Giving Thanks

The end of the year is a time traditionally reserved for gathering as family and friends, celebrating togetherness and relationships, and ushering in a new year with excitement and joy. People will remember 2020 as a year of interrupted traditions, adjusted plans, and postponed gatherings, all for the sake of protecting the very loved ones we may not get to see. While tensions have been high and general stress and anxiety a daily concern, how we close out this year is ultimately up to us.

Despite difficulties, in the remaining weeks of the year, we can reflect on our many blessings – supportive friendships, socially distanced walks and talks, and valuable technology making it possible to connect with those closest to us via calls and video chats. Most of all, we can be thankful for a light at the end of the tunnel. We have weathered the storm and are emerging stronger than ever.

We must remain hopeful. This will not last forever. If this year has taught us anything, it is that we are both flexible and resilient. We have changed many aspects of our lives to keep ourselves and others healthy. We are vigilant about hand washing and sanitizing, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distancing whether in the workplace or in public. We have proven that we can face an unprecedented challenge head-on and not let it get the better of us.

We close out 2020 proudly, thankful for the acts of bravery and kindness we’ve witnessed. Grateful for our friends and family, we face 2021 with optimism, knowing even in times of difficulty we will persevere. We look forward to working together with you in 2021. Please reach for us at sales@peoplelinkgroup.com.

Game Changer – How Tradespeople Can Find Opportunities in a Post-COVID World

The months of the COVID pandemic may have set your career in the trade industry back due to diminishing opportunities and closures. With more discussions about reopening safely, the opportunity for tradespeople to get back in the game again is here. But, as with everything related to COVID, nothing remains the same. Here are some tips to help you find opportunities in a post-COVID world.

Remember, there are still limitations.

The reopening plans are a step forward; however, nothing is back to how it was before COVID-19. There are safety considerations to implement and risk factors to determine, such as whether specific projects are essential. Because of this, you should manage your expectations during the search process. There are opportunities, but you need to know where to look.

While industries hiring and looking to expand, not all industries have openings. Take time to research the best fields for growth and compare your skills and trade training to what is available. Apply for openings where you are qualified, even if it is an area you have not considered before.

Use your time to the fullest

Capitalize on downtime by taking every opportunity to grow in your field. Take some time to research your specific trade and learn more about innovations and happenings in the field. Practice your trade consistently and even consider online training and certifications to increase your knowledge and help you stand out when applying for new opportunities.

Make the most of your interview.

After you have found a job you are interested in and applied, you will, hopefully, schedule an interview. Interviewing from home may be a strange concept, but there are simple steps to consider in your preparation. First, make sure your setup is in a quiet, distraction-free zone. Set your device on a stable surface and practice using your prospective employer’s preferred software for the call. Test your video, audio, and angle, so you are centered on the screen and can be heard when you answer their call. The rest of the interview preparation process, including attire and research, is the same for a virtual interview as for an in-person interview.

Find the right skilled labor opportunity today!

The staffing services at Trade Management are all about connecting top electricians, carpenters, welders, painters, and more with the right opportunities. Whether the job is large or small, we believe in building relationships and developing a mutually beneficial partnership. Contact us today to begin your partnership!

Post-COVID Safety Tips for Tradesmen

Have you considered your safety procedures for getting back to work? Now that more projects are restarting, tradesmen around the country are returning to worksites. Getting back to work is great but maintaining the proper safety policies is imperative in order to keep your business running and your team healthy. Here are a few safety tips for the worksite.

Stay home if you’re sick

Not coming to work due to illness may be a foreign concept to some, but never has it been more important than now. Make sure your fellow tradesmen on the job understand that it’s not a question, but a directive, as they have has the potential to infect the whole crew. Because people may be hesitant to use their leave, remind them of policies established by the government providing time off for COVID as well as any company-specific time off policies.

Start each shift by screening temperatures.

The first thing your workers should do when arriving on-site is to have their contactless temperature recorded. Establish a maximum temperature and turn away anyone who doesn’t fall under the maximum. With temperature being such a common symptom, you can’t risk an employee bringing their germs around everyone else.

Provide hand sanitizer or handwashing stations

Depending on where you’re working, you may not have access to a full sink, but make sure there is plenty of hand sanitizer and that it is being used. Hang signs with proper procedures and reinforce the necessity to keep surfaces clean.

Decide the necessary PPE.

Your personal protective equipment (PPE) was valuable to you at work long before COVID, but now it serves a dual purpose. Make sure your team is following the physical safety guidelines for the site as well as keeping the proper masks on, especially when social distancing cannot be maintained.

Remind workers about proper respiratory practices

Every sneeze and cough aren’t indications of the virus but can be a contributing factor in spreading the virus. Make sure your team knows to cough and sneeze into their elbows instead of into their hands. While the mask creates a barrier, you don’t want the employee to somehow get germs on their hands and then spread them to surfaces used by others.

What can Trade Management do for you?

We believe in building relationships that include trust and loyalty and delivering quality personnel for today’s construction and skilled trade workforce. Get in touch today to begin building a relationship with us!

 

 

 

5 Ways the Jobsite Has Changed

In the months since the pandemic began, job sites have changed dramatically for tradesmen. Both safety measures and changes in the economy have altered the industry, meaning construction workers are returning to the job to find a much different world than they left. As your sites begin reopening, here are five changes your company may notice and implement.

1. Additional health and safety measures

Additional health and safety measures are a logical change, considering everything that is going on around the world. To keep teams safe, precautions are being taken at job sites to make sure they are clean. Measures may include checking temperatures, sanitizing all equipment, and adjusting shifts to have fewer people on site at the same time. Masks, gloves, and additional hand sanitizing options will also be seen more frequently.

2. Video calls when possible

Project planning meetings with clients and team members will likely remain virtual for some time. As with most industries, anything that can be done remotely is shifting that way, meaning even construction meetings will look different than before. In some situations, virtual tours of sites are also being done.

3. Shift in projects

Project demand will increase by industry and by type of project. Certain project types will likely be in high demand such as converting offices from open concept to traditional as a safety measure. The medical and healthcare industries will likely see an increase in demand for construction projects as well. Even as states begin to reopen, certain businesses remain closed or are not looking to renovate or move until they are beyond the pandemic. Office projects may grow as those with more open concepts need to readjust to meet safety procedures. As people continue to order online versus shopping in person, warehouse and distribution projects are likely to be in demand as well.

4. Offices remaining remote

Even with workers back on site, the office and administrative employees will likely continue to telework. Especially with the goal of keeping people on site low, having these team members at home allows the job to continue with the maximum number of workers possible. Fortunately, technology makes staying connected easier than ever.

5. Increase in project time

Under the current circumstances, projects will take more time. With social distancing in place and both projects and shifts more staggered, the speed of completion will be slowed. Workers will continue to do their best, but the reality is things are different now. Old timelines will need to be updated to reflect current conditions.

What can Trade Management do for you?

Find out today! At Trade Management, we maintain a skilled, permanent workforce, to help our clients increase profit through productivity and reduced hiring costs. You focus on bidding and building; we handle the rest. Contact us today to get the help you need!

 

 

Self-Improvement – Upgrade Your Skillset Today for a Successful Tomorrow

It does not matter where you are in your trade career today – you should always be thinking about tomorrow. This is not about looking for new jobs, rather focusing on self-improvement to upgrade your skillset, so you are ready for whatever comes next. Consider these four reasons to pursue upskilling.

1. Help you stay up to date with the latest trends.

With new techniques being released frequently for your trade, focusing on learning them can help you stay up to date. The way you complete a task may work, but there is value in discovering new ideas and methods to do something, especially if it increases productivity and efficiency.

2. Make you more employable.

Being dedicated to finding and mastering these new skills and techniques makes you highly employable. Not only do you bring the rest of your talents, but you are also showing an employer your dedication to your career and being a top tier professional. It is advantages like this that can give you the edge over your competition.

3. Improve job security

Once you have a job, you can increase the likelihood of keeping it even longer. If your employer knows your passion for self-improvement and sees the results in the skills you bring to work every day, you have a better chance of job security. While nothing is guaranteed in any field or career, building skills is an important step to give you the best chance.

4. Gain perspective

Sometimes doing similar work day after day can make life seem monotonous. It is not that you do not love what you do, just that you are looking for a boost. In learning new skills, your job remains fresh and new every day. Your perspective shifts to thinking about what else there is to master and how you can bring it to your job to improve what you are doing.

Take your skills to a new opportunity with Trade Management today.

We recognize the skills necessary for today’s construction and skilled trade workforce and want to connect you with the right opportunity. Contact us today to find out more about how Trade Management can help your career.

Rebuilding Your Workforce – The Benefit of Hiring Contingent Labor

With new safety procedures required for companies to reopen, it is time to get back to work; however, that might mean rebuilding your current team. When determining how to hire, you must understand the uncertainty surrounding current projects and the potential for plans to change. The solution may be finding workers on a contract basis. Consider these benefits of hiring contingent labor.    

Get the workers you need faster   

You are trying to make wise decisions, but you do not want a long process in making them. After evaluating the scope of the project, you know the tradespeople required and want to onboard them as soon as possible. Typically, this would begin an exhaustive search for permanent hires, but with contingent, you can focus on the skills that matter and recruit workers fast. With the assistance of a staffing agency, you can locate these individuals and get the project started faster.    

Hire for specific skills   

Another benefit of contingent labor is the skill–sets workers bring to the table. You are looking at their specific abilities to do one specific job, or maybe several tasks related to your project. You can focus your search on what you precisely need.    

Opportunity for permanent hire   

You set the terms of how long you need the candidate for, and you can offer a contract-to-hire option if desired. This means you are only looking for a tradesperson for a set amount of time, but there is the potential for a more long-term relationship should the opportunity be there.    

Help from niche staffing agencies   

Previously, the benefit of a faster hire was mentioned, and a staffing agency is the best way to do it. Most agencies focus on an industry to better understand the needs of their clients. When sourcing, they are constantly looking for the top workers who are able to meet a wide variety of needs.  

We can help you with your trade staffing needs 

Trade Management exists for this reason. We know you need time to focus on what makes you profitable: building and bidding, so we take care of the rest. We continually source and screen the quality personnel needed for today’s skilled trade and construction workforce. Want to learn more about how we can help you?  Contact Trade Management today!    

Happy 4th of July!

In observance of the 4th of July, our offices will be closed on Friday, July 3rd. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable time celebrating with family. Happy 4th of July!

Important Update From Our Leadership Regarding the COVID-19 Pandemic

As the spread of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to affect people and businesses around the globe, we feel it is important to update our social media community on our action plan to assist in the recovery process currently underway. While many questions remain unanswered, we want you to know that we are attentive to current information from the government and medical communities. The health and safety of our workers, our employees, and our communities remain our top priority.

We play a critical role in helping our clients remain in operation. Without our contingent workers, our clients companies’ productivity slows down and can lead to long term decreased workforces. We are working diligently to ensure that individuals can continue to work and provide for their families and that our customers can keep their doors open and businesses running. We are also diligently monitoring this from beyond just our own offices and are highly engaged with all of our workers out on assignment, taking extra precautions to keep them safe and healthy.

We are following the steps released by the CDC and WHO to provide optimal cleanliness in our branches including consistent disinfecting of surfaces, door handles, office supplies and anything frequently used by office staff and guests. We are following the social distancing guidelines by operating by appointment only and limiting our staff to only those essential for branch operation and requiring anyone that is sick to stay home. We have also posted steps for proper self-assessment at the entrance to every branch to minimize the risk of spreading the virus.

If you are interested in coming in for an interview to be placed with one of our clients, please contact the office and schedule a time to talk with one of our recruiters. We appreciate your understanding during these difficult times and hope that everyone stays safe and healthy.

Thank you,
Jay Reid, CEO
Tara Burns, COO

A medida que la propagación del nuevo coronavirus (COVID-19) continúa afectando a personas y empresas en todo el mundo, creemos que es importante actualizar nuestra comunidad de redes sociales en nuestro plan de acción para ayudar en el proceso de recuperación actualmente en curso. Si hay muchas preguntas que permanecen sin respuesta, queremos que sepan que estamos atentos a la información actual del gobierno y las comunidades médicas. La salud y la seguridad de nuestros trabajadores, nuestros empleados y nuestras comunidades siguen siendo nuestra principal prioridad.

Desempeñamos un papel fundamental para ayudar a nuestros clientes a permanecer en funcionamiento. Sin nuestros trabajadores contingentes\temporarios, la productividad de las empresas de nuestros clientes se ralentiza y puede conducir a una disminución de la fuerza laboral a largo plazo. Estamos trabajando diligentemente para garantizar que las personas puedan seguir trabajando y mantener a sus familias y que nuestros clientes puedan mantener sus puertas abiertas y las empresas en funcionamiento. También estamos monitoreando esto diligentemente desde más allá de nuestras propias oficinas y estamos muy comprometidos con todos nuestros trabajadores asignados, tomando precauciones adicionales para mantenerlos seguros y saludables.

Estamos siguiendo los pasos publicados por los CDC y la OMS para proporcionar una limpieza óptima en nuestras sucursales, incluida la desinfección constante de superficies, manijas de puertas, suministros de oficina y todo lo que el personal de la oficina y los invitados usan con frecuencia. Estamos siguiendo las pautas de distanciamiento social operando solo con cita previa y limitando a nuestro personal solo a aquellos esenciales para la operación de la sucursal y requiriendo que cualquier persona enferma se quede en casa. También hemos publicado pasos para una autoevaluación adecuada en la entrada de cada sucursal para minimizar el riesgo de propagación del virus.

Si está interesado en venir para una entrevista con uno de nuestros clientes, comuníquese con la oficina y programe un horario para hablar con uno de nuestros reclutadores. Apreciamos su comprensión durante estos tiempos difíciles y esperamos que todos se mantengan seguros y saludables.

Gracias,
Jay Reid, CEO
Tara Burns, COO

TRADE MANAGEMENT WINS CLEARLYRATED’S 2020 BEST OF STAFFING CLIENT AND TALENT AWARDS FOR SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Earned by less than two percent of all staffing agencies in the U.S. and Canada.

SOUTH BEND, IN – FEBRUARY, 2020 – Trade Management, a leading staffing agency announced today that they have won Best of Staffing Client and Talent Awards for providing superior service to their clients and candidates. Presented in partnership with presenting sponsor, CareerBuilder, and gold sponsors Indeed and Glassdoor, ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Award winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients and candidates. On average, clients of winning agencies are 3.3 times more likely to be completely satisfied and candidates who have been placed by winning agencies are 1.7 times more likely to be completely satisfied with the services provided compared to those working with non-winning agencies. Trade Management received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 82.5% of their clients, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 24%. Additionally, Trade Management received the same high scores from 77.1% of their placed job candidates in comparison with the industry average of 45%.

“I am extremely excited to see that the high level of commitment to our clients and talent was reflected in our survey results. For the past 15 years, Trade Management has always strived to be a valued business partner to our clients and talent. This will allow us to continue to grow and strengthen our client and talent relationships going forward. We are truly grateful to receive Best of Staffing Recognition for 2020,” said David Meyer, Division Vice President of Trade Management.

About Trade Management

Trade Management opened in 2005 with a simple yet effective strategy: Focus on finding skilled and dependable employees, and the clients will come. Staying true to that simple philosophy has grown Trade Management from our small, one-man office to a growing business with 10 offices nationwide. We source quality electricians, carpenters, plumbers, millwrights, pipefitters, welders, painters, and a variety of other skilled labor professionals for small and large jobs alike. Trade Management operates as the skilled trades staffing division of the Peoplelink Group, America’s 45th-largest staffing firm and the 20th-largest provider of commercial staffing services in the nation.

About ClearlyRated

Rooted in satisfaction research for professional service firms, ClearlyRated utilizes a Net Promoter Score survey program to help professional service firms measure their service experience, build an online reputation, and differentiate on service quality. Learn more at https://www.clearlyrated.com/solutions/.

About Best of Staffing

ClearlyRated’s Best of Staffing® Award is the only award in the U.S. and Canada that recognizes staffing agencies that have proven superior service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients and job candidates. Award winners are showcased by city and area of expertise on ClearlyRated.com – an online business directory that helps buyers of professional services find service leaders and vet prospective firms – based exclusively on validated client and talent ratings and testimonials.

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Contact
Kyle Green, Director of Marketing
marketing@peoplelinkgroup.com

A printable verison of this press release can be found here.