Meeting the Challenge

Meeting the Challenge

How do we get the skilled workforce we need when we are competing with other trades, colleges, universities, and nonconstruction employers?

We can’t just talk to each other. We have to reach out to millennials, post-millennials, veterans, females, individuals in disadvantaged neighborhoods, school counselors, and more. If we don’t shape our future by communicating, committing, and delivering, it will be shaped for us.

This issue of Partners in Progress again focuses on workforce issues and the programs being implemented to recruit, train, and retain talented individuals, those with a good work ethic, the right aptitude, and enthusiasm. Our cover story is about efforts related to Helmets to HardHats—a program designed to help military service members successfully transition into civilian life through a career in the construction industry—and SMART Heroes—a program that provides sheet metal industry training, free of charge, to enlisted men and women of the United States military prior to discharge.

To help with such workforce efforts, SMACNA and SMART’s International Training Institute has prepared a number of resources to help local areas with recruiting and mobilizing short notice training on specific technologies that allow contractors— and their signatory workforce—to better compete. Check out recruiting videos available on smart-heroes.org/about-us/whatis-sheet-metal. Our article on page 8 describes implementation of a strike force training (SFT) module for installing metal composite material panels. Local 46 JATC Coordinator Mark Miller describes the need for the industry—and training—to be nimble enough to deal with constantly changing technologies.

Don’t miss our discussion about how to keep those trained craftspeople busy no matter the state of the economy by getting off the low-bid treadmill (on page 10). Ronald Coleman, a contracting business consultant, reminds us that becoming reliant on low-bid jobs turns contractors and their signatory workforce into easily-replaceable commodities. He offers tips for standing out in areas that will make it worthwhile for general contractors to pay a premium.

Finally, it’s vital to remember that framing messages the right way is not only important when talking to customers and potential recruits. It is also essential when we talk to each other. Because we are speaking, writing, texting, and calling practically every minute of the day, it’s easy to take communication for granted. When we understand that “how” we communicate is as important as “what” we communicate, we can pave a path that leads to trust, cooperation, an aligned vision, and success for the signatory sheet metal industry. Get details about improving your process starting on page 12.

The 2018 Partners in Progress Conference offered breakout sessions covering the topics in this issue. Presentations and handouts from the conference are available at pinp.org/ conferences/pinp18/schedule.

We’re holding another Partners in Progress Conference in 2020 because we are All In when it comes to signatory sheet metal. We can succeed together—whether the task is recruiting and retention, leadership development, maintaining and increasing market share, embracing collaboration and new technologies, or entering emerging markets. Experience has shown that we cannot be complacent and hope for a good economy or the status quo. As President John F. Kennedy said, “There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction.”

Visit pinp.org to keep up to date and find useful resources available to SMART Locals, SMACNA contractors and chapters, labor-management cooperation trusts and committees, and training centers. Registration is required for full access. It is free but limited to members. •

Share with us on social media or via email (editor@ pinpmagazine.org) what you are doing to meet the recruiting and retention efforts in your area. Find us on Facebook @sheetmetalpartners, and on Twitter and Instagram @smpartners.