X-Den, Colorado, 2020
It seems like each day, the headlines read “labor shortage.” It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we work in the U.S. After a period of significant lay-offs at the start of the pandemic, many industries are struggling to hire back workers.
In the construction industry, this shortage is affecting many businesses. Skilled laborers and tradespeople are in high demand, especially as production ramps up. Angi’s Skilled Trades in America Report found that 68% of tradespeople struggled to hire skilled workers, and more than one-third were extremely understaffed. Half of the tradespeople surveyed reported that a lack of workers was stunting their growth.
Despite this labor shortage of skilled tradespeople, job satisfaction remains high among tradespeople at 83%, which is certainly something we see here at UMC, Inc. We are fortunate to have a great team of employees who take pride in their work and are happy with our company. We believe that there are a few reasons for this, such as:
- Our company values: As a family company, we’ve worked hard to develop a culture of accountability and integrity. Our core values guide everything we do as a company and how we treat one another.
- Our commitment to education: We believe that ongoing education and training are essential, especially in our industry. Therefore, we focus on helping our tradespeople receive certifications, complete apprenticeships, and grow their skills. We also focus on individual growth and education by fostering a culture of self-improvement.
- Our projects: We’ve found a great niche in multi-unit commercial construction in the last few years. Many of our projects start from the ground up, giving our team the chance to see a project from beginning to end. This way, our employees learn each part of the construction process. It’s a super exciting thing to see a patch of ground transform into a large functional building. We take pride in the great projects we’ve been a part of and the industry partners we’ve worked with.
At UMC, Inc., employee happiness and engagement with our company are essential to us. Like other businesses, we are not immune to the effects of the labor market, but we are so grateful for our team members and their love of our company. If you are considering a career in the plumbing and HVAC industry, we hope our business (UMC, Inc.) is at the top of your list!
