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Looking for help... Skilled trades...
#3160027
07/16/23 06:38 PM
07/16/23 06:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,290
Tucson AZ,
MadMopars
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,290
Tucson AZ,
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We run a commercial HVAC company here in Tucson. We are not your typical HVAC company that only works on the smaller 5-ton and less mini-split kind of company. We work on chillers, boilers, pumps, cooling towers and pretty much all things HVAC from service to replacements to new construction. While there is no shortage of work there is definitely a shortage of skilled workers. This really should be of no surprise to anyone as it has been a topic of discussion with folks like Mike Rowe, Dave Ramsey and others. The question is, when will it improve? I've attempted to find skilled workers for awhile now with no luck. I think at this point anyone that's worth having is happily employed and or at least handsomely paid. In either case, the situation is still such that there is a notable shortage of workers. To dive deeper into this shortage, I'm seeing a generational gap. It appears as though the older skilled folks are retiring out and there is a clear gap in the age of the workforce in these trades. This is probably something we should have seen coming and sadly I think it's only going to get worse. Has anyone found a way around this mess? If so, care to share words of wisdom? At this point, unless I'm missing something in my hiring endeavors, my new plan is to find not so much someone skilled per se but rather someone who is mechanically inclined, has a desire to learn a skilled trade and perhaps most importantly, has integrity. I understand this is still a tall order but if I can find them, I'll be thrilled to teach them everything I know in hopes of doing my part to fix this train wreck. If anybody knows someone that fits the bill send them my way... 
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: MadMopars]
#3160047
07/16/23 07:28 PM
07/16/23 07:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,831
Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,831
Central Florida
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MadMopars I think you are so spot on. And sadly it's not just the skilled trades like you need. I won't go much further because that will get the thread moved.
It sounds like you are very in touch with what's going on and your plan of finding someone hard working, with initiative and integrity is a good plan. Good luck. I know it's very frustrating.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: varunner]
#3160099
07/16/23 09:22 PM
07/16/23 09:22 PM
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,318
Southern Maryland
klunick
master
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master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,318
Southern Maryland
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I don't think it will be tomorrow but I do think this will change. My oldest dropped out of college and is now on the electrician path. I've talked to many younger ladies at work and noticed 2 things. 1). The ladies are doing college but most are doing community college and then on-line for the 4 year degree. Not a lot of people seem to be going off to college and most of these ladies families could afford it. 2). Almost everyone of these ladies are dating a guy that is either heading towards HVAC/Electrician/plumber/ or elevators. 6 ladies and not one is dating a guy in college. This is the Wash DC area(relatively speaking) but seems to me the younger gen is opting out of the path I took. As I told my son, you finish up and get your journeyman cert, another couple of years you can get your masters cert and in this area pull down 150k.
67 Barracuda FB
69 Superbee
"Southern Maryland: If you want a good looking woman, you had better bring her with you"
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: klunick]
#3160125
07/16/23 10:38 PM
07/16/23 10:38 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,678
Fresno, CA
Jim_Lusk
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 18,678
Fresno, CA
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What you're looking for is somebody like my son (yeah, he's already got a job). He has built/resurrected a few cars, has a math degree, played college baseball, and is married (yeah, you can't ask that, but...). With those skills at a time he needed a job, he went to work for a pump company (sewer type). He got the job through a guy he played beer league baseball with not because of any of his qualifications that you would find on his resume. His boss knew he had the aptitude, BUT the personal relationship is what counted. It wasn't the ideal job (too many family members of his boss also working there). His current job was based on the success he had at the previous job. He is now working on irrigation pumps and controls. His boss asked him where he learned to work on the controls. He told him it was on the job.
So, look for aptitude and attitude. Ask about outside interests and accomplishments. Also, understand that for every person like my son (who is now 37) you will encounter 50 who won't perform at a high level, maybe more. Being c0ommercial HVAC, try to read physical condition (read college athlete). A high level math and science former student also has the ability to learn.
Hiring has always been a crap shoot, but learning to read people will help.
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: MadMopars]
#3160142
07/16/23 11:27 PM
07/16/23 11:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 403
IL us
ink
mopar
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mopar
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 403
IL us
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We run a commercial HVAC company here in Tucson. We are not your typical HVAC company that only works on the smaller 5-ton and less mini-split kind of company. We work on chillers, boilers, pumps, cooling towers and pretty much all things HVAC from service to replacements to new construction. While there is no shortage of work there is definitely a shortage of skilled workers. This really should be of no surprise to anyone as it has been a topic of discussion with folks like Mike Rowe, Dave Ramsey and others. The question is, when will it improve? I've attempted to find skilled workers for awhile now with no luck. I think at this point anyone that's worth having is happily employed and or at least handsomely paid. In either case, the situation is still such that there is a notable shortage of workers. To dive deeper into this shortage, I'm seeing a generational gap. It appears as though the older skilled folks are retiring out and there is a clear gap in the age of the workforce in these trades. This is probably something we should have seen coming and sadly I think it's only going to get worse.
Has anyone found a way around this mess? If so, care to share words of wisdom?
At this point, unless I'm missing something in my hiring endeavors, my new plan is to find not so much someone skilled per se but rather someone who is mechanically inclined, has a desire to learn a skilled trade and perhaps most importantly, has integrity. I understand this is still a tall order but if I can find them, I'll be thrilled to teach them everything I know in hopes of doing my part to fix this train wreck. If anybody knows someone that fits the bill send them my way... : up: took me 3 years to find someone that would do the Boiler whatever whatever for the heat in my pole building. I did the concrete and put in six 200-foot zones but really all one big shop, so I won't be separating any. I had to call 6? maybe 8 companies each year and they would come and look at it and I would never hear from them again?? I just had a guy come a few weeks ago and said he will do it?? 9 thousand dollars and he only live 10 miles away. seems like a lot??? I dropped off 6k last week. now I wait >
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: MadMopars]
#3160144
07/17/23 12:11 AM
07/17/23 12:11 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,042
N.W. Florida
Fat_Mike
master
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master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,042
N.W. Florida
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We run a commercial HVAC company here in Tucson. We are not your typical HVAC company that only works on the smaller 5-ton and less mini-split kind of company. We work on chillers, boilers, pumps, cooling towers and pretty much all things HVAC from service to replacements to new construction. While there is no shortage of work there is definitely a shortage of skilled workers. This really should be of no surprise to anyone as it has been a topic of discussion with folks like Mike Rowe, Dave Ramsey and others. The question is, when will it improve? I've attempted to find skilled workers for awhile now with no luck. I think at this point anyone that's worth having is happily employed and or at least handsomely paid. In either case, the situation is still such that there is a notable shortage of workers. To dive deeper into this shortage, I'm seeing a generational gap. It appears as though the older skilled folks are retiring out and there is a clear gap in the age of the workforce in these trades. This is probably something we should have seen coming and sadly I think it's only going to get worse. Has anyone found a way around this mess? If so, care to share words of wisdom? At this point, unless I'm missing something in my hiring endeavors, my new plan is to find not so much someone skilled per se but rather someone who is mechanically inclined, has a desire to learn a skilled trade and perhaps most importantly, has integrity. I understand this is still a tall order but if I can find them, I'll be thrilled to teach them everything I know in hopes of doing my part to fix this train wreck. If anybody knows someone that fits the bill send them my way... IMO you're going to have "grow your own." That means you need to maintain your seasoned guys, and pay them a little extra to bring up their (eventual) successors. Always keep in mind that employee turnover is just business. If you can't keep employees, ask those that quit "why." Have frank, cordial, open-minded departure interviews if they're willing to do so. The bottom line is that you need to figure out what it takes to KEEP people. 
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: poorboy]
#3160161
07/17/23 06:01 AM
07/17/23 06:01 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,076
Berlin, N.J.
abodyjoe
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 11,076
Berlin, N.J.
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Everyone wants to hire already skilled tradesmen, but no one wants to train them. The employers expect the guy to walk in and do the job, and is willing to pay them as little as possible to get the guys to work for their company. BINGO... find a good young person. plenty out there and teach them..
It's better to keep your mouth shut and give the impression that you're stupid than to open it and remove all doubt. www.MoparMisfits.com
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: Droop69]
#3160176
07/17/23 08:36 AM
07/17/23 08:36 AM
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,228
nowhere
Sniper
master
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master
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,228
nowhere
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Good luck in your search, as you know not a lot of the younger generation are looking to get into the trades. My son just graduated, he's going into trades. Want to work on cars, lol. Told him that was a tough way to make a living with book rate and all. He thought about being an electrician, we talked about getting into the union apprenticeship program. We'll see which way he jumps. To the OP, you better find a young guy to train up before all your old hands retire off and you have no institutional experience anymore.
The employers expect the guy to walk in and do the job, and is willing to pay them as little as possible to get the guys to work for their company.
There's a no shitter. Been made many offers, none worth me changing where I work for.
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: MadMopars]
#3160247
07/17/23 01:10 PM
07/17/23 01:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,251
Slidell, LA
Ronnman
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,251
Slidell, LA
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One way that a local independent HVAC contractor for (large and small chillers, commercial…etc.) was able to build their business and retain employees, was to make them part owners of the business. Basically, give them the opportunity to buy a percentage of the business. This company, I referenced, provided service and parts for (Carrier, Daikin/McQuay, Trane, York) chillers. Many times they could provide the manufacturers’ parts cheaper than the local manufacturers reps. The small HVAC owner told me they just didn’t ridiculously mark up the parts. I did business with them for 20+ years untill I retired from Facilities O&M at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. At the NASA Site, they worked on chillers which were 210 to 2,500 tons. Being this was a government facility, the lowest qualified vendor would get the job. They were not always the lowest bidder, but performed well when they won the job.
The HVAC company also built up a contingent of rental HVAC, Chillers and small cooling towers.
The owner told me they transitioned to a employee owned business over several years. He stated that the employees were more motivated to work harder, generate greater profits and were more conscientious regarding the overall operation. Obviously, because they had a stake in the profits. They trained their employees and offered classroom training to outside people as well.
Ron
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: MadMopars]
#3160291
07/17/23 02:24 PM
07/17/23 02:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,127
Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,127
Bend,OR USA
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Finding good help in a economy that is booming is hard, I agree on you looking for good candidates that want to learn a good trade by starting them at the bottom of the wage scale and having a good program for teaching them the trade. The key to keeping them is good communications and well plan active learning process and promoting them up the wage scales as they become more productive   I started a beginning apprentice lineman for a small telephone company in 1964, they had a 6 year wage promotion and training plan that taught me the trade and ended up with me getting into management and eventually a district manger, I took business management course at several different Jr. college in SO CA, we move when I quit General Telephone and went to work for better company in another part of the Mojave desert 70 miles away  I have been involved in hiring new hires at the journeyman level as well as the beginning apprentice level. Is your company a union company or not? The reason I'm asking is some of the trade unions have a mandatory training program for beginning workers like the Iron Workers and power lineman that I.B.E.W. has. I.B.E.W. was the unnion I was hire in which later became the CWA union when General telephone change our small company name that they had bought to become part of General Telephone Company of CA. Good luck, have you advertised in some of the bigger city back east on the internet and local media companies If not maybe that would help
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#3160300
07/17/23 03:01 PM
07/17/23 03:01 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34,880
S.E. South Dakota !
bigdad
Still Posting A Lot
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Still Posting A Lot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34,880
S.E. South Dakota !
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This particular area near us / me .. you just can't find help , if you do .. they come to work maybe 1-2 months and by then someone has offered them more and they leave
I use every source I can find to hire people , pickens are sllim I hire help knowing they will only last 60-70- days and keep looking , it is a pain
The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.Proverbs 18:6
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: tboomer]
#3160348
07/17/23 06:42 PM
07/17/23 06:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,172
Nor here, Nor there
Dart 500
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1,172
Nor here, Nor there
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If you have a local college around there I'd put that very same posting (or similar) on the bulletin board, lots of kids go to college and realize they want to do something else and if you're willing to train I bet your phone rings off the hook, college also cuts out the druggies and drunks, or most of them. Think outside the box.
Last edited by Dart 500; 07/17/23 06:42 PM.
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: Dart 500]
#3160391
07/17/23 08:49 PM
07/17/23 08:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,831
Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,831
Central Florida
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The o/p doesn't expect to pay as little as possible. And I don't see what's wrong with LOOKING for people with experience, especially when you have a good company.
There are some young people willing to learn for sure, but plenty? I don't think so.
Interviewing people now, you can usually tell within a few minutes if they are a fit. The video game and cell phone dumb ones can't carry a conversation.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Looking for help... Skilled trades...
[Re: larrymopar360]
#3160446
07/18/23 07:32 AM
07/18/23 07:32 AM
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,684
Des Moines IA
Soopernaut
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,684
Des Moines IA
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Where do you advertise?
I've been hearing about a severe worker shortage for years, but rarely ever see these openings posted anywhere. I'm not really an active job seeker, but occasionally look, so maybe I'm missing them. I could be looking in the wrong places. It seems that you have to look at a company's website for many positions, but someone would have to know the company before looking.
1970 Dodge d100/eventually going on a 77 D100 frame
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We'll see. 
