: Plumbers deal with different kinds of pipes and employ various methods such as clamping, welding or soldering to join them. In order to maintain a high quality of work, it’s crucial for plumbers to have a deep understanding of the tools and materials they work with.
Equipment proficiency: Plumbers use a variety of tools, including threaders, circular saws and cordless drills. They need to be proficient with this equipment to keep their work up to code and in line with specifications. Plumbers should also inspect their equipment before using it and store it safely.
Math skills: Plumbing requires precise measurements to cut, fit and fasten materials to prevent leaks and damage to the surrounding structure. Strong math skills can also help with ensuring proper flow, drainage or ventilation. Plumbers can take training courses to learn the specific math needed so that they can produce high-quality work.
Soft skills
Teamwork: Teamwork plays a vital role on your jobsite. Plumbers will interact with pipefitters, electricians and other tradespeople on your crew. This collaboration fosters an environment where everyone brings their skills together to complete projects successfully and on time.
Positive attitude: Whether it’s a plumber or any other tradesperson, having a positive attitude contributes to overall team morale. Also, good morale boosts employee health, retention rates and productivity.
Communication skills: Effective communication skills are important to help prevent misunderstandings that could lead to errors. Recruiting plumbers who communicate well will ensure that tasks are completed accurately and any necessary adjustments are implemented.
How a construction staffing agency helps you find plumbers
Construction staffing agencies provide convenient access to plumbers and other tradespeople, plus valuable support. If you’ve never hired workers through a construction staffing agency before, here are some of the advantages you can expect.
Construction industry knowledge and expertise
According to the American Staffing Association, there are about 19,000 staffing agencies in the U.S. However, many of them don’t have experience in construction staffing. With this lack of industry knowledge and expertise, these staffing agencies can slow you down, causing delays in finding the right tradespeople with the skills and experience you need.
So, how do you find the right support? A construction staffing agency has experts who know how to hire for your specific industry. These experts understand who might be right for your projects, which makes finding construction workers like plumbers and other tradespeople much easier.
Time saved on the plumber hiring process
Recruiting plumbers can be time-consuming. You have to post job descriptions on multiple sites, sort through applications, interview top candidates — the list goes on. A staffing agency can free you up to focus on other responsibilities. They provide administrative support every step of the way, handling everything from paperwork to onboarding.
When you tackle the plumber hiring process on your own, there’s no guarantee that the applicants you get will be a good match for the job. On the other hand, an experienced staffing agency can present you with only candidates who meet your qualifications, reducing the risk of not finding the right people for your open roles.
Convenient access to qualified plumbers
While there is a skilled labor shortage, there are still many workers in your area looking to find plumbing jobs and other trade jobs. Thankfully, a staffing agency builds contacts in your local area, including industry associations, trade schools and community groups. With their large network of connections, they can produce great results.
Plus, their established relationships can help identify qualified candidates who may not be actively seeking jobs but are open to opportunities. This can help expand your pool of potential hires even further.
Flexibility in plumber hiring
A flexible staffing plan lets your company hire the right workers right when you need them. Flexibility is good for your project schedules, and it’s just another one of the benefits of partnering with a construction staffing agency. You’ll enjoy more hiring options such as:
- Short-term plumbers: The staffing agency will dispatch plumbers for an agreed upon length of time or until the project is complete.
- Temp-to-hire plumbers: With a temp-to-hire arrangement, both you and the plumber can assess the working arrangement. If it’s a good fit, you may consider offering them a permanent role.
- Long-term plumbers: The decision to hire long-term plumbers is an investment in your future projects. When you secure a dedicated plumbing team, you secure a dependable and consistent workforce.
Reduced hiring risks
Construction staffing agencies understand the risks associated with hiring plumbers or other tradespeople. That’s why they put a thorough screening process in place to carefully evaluate the skills of each plumber before considering them as potential candidates.
Keep in mind that staffing agencies can also offer apprentice plumbers, journeymen plumbers and master plumbers to help you complete a wide range of projects. No matter what your business is working on, staffing agencies can provide the right workers for the job.
Questions to ask a construction staffing agency about plumber staffing
Construction staffing agencies can provide valuable insight and support for both current and upcoming projects. Here are some of the key benefits you can expect.
What sets your staffing agency apart in plumber staffing?
This is a common but very important question. The staffing agency should be able to explain their processes and how they solve specific staffing issues. This can help you determine if their approach benefits your company’s short- and long-term goals. Partnering with a staffing agency can ensure that you have the tradespeople you need for your current and future projects.
What types of plumbers do you provide?
Different plumbing projects may require plumbers with different skillsets and specializations. For instance, some projects might involve residential plumbing, while others might require experience on commercial or industrial projects. By understanding the types of plumbers available, staffing agencies can tailor their services to meet your unique needs.
Here are some examples of the types of plumbers they can provide:
- Commercial plumbers
- Industrial plumbers
- Service plumbers
- Residential plumbers
How do you ensure your plumbers follow safety regulations?
Your staffing agency must recognize the importance of workplace safety. Your ideal agency will have a well-established Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) in place, ensuring the safety of all workers by providing essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). You’ll know the agency takes safety seriously if they go the extra mile by offering certifications for workers, such as the OSHA 10.
Can you help us develop a long-term plumbing staffing plan?
Not every construction company can depend on a single staffing strategy due to different factors at play. These factors include the types of projects a company undertakes and its size and location. Many staffing agencies lack the expertise needed to create customized staffing plans that meet the unique requirements of each company. Fortunately, dedicated plumbing staffing agencies have experts who can work with you to develop a plan that’s tailored to your business needs.
PeopleReady Skilled Trades supports your plumber staffing needs
As a leading construction staffing agency, PeopleReady Skilled Trades offers a wide range of plumbers that serve your industry, including commercial plumbers, industrial plumbers, service plumbers, residential plumbers and more. If you need plumber staffing solutions for your projects, we can work with you to develop a hiring plan that’s customized to meet your company’s specific needs. As a result, you can rest assured that you have the right type of plumber for every project.
We can also help with other construction hiring needs so that you can find construction workers across a variety of trades, including electricians, carpenters, pipefitters, welders and more.
So, if you’re asking, “Where can I hire plumbers?” check out our locations page to get started.
