Retaining employees in the skilled trades

This report on how to improve recruitment and retention of youth in the construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) shows there is a high level of job satisfaction among workers, but significant challenges still remain. The research was commissioned by the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), with support from the Ontario government. Job Talks, a firm specializing in work-related research, conducted an online survey of 412 skilled trades workers. The primary objective of this study was to explore ideas for improving retention and recruitment of employees in...  [+] Show more

This report on how to improve recruitment and retention of youth in the construction industry in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) shows there is a high level of job satisfaction among workers, but significant challenges still remain. The research was commissioned by the Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), with support from the Ontario government. Job Talks, a firm specializing in work-related research, conducted an online survey of 412 skilled trades workers. The primary objective of this study was to explore ideas for improving retention and recruitment of employees in the residential construction and related infrastructure trades in the GTA. The report aims to: inform those in the industry on what keeps skilled trades workers in their jobs for long periods of time; identify reasons why skilled trade workers leave; and make recommendations to both expand successful retention practices and eliminate or reduce issues which result in or increase industry turnover.

Key findings are that: (1) 73 per cent of workers were influenced by family or friends to enter the construction industry; (2) only 8 per cent of workers were positively influenced by a guidance counsellor; (3) 80 per cent of workers prepared for the job through the help of industry mentors; (4) 65% of workers would strongly recommend their job to a young person; (5) the most satisfied workers tend to be over age 36, are married, and are homeowners; (6) millennials (ages 25 to 35) are the least satisfied group and the most likely to leave the industry; (7) electricians feel less connected to others in the industry than all other categories; (8) designers and planners feel less accomplished in their work than all other categories; (9) 69 per cent of respondents believe that there is a shortage of workers in their field; (10) 96 per cent attribute shortages to stigma and negative parental influence; (11) 88 per cent believe that the trades are seen as too tough and hands-on for most people; and (12) 70 per cent of workers believe that people lack knowledge about the trades.

Edited excerpts from publication.