The Importance of Upskilling Your Construction Crew

Have you ever considered upskilling your construction crew, but you’re not sure where to start? 

Upskilling is the process of increasing employee capabilities through training and development.

Companies may choose to upskill their workforce on a project basis or in response to changing needs, or may do so proactively in anticipation of future business needs.

Why upskill?

Increasing Productivity

Teams where training and development has been a priority are more productive because they understand more about their work and their contribution to the company as a whole. When team members know how to do the specifics of their job well, and also have an understanding of the systems used in project management, how the manager creates their schedules, how the supply chain works, and other factors impacting their roles, they can make better choices with their time.

Empowered employees are productive employees. Giving team members a real sense of value and investing in their development is a direct way to improve their motivation and productivity. Teams that are more self-sufficient require less back-and-forth with managerial teams, and complete work faster.

Attracting and Retaining Talent

Many prospective and existing employees are motivated by growth opportunities. Committing to training and developing your employees and celebrating that choice publicly can be a great way to show people that you are willing to invest in your talent. Strong team contributors want to have something to show for their experience, whether in the form of certificates, training completion, higher education degrees, or inter-departmental exposure. 

Increasing Competitiveness

Training and developing your current team to face the challenges of the future can mean that your workforce is more agile and able to step up without delay. Having employees cross-trained on different types of responsibilities or prepared to step into a managerial role can mean less downtime when unexpected issues or conflicts arise. The flexibility provided when team members can step into different roles may allow the team to shift to accommodate changing priorities or workloads. Of corse we don’t mean to say that an electrician should cover a concrete mason or vice versa, but cross training and responsibility sharing where possibleis a great tool for competitive teams.

How to upskill?

Identifying Skill Gaps

An effective first step in designing a training and development program is to conduct a gap analysis. This form of assessment takes a snapshot of the what it would take for your team members to gain the skills your company needs.

A gap analysis has three simple steps that are not so easy to complete:

1. Identify what skills you need to have on your team to achieve success.
2. Analyze what skills you have on your team right now.
3. Address the difference between what you have and what you need, and make a plan to close the gap. 

Are you planning on adding to the number of jobs you work on concurrently, and need more people with supervisory potential? Do you see the complexity of work getting more challenging and need more experts in each trade? Are you likely to bid on government contracts and need employees who understand the compliance requirements of this work? Figuring out where you need to be, where you are, and the difference between those two places can help you design your upskilling program. 

Training, training and more training!

The importance of ongoing training in the trades cannot be overstated. The field is constantly changing, with new technologies, regulations, best practices, tools, and equipment. Employers should invest in high quality and consistent training to ensure their employees are exercising their growth mindset and are ready to learn and stay adaptable. Upskilling your construction crew can mean the difference between a future-proof company, and getting left behind.

Job shadowing

Job shadowing is a type of training where employees watch someone from another department do their job for a certain length of time. This type of training can greatly improve collaboration and cross-departmental understanding. Teams who understand each others work can more easily anticipate each others needs and support their goals. Observing other peoples’ work can also help people develop a broader skillset, potentially preventing delays if flexibility is needed on a job site or if a team member needs help.

Cross training

Cross training goes a step further than job shadowing, where team members are taught how to do the work of other roles. This is not always possible in the trades, as some roles require certificates and licenses to perform the work. However, there may be tasks such as helping put away equipment or completing some Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that employees may be trained on to help. Cross training enhances teams’ adaptability to overcome challenges or heavy workloads.

Traditional training

Traditional training may take the form of classroom-style presentations, discussions, workshops, and assignments to strengthen skills. Topics suited for this type of training may include safety procedures, compliance regulations, technical skills, and project management methodologies. Trainings conducted by other employees has the dual function of giving team members the responsibility of teaching their colleagues, which is a great learning and development opportunity in itself.   

Use of SOPs and documentation

Standard operating procedures (SOPs) can be useful tools for encouraging upskilling employees. Folks who want to take on additional tasks can read through documented procedures to understand how materials or equipment should be handled. Employees who are trained on new procedures can rely on written SOPs to retain the knowledge they gained and ensure they are doing everything according to best practices. 

Reimbursement/Support

There may be skills you want your team to gain that are not possessed by anyone at your company. Upskilling your construction crew and learning these skills may require outside courses or certifications. Consider offering tuition reimbursement to employees who seek education that will support their professional development. It may not always be possible to pay for every person’s Master’s degree, so make sure you craft a policy that will support the team’s upskilling while maintaining your company’s best interests. 

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

There are federal resources available to people looking to gain training and education in their desired field. WIOA

Partnering with Trade Schools

Trade schools all over the country are great resources for upskilling talent. Partnering with chosen trade schools can make a meaningful difference in the lives of your employees. Companies who build a relationship with trade schools can have the dual benefit of having workers receive high quality education, while also gaining access to graduating students who may be looking for their next career in the trades. Consider reaching out to your local trade school to learn more about their programs, tuition, and flexible work programs. 

Conclusion

Using multiple types of training and development strategies when upskilling your construction crew can create a well-rounded workforce that is future-ready and motivated to grow with your business. Teaching trades workers about different aspects of the business will result in a more dynamic team who understands the challenges of the jobsite and respond to the project’s needs. 

Looking to build a team that values time as much as craftsmanship? We connect you with hiring opportunities that align with your needs. Register with Trade Scouts today.