For 2023, the phrase, “a good man is hard to find” takes on new meaning, especially for business owners in the hearth services industry seeking growth by adding service technicians. The stark reality is that the available pool of potential service technician hires has been shrinking for some time.
Why is that?
One major factor is the student loan crisis. The student loan debt that recent 4-year college students are saddled with—up to $57,500—is out of balance with starting salaries. The best and brightest of these graduates are pursuing white-collar, salaried positions to afford their crushing loan payments.
Another major catalyst of this issue is that attending trade school in anticipation of a career in a traditional blue-collar setting unfortunately comes with a certain social stigma. Although it requires substantially less time and money, it seems that most high school grads—and their parents—still believe that a 4-year college degree is the only surefire way to enjoy a high-salary lifestyle.
The blowback from Covid-19’s labor upheaval has further diminished the available labor pool for field services positions and jobs in the trades overall. Existing blue-collar workers found that they could replace their working income with several rounds of Federal stimulus checks and increased unemployment and childcare benefits. Many of these workers, already on the back end of their careers, used these emergency provisions as a means to transition into the next phase of their lives. The result? An unprecedented flight of workers from a segment of the workforce that was already struggling to find skilled, qualified, and willing workers.
By the end of 2020, they noticed their white-collar counterparts had returned to salaried jobs and were teleworking comfortably from home. It’s no surprise that, according to the US Census Bureau, between 6.5% and 8.5% of existing blue-collar workers in the construction, transportation, and manufacturing sectors moved to white-collar jobs.
Is this all doom and gloom? No, it just means that as a hearth services business owner, you’ll need to work to find the right people.
Here are a few suggestions that you may or may not already be using in your business:
1. Offer Competitive Compensation and Benefits Packages
Top technicians will likely have multiple job offers to choose from, so it’s important to offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain top talent. This can include things like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. Sometimes it’s hard to justify paying above market value for an employee, but consider this—all it takes is one shoddy fireplace or stove installation to tarnish an otherwise sterling reputation.
2. Provide Ongoing Training and Professional Development Opportunities
Top-quality applicants want to continue to grow and develop their skills, so it’s important to provide ongoing training and opportunities for growth to keep them engaged and motivated. This can include things like in-house training, certifications, and opportunities to attend industry conferences.
3. Create a Positive and Supportive Work Culture
Many hearth services companies are family owned with a rich cultural heritage. Top-quality technicians want to work for a company that values its employees, has a positive work culture, and people who simply “get it.” This can include things like open communication, recognition and rewards for a job well done, and opportunities for growth and advancement.
4. Utilize Employee Referral Programs
Employee referrals are a great way to find top-notch technicians as they are usually recommended by current employees who have a good understanding of the business and the kind of person that would fit in.
5. Partner With Educational Institutions
Partnering with local trade schools and vocational programs can help to attract and recruit recent graduates with the skills and knowledge needed for the job. A solid relationship with a reputable institution could lead to an abundance of worthy candidates sending you their resumés.
6. Foster a Positive Work-Life Balance
Encouraging a positive work-life balance will help attract and retain top-quality people. This can include things like flexible scheduling, remote working (when possible), and extended paternity/maternity leave.
As a business owner in the hearth services industry, chances are you’ve been running your business using the same workflow processes for the past decade or so. QuickBooks, multiple spreadsheets, even—gasp—actual paper in filing cabinets. For 2023, the most powerful tool you have at your disposal is technology. Specifically, integrated business management software built with the unique needs of the hearth services industry in mind.
Integrated business management software is used by companies, large and small, to help run their business more efficiently and productively across the board. A robust enterprise software platform puts you in the best position to hire and retain top field service people.
Here are some ways that business management technology can propel hearth services businesses past their competition:
1. Recruiting and Applicant Tracking
Business management software streamlines the recruiting process by allowing business owners to post job openings online, track applicant information, and schedule interviews. This will make your hiring process more efficient and effective.
a. Leverage Online Platforms
Utilize online services like LinkedIn and Indeed to post job openings and attract qualified candidates. These social media platforms can also help to build a talent pool for future openings.
2. Employee Scheduling
Business management software simplifies scheduling by allowing business owners to create and manage employee schedules, assign tasks and shifts, and track time off requests. This can help to ensure that there are enough technicians available to meet customer demand and keep your hearth business running smoothly.
3. Time Tracking
Business management software helps employers track employee time and attendance, which improves accountability, reduces the risk of time theft, and makes it easier to manage large projects.
4. Performance Tracking
Business management software helps owners track employee performance, set goals, and provide feedback. Ensure that technicians are meeting expectations and help identify areas where they may need additional training or support.
5. Employee Self-Service
Business management software empowers employees by giving them access to schedules, pay stubs, required forms, and other relevant employment information. This serves to reduce the administrative burden on small business owners and increase employee satisfaction.
6. Inventory Management
Business management software can also help to manage inventory, track stock levels, and reorder critical components on time, so field service technicians always have the necessary equipment and hardware to complete their day’s work.
In Conclusion
Because you’re competing for top service technicians from an ever-shrinking pool of qualified candidates, you’ll have to work smarter to attract and retain them. Integrated business management software is a strategic competitive advantage for your business, and gives you a leg up on the market.
