How to Appeal to Women for Skilled Trade Jobs

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We hear from our clients all the time that skilled laborers are in high demand. Companies in Minnesota and beyond have had difficulty finding enough skilled laborers to fill their positions, positions that will be in high demand for at least the next decade.

While companies are struggling to staff for skilled laborers, a powerful statistic may reveal part of the reason why. While 51 percent of the population is women, only 3 percent of people working in the skilled trades are women. We see this first-hand in the applications we receive and the staffing we do for our industrial clients.

Encouraging more women to enter the skilled trades is a win-win for employers and job seekers. Encouraging more people, in general, to learn a trade boosts the available talent pool. Hiring more women and increasing workforce diversity helps bring a variety of different strengths and viewpoints to the company. Working in skilled trades offers women a steady career with strong wages and development opportunities.

Here are three steps we’ve seen Twin Cities businesses take to encourage more women to join their workforce.

Design a pre-apprenticeship program

A major reason why women aren’t taking skilled labor positions is because they aren’t being trained to do so. Many women simply aren’t introduced to careers in electrical, welding, HVAC and construction. A pre-apprenticeship can help to make that introduction.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a pre-apprenticeship is a program or set of services designed to prepare individuals to enter and succeed in a Registered Apprenticeship program. These are designed to be starting points for underrepresented workers to help prepare them for a successful career. It can help you to identify candidates for the apprenticeship program, and eventually a full-time job.

Promote job security

It takes commitment to learn a trade. Let women know that their training will be worthwhile by promoting the job security in skilled trades. The high demand for skilled workers means that knowledgeable employees will be in-demand for years to come.

Many trade jobs are union jobs, which offers additional workplace protections. Union workers are less likely to experience the pay gaps they might in other industries. Some skilled trades boast equal pay. Even in those that don’t, women still earn a whopping 91 to 96 cents for every dollar that their male counterparts earn on other trades, compared to the average 81 cents per dollar. It’s important to strive for parity, and skilled trades are leading the way.

Partner with an organization

There are plenty of other organizations who share your interest in encouraging more women to enter skilled trades. Labor unions, federal/local/state government and nonprofit organizations are all eager to diversify the workforce. Find out if there are local organizations you can partner with on marketing efforts. For example, the Minneapolis/St. Paul chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction has excellent resources and events.

Hiring more women in skilled trades is good for the economy and good for your business. To learn more about how you can find the best-skilled trade employees for your Minnesota business, contact Award Staffing today.

Improve Your Hiring Process in the New Year

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Many people like to make a New Year’s resolution – they’ll hit the gym more, read one book per week or learn how to cook that great dish. There’s also an opportunity for hiring managers to make some professional resolutions of their own. After helping many managers over the years, we have some thoughts on how you can streamline and improve your hiring process as we welcome 2020.

There are some basic steps that you can take to make sure that your hiring process is firing on all cylinders. These strategies have immediate benefits in the form of smoother recruiting and the retention of your best talent.

Standardize your process

Hiring processes, especially those at smaller organizations, can be all over the place. There might not be a clear process on who is interviewing candidates, how feedback is shared and who needs to be notified of the next steps. This is frustrating for employees and job seekers alike. We recommend standardizing this process so that everyone is on the same page regarding expectations and next steps. A flow chart is a good way to help everyone visualize these ideas.

Harness the power of social media

Social media is a powerful tool across all facets of our lives. Recruiting and hiring are no different. Candidates will research your organization across these mediums and it’s partially up to you to ensure that they like what they see. Interacting with job seekers via blog posts, tweets and postings on other networks will be integral to reaching top candidates for your openings.

Revamp your job postings

Think about your job descriptions that are currently posted. When’s the last time they were refreshed? Have you been posting the same description for the same role for a few years now? Chances are that its outdated, causing some candidates might be skipping right over it. Take the time to look back through your postings and make sure the language is spruced up and appealing to current job hunters.

Show candidates why your company is the best

Job seekers want to see companies putting real thought and effort into finding and retaining key personnel. Your website and hiring process should reflect how seriously your company takes the satisfaction of candidates. Your company benefits should be clearly described on your website, for example, and your hiring team should be prompt in providing feedback on all applications.

Seek outside help

Another option for hiring managers to consider is using an agency for positions that have been difficult to fill. Our team is a professional and detail-oriented group that knows how to draw the best talent for your organization. We deliver the results that dynamic companies need, and we can help you achieve your hiring goals.

Every new year brings an opportunity for individuals and businesses to assess and improve themselves. Your hiring process should be part of this reflection and evaluation. An improved hiring strategy will pay dividends for years to come and help ensure a fruitful and sustainable future for your organization. Contact us today so we can discuss your hiring needs.