As a construction manager, if you do not have sufficient workers for your project, you will not be able to complete it on time. Without enough workforce for the work, there will be many delays when delivering the project to its owner. Your productivity goals will be affected adversely, and the project will suffer because construction schedules take longer.
Kanat Sultanbekov– ways to tackle workforce and productivity issues
Kanat Sultanbekov is an esteemed construction manager from New York in the USA, known for his outstanding leadership skills and track record for completing projects in time. He effectively aligns strategic planning, risk assessments, and operational processes with completing his tasks with the optimal safety standards.
According to him, as a project manager, if you do not have sufficient workers to complete a project, your reputation in the industry will also be hampered. Problems with labor shortages are expected today in the construction industry. The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent recession have adversely affected the construction industry. Companies are still struggling to fill labor positions to keep pace with the increasing demands for their current projects.
The sector lost more than one million jobs from February 2020 to March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, it has gained back what it has lost today. The number of construction jobs will be higher in 2022 than before the pandemic of 2020. Though the number of jobs has increased, according to reports by the Job Openings and Labor Turnover Summary under the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 364,000 openings for employment in the construction sector in February 2022.
Filling in vacancies
To meet job demands, many construction companies are filling in vacancies with employees having no or little experience in the construction industry. In his opinion, this is not an alarming trend, but managers should be aware of the additional risks when working with a less experienced team. He adds that these workers will not have the same skills as their professional counterparts, meaning their productivity levels will not be very high. Moreover, it would help to supervise their work closely, especially when they start their tasks.
Safety is another significant risk factor
Safety is another risk factor for your project when working with a less experienced team. They do not have the experience or training to be aware of all the safety or compliance rules on the site. They lack the expertise to identify any hazardous situation on the job site, so as a manager, you must train them on the above. This should be your top priority when recruiting new inexperienced workers for the job.
According to Kanat Sultanbekov, companies should offer them competitive benefits and wages to combat the shortages of construction workers. They should take the onus to develop a strong culture in the company that values workers and rewards them for their dedication and hard work. Companies should keep the above in mind and invest time and money in training recruits to combat labor shortages for their projects today!