In summary:
- Recruitment agencies support companies in the fight against the shortage of skilled workers
- With Riverstate you can find skilled professionals willing to change jobs to strengthen your company
- Our recruiters benefit from an extensive network in the construction industry
Would you like personalized advice from our experienced recruiters? Enquire now!
Construction is booming, and many see the construction industry as Germany’s flagship sector. However, the future viability of this sector remains to be seen – as the list of challenges is long: In addition to material shortages and a lagging digital transformation, the shortage of skilled workers is a growing issue. This is why more and more construction companies are turning to recruitment agencies.
A recruitment agency specializing in construction can be an important component in the fight against staff shortages, especially for medium-sized construction companies. Read this article to learn how serious the problem is today and how a recruitment agency can simplify the search for qualified specialists and managers.
Skilled labor shortage in construction: The situation today
We certainly don’t need to tell you that construction companies are desperately searching for suitable candidates. But what is the situation across Germany? The Construction Industry Association describes personnel capacities as “tight”: For example, the number of new apprentices (13,560 in 2021) each year is significantly lower than the number of construction workers retiring (approximately 14,000 in 2021). Labor reserves are also limited: For example, the number of vacancies among civil engineers has exceeded the number of unemployed for many years.
According to figures from the IG Bau trade union, the number of vacancies has quadrupled in the last decade – from 52,000 in 2010 to 191,999 in the first quarter of 2022. A comparison with the economy as a whole shows how dramatic this development is: there, the number of vacancies has “only” doubled.
Why the staff shortage in construction is so serious
But why is it that the shortage of skilled workers has an even greater impact on the construction industry than on other sectors? The reasons are manifold. Demographic trends are one example: When the birth rate declines, fewer potential skilled workers come along. In addition, work in construction often involves physically demanding tasks. Compared to other sectors, employees often retire earlier. The equation is simple: More and more older construction site specialists are retiring, and fewer and fewer young talents are filling the gaps. The result: a staff shortage.
However, employers shouldn’t throw up their hands and view the staff shortage as an unsolvable demographic problem: According to Carsten Burckhardt, federal board member of the IG Bau trade union, some of the problems are also home-made: Many construction companies have simply failed to make their jobs more attractive. Therefore, many skilled tradespeople prefer to switch to industrial jobs, where working conditions are better and working hours are more family-friendly.
So there are a few things construction companies can do to improve their performance. One of them is recruiting.
Reach candidates willing to change
Are you currently limiting your search for a new construction manager to advertisements in job portals or newspapers? Then you’ll only reach candidates who are actively looking for a new construction manager position. German employees are more willing to change jobs than ever before because they’re dissatisfied with their current jobs.
With Riverstate’s direct recruitment service, you will find the best candidates on the market, whether they are currently looking or not.
The solution: Innovative recruiting for your construction site
When there are fewer skilled workers on the market, those who do become more selective. As an employer, you also have to convince them of your qualities – previously, it was mostly the other way around. With a good recruitment agency specializing in the construction industry on your side, this persuasion becomes much easier. But there are also many things you can do yourself to improve your chances.
We have compiled a few principles of modern recruiting strategies for you and reveal how Riverstate can help you with recruitment:
Convince candidates willing to change jobs with direct contact.
The good old newspaper ad is far from obsolete, but you shouldn’t rely on it exclusively anymore. The same applies to online job postings: All of these ads only attract talented individuals who are actively looking for a new position.
And that leaves you with many potential candidates: skilled professionals willing to change careers who are happy to be persuaded by the right job opportunity. To reach these talented individuals, you need to actively approach them. This is also known as active sourcing or direct contact. This is where recruitment comes in.
And why Riverstate?
With Riverstate’s direct recruitment services, you cover both the active and passive applicant markets. We’ll connect you with candidates who would otherwise never have heard of your construction company and bring the necessary sensitivity to convince them of your qualities as an employer.
Multiply your reach on social media.
Recruitment is all about one thing: reach, reach, reach. The further you can cast your line, the more likely you are to catch someone. When it comes to reach, social networks are unbeatable these days: On Facebook, LinkedIn, and other platforms, the best talent from Germany and around the world is just a few clicks away. However, identifying them and reaching them correctly requires a considerable amount of social media expertise. This is where a good recruitment agency can help.
And why Riverstate?
Every social network plays by its own rules. We know them all. With Riverstate’s social media recruiting, you can launch professional social media campaigns that are guaranteed to attract suitable candidates for your open position. By targeting the right audiences, we don’t waste time on unsuitable applicants, but instead only reach out to talented individuals who are truly a perfect fit for your company.
Look for construction talent abroad, too
. Germany’s construction sites are becoming increasingly international: From 2009 to 2021, the proportion of employees with foreign passports at German construction companies rose from 8% to 22%. Especially in other European countries, there are many well-trained talents willing to relocate their careers to Germany. You should seize this opportunity – and here, too, a good recruitment agency is worth its weight in gold.
And why Riverstate?
Recruiting is difficult enough. When it comes to crossing German borders, medium-sized companies in particular can quickly reach their limits. Riverstate’s EU recruiting is designed precisely for these companies: We promote your position across the EU and take care of all the legal, linguistic, and organizational hurdles that arise when hiring skilled workers from abroad.
