Why Do Contractors Need To Acquire Craft Training In 2024?

The global construction industry is going through ups and downs where contractors are the main victims surviving the off-tides. 

With the inclusion of craft training, contractors can prepare themselves and the manpower to cope with the unsettling supply-demand chain of heavy construction equipment while turning the odds in their favor.

It may look odd in the first place due to the unfamiliarity craft training holds, but as per the predicted outcomes, it does serve as a lasting solution for construction contractors and heavy equipment suppliers.

Here are the three main reasons why the integration of craft training by contractors and heavy equipment suppliers has increased up to 41%;

Retention And Recruitment Ease

However, the contractors deal with day-to-day challenges onsite and offsite managing fleet and labor, they consider attracting skilled professionals a daunting task.

Contractors often neglect to retain and recruit employees despite handling project deadlines, budget limitations, and similar challenges.

One of the most overlooked retention methods is to foster an environment that prevails development and acknowledgment.

Craft training is one of the aspects that makes employees heard, understood, and valued.  According to a report following are the reasons how craft training helps contractors retain their manforce;

• They acquire the latest and smartest knowledge to complete their tasks
• It helps in getting promotions, career growth as well as finding new roles
• It boosts their learned skills to a noticeable extent

To sustain the market the contractors need to be competitive and opt for approaches that can boost their productivity.

Craft training equips them with the professionalism and accuracy required to handle heavy construction equipment and challenging construction operations effectively.

From Productivity To Profitability

Equipping heavy construction equipment is a financially challenging task. Contractors need to acquire craft training so that they can increase their productivity which will automatically open doors for lasting profitability.

To meet all consumer needs, conduct operations accurately and safely, and control additional costs, contractors must integrate craft training to elevate employees’ essential skills.

The integration of craft training and employee development programs has observed high-profit rates in Canada and the U.S., resulting in decreased absenteeism and overall business turnover.

Following are the percentages quoted by U.S. contractors after investing 1% of the operational budget on training and educational programs;

Source: quantitive data by construction industry institute in a research report on craft training’s impact on the construction and equipment industry in the U.S. and Canada 

Competitive Jump Ahead

Several clients especially in the North American region are concerned about hiring a company or corporation that has a skilled workforce.

Through craft training, certification, and similar credentials you can serve their needs and retain both your employees and clients by adding an extra layer of safety and confidence.

Craft training will help you quantity your workforce as per their skills and you can distribute the operations as per their expertise to execute error-free operations.

In this way, you can install advanced or used heavy machinery, and train employees with relevant maintenance and preventive care regime.

The significance of craft training increases due to the construction project requirements enacted under the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Development Scheme.

It demands contractors, heavy equipment suppliers/manufacturers, and construction companies to opt for employees holding relevant certifications and apprenticeship experiences.

Therefore, gearing up your inventory won’t be enough to succeed in 2024 if the operator doesn’t know how to maximize the heavy equipment’s usage.

The Final Thoughts

With all the above-mentioned benefits of craft training for the contractors, the employees, and ultimately the clients, the worth of training is noticeably evident.

By the same token, employee management and craft training must become an essential part of the workforce development plan.

Furthermore, integrating a standardized credentialing scheme approved by the industry will help boost labor confidence as well as operations in the long run.

Contractors acquiring these principles will secure a leading place in the growth and talent pool ending up with a skilled workforce to survive 2024 and beyond challenges.