The Skillwork Forum

<p>The Skillwork Forum podcast exists to help companies overcome the skilled labor shortage in the United States. Hosted by Brett Elliott (Skillwork CEO) and Tim Raglin (Skillwork COO), podcast topics include skilled trades staffing, business management, industry trends, leadership, current events, and more. Our target audience is made up of skilled trades business leaders who desire strategic and tactical advice for navigating the current workplace and economy.</p>

2022 Trends for skilled labor (Part 2) - FULL EPISODE

What industry trends do you have your eye on for 2022? šŸ‘€ We’re expecting to see similar trends from the past two years in 2022, but many of them will accelerate significantly in the coming months. It’s critical to be prepared as a business leader or skilled worker so you can meet the challenge head-on šŸ’ŖšŸ½ In our last episode, Tim and Brett talked about the first four trends businesses and skilled workers need to be watching as we go into 2022. šŸ“ˆ In this episode, they discuss the other four trends to look out for in the coming year: āš™ļø The Fourth Industrial Revolution āš™ļø Rising costs of raw materials and inflation āš™ļø Supply chain backlog āš™ļø Infrastructure bill pressures If you’re a business owner or skilled worker, this episode is for you. If you missed the first episode of the series, ā€œ2022 Trends for Skilled Laborā€, check that out first šŸ‘šŸ¼ You’ll learn not only the trends you need be on the lookout for, but how you can make the challenges into opportunities. Main Takeaways: šŸ›  Automation’s benefits also present a skilled worker problem šŸ›  Ways to upskill your current workers to position them for the future šŸ›  Inflation’s effect on wages and cost of raw materials šŸ›  Supply chain backlog and worker shortage are creating a strain on supply and demand šŸ›  New infrastructure bill created new challenges and opportunities Timecodes: ā° 00:00-06:51 | Impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on American industries ā° 06:51-13:29 | The increased need to upskill skilled workers ā° 13:29-19:50 | Inflation impacting the cost of goods and raw materials ā° 19:50-28:40 | Supply chain backlog affects skilled workers ā° 28:40-35:31 | New infrastructure bill will impact supply and demand pressures ā° 35:31-38:49 | Eight trends to watch going into 2022 Quotes: šŸ’¬ ā€œGreater technology drives higher skills, higher wages, and fewer candidates out there—so in solving one problem you've introduced another one.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œWe're going to have to spend millions of dollars on automation, but if we can't find the automation technicians and the skilled guys to keep this equipment running, it's going to be a big problem.ā€ - Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€œUpskilling is taking somebody who's an electrician, and take those basic skills that they understand and train them to a higher level.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œFor the business owner, the person who's out there trying to keep staff up and running—you need to be looking for opportunities to upskill your current employees that have aptitude.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œUpskilling is crucial—it's going to be crucial to meet the demand of this automated world we're living in.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œInflation and costs are going to absolutely exacerbate your skilled trade issue because you're going to have to pay higher wages to keep those people.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œWe thrive on challenges. Every challenge brings an opportunity.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œAs leaders, we don't shy away from challenges and we don't ignore them—we take them on and we look for them to be opportunities.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œLet your competitors sit in the corner and whimper. You’ve got to figure out how you are going to be successful in this environment and the opportunity is going to be off the charts if you can find the talent.ā€ - Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€œGetting creative includes non-traditional ways of hiring and adding staff, which a company like Skillwork can help you do.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œIf there's anything that we see in these 2022 trends is that the pressure to find the skilled talent is just going to increase.ā€ - Brett Elliott ————————————————- Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com

12-13
38:48

2022 Trends for skilled labor (Part 1) - FULL EPISODE

Are you aware of the skilled labor trends for 2022? šŸ“‰ We’re expecting to see similar trends from the past two years in 2022, but many of them will accelerate significantly in the coming months. It’s critical to be prepared as a business leader or skilled worker so you can meet the challenge head-on šŸ’ŖšŸ½ In our most recent episode, Tim Raglin and Brett Elliott chat about the eight largest factors and trends that will continue to affect the skilled trades, such as: āš™ļø Labor Shortages āš™ļø Baby Boomer Exodus āš™ļø Workplace Flexibility āš™ļø Replacement These are just a few of the challenges industries across the United States have been facing and will continue to face in the coming year. However, we’re confident that being aware of these issues can help businesses and workers plan to be successful in 2022 šŸ‘šŸ¼ Main Takeaways: šŸ›  Upcoming trends will impact the skilled trades šŸ›  Skilled labor shortage is affecting and will continue to affect many industries šŸ›  Businesses need to be aware of the ā€œbaby boomer exodusā€ šŸ›  Workplace flexibility is in high demand šŸ›  How ā€œreplacementā€ will affect your business Timecodes: ā° 00:00-03:34 | What trends are the skilled labor industries facing today? ā° 03:34-12:35 | Skilled labor shortage will continue and accelerate ā° 12:35-17:47 | How can companies deal with the retiring baby boomers? ā° 17:47- 23:23 | Start to think about workplace flexibility for your workers ā° 23:23-32:21 | Replacement has become a huge factor in labor shortages ā° 32:21-34:26 | Skilled workers are what keep America running Quotes: šŸ’¬ ā€œIf you're a skilled worker, it's the golden age for skilled labor.ā€ - Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€It's going to take a change in mindset to be able to address this labor shortage, because it's going to continue to put stress on your current workforce.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œSo your 5 to 10 year strategic planning? That just got moved up to, you know, like today. You've got to take care of today.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œIn our rush to try to acquire new talent, younger talent, and replacement talent, there's a tendency to forget those guys that are out there doing it, and have been doing it for a long time.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œAnd so obviously, you have to start thinking differently as to how you're going to attract the talent.ā€ - Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€œStaying in the current paradigm that you are with your workforce is going to guarantee you that you're going to struggle a lot more against your competitors that are more forward-leaning for the workforce. It's just guaranteed. It's supply and demand. And you're going to have to rethink a lot of your strategy.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œMost economists that look into the workforce and labor trends have said that replacement will outpace growth and attrition as the drive for labor increases in the coming decade.ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œPeople are leaving jobs at record numbers, partially because they can. Unfortunately, there's not as much loyalty to stay in one location.ā€ - Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€œBe aware that you're continually recruiting your current staff and think: what do I need to do to recruit them to stay?ā€ - Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œThe fact is, there's more leaving than there is coming behind them, and you’d better be figuring out how you're going to attract the ones you need.ā€ - Brett Elliott ————————————————- Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website: www.skillwork.com - Skillwork’s LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website: rveal.media - Rveal’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia/ - Rveal’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

11-30
34:24

The Great Candidate Shortage

The Skillwork Forum The Great Candidate Shortage Episode 34 ā€œWhere are all the skilled workers?ā€ We hear this often—they’re hard to find these days. The pandemic shined light on worker shortages across all sectors. While the hospitality and light manufacturing industries were hit the hardest, we expect to see a quick recovery as things continue to open back up. The trades face a different problem: there was already a shortage of over a million workers going into 2020. Pandemic closures and economic impacts only made it worse—and unlike other industries, recovery won’t be so quick. If you’re a business who’s having significant troubles finding skilled tradesmen, don’t lose hope: you can still find skilled workers. Main Takeaways: šŸ›  The skilled trade shortage was around before COVID and will continue after šŸ›  COVID didn’t create a bigger skilled worker shortage…only accelerated it šŸ›  Many people haven’t yet returned to work for a variety of reasons šŸ›  Baby boomers are retiring early which only makes the shortage more acute šŸ›  Possible solution: partner with a travel staffing company to find workers Timecodes: ā° 0:00-4:02 | An extreme labor shortage that we’ve never seen before ā° 4:03-10:37 | How COVID plays into the shortage…and how it doesn’t ā° 10:38-15:10 | COVID going away will not solve the skilled trade challenges ā° 15:11-17:54 | Retiring baby boomers are taking their expertise with them ā° 17:55-22:06 | Fourth Industrial Revolution changing skills required for workers ā° 22:07-25:26 | The trade gap is our generation’s great challenge ā° 25:27-27:33 | Have a plan to solve your staffing problems? Quotes: šŸ’¬ ā€œIn conversations with many of our clients…the shortage is the worst they’ve seen in their careers.ā€ Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œThere are some things that were existing prior to COVID. It’s not all COVID. And it’s not all going to go away as we rebound from COVID.ā€ Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œAt least half the states are now ending [extended unemployment] benefits, which whether you agree with it or not, is going to require people to go back out into the workforce.ā€ Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€œYou can’t keep the businesses running if you don’t have the individualsā€ Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€œGod created us to work, and I think we feel better about ourselves when we’re working, as long as it’s safe to do so.ā€ Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€œThere is a huge pool of available workers out there, we just need to continue to look for opportunities to get them back in the workforce.ā€ Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œIt’s well-documented that prior to 2020, the shortage was over a million workers.ā€ Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€œMath is math, and the math shows that the number of baby boomers that are going to leave the workforce over the next five years is more than the people coming behind it.ā€ Brett Elliott šŸ’¬ ā€œSome of the more experienced baby boomers are reluctant to go get that advanced education and training.ā€ Tim Raglin šŸ’¬ ā€œIt looks like there is more focus and emphasis on pursuing skilled trades as a career path for the next generation.ā€ Tim Raglin ————————————————- Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw - 8 Trends for Skilled Labor in 2022 https://resources.skillwork.com/8-trends-for-skilled-labor-in-2022 Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbb

08-03
27:32

Top 4 Reasons Employers Can’t Find Skilled Labor

šŸ†˜ā€œWhy can’t I find skilled workers?ā€šŸ†˜ We hear this question a lot. It’s no secret that the skilled trades are experiencing a staffing crisis. The nationwide shortage is currently over 1 million skilled laborers, and that number is going to double to 2 million by 2025 (if not sooner). Unfortunately, the pandemic in 2020 only accelerated that timeline. While there are a wide variety of things contributing to the skilled labor shortage, we chose 4 of the biggest challenges to discuss in this episode, along with some solutions. šŸ‘šŸ¼ Main Takeaways āœ… Increased demand and dwindling supply are worsening the skilled labor shortage. āœ… Many companies are ā€œbringing a sword to a gunfightā€ā€”using outdated hiring methods and not seeing results. āœ… Rapidly evolving skill levels and expertise make it even harder to find workers. āœ… Skilled workers are frustrated with the stagnation or lagging rise in their wages. āœ… There’s hope: while the next 3-5 years will be a challenge, we see opportunity. Timecodes ā° 00:00-05:20 | Overview of the skilled trade shortage—it’s not going anywhere in 2021 ā° 05:21-06:39 | Falling productivity increases demand for experienced workers ā° 06:40-11:15 | Onshoring and a backlog of work puts more pressure on US manufacturing facilities ā° 11:16-13:19 | Retiring baby boomers are leaving a vacuum of experience ā° 13:20-17:05 | Young people not pursuing the trades ā° 17:06-19:55 | Bringing a sword to a gunfight: companies using old processes to approach trade gap ā° 19:56-23:06 | How Skillwork’s unique model can be a solution ā° 23:07-28:14 | Rapidly evolving technology will change skillsets for workers ā° 28:15-32:53 | Stagnation of ā€œBlue Collar Wagesā€ in a growing economy ā° 32:54-36:00 | Final thoughts Quotes Ā  šŸ’¬ ā€œPutting more production workers in a facility doesn’t make you more efficient, it makes you more expensive.ā€ (08:21-08:28)Ā  šŸ’¬ ā€œNot only is there opportunity, but there is honor and value in going into the trades.ā€ (15:08-15:13)Ā  šŸ’¬ ā€œWe need to keep talking about it, encouraging people, supporting, and showing the opportunity. It’s on all of us to make sure we honor the skilled trades and celebrate that as a path.ā€ (16:24-16:55)Ā  šŸ’¬ ā€œI’ve literally looked at some owners of companies, and the look on their faces is hopeless. They look at us and think we’re kidding when we say we can help them find the talent.ā€ (17:36-18:00)Ā  šŸ’¬ ā€œNot only are companies doing the same thing, they continue to look in the same pool knowing there’s nothing there…Our challenge to you would be to think outside that box.ā€ (19:19-19:54)Ā  šŸ’¬ ā€œIt’s amazing how when we find success doing something, we want to go back to that. But it’s the smart individual that says, ā€˜maybe we should try something different’.ā€ (21:49-22:00)Ā  šŸ’¬ ā€œOnce the technology was there, it was an asset. It was inevitable that eventually those businesses and industries were going to shift.ā€ (25:57-26:06) šŸ’¬ ā€œIt’s going to exacerbate the skilled labor shortage, but we see an opportunity in this to attract a new generation.ā€ (27:41-27:49)Ā  šŸ’¬ ā€œTraditionally, there’s a lag in wages when we have an economic boom. Blue collar workers are usually the last to benefit. But we are starting to see that trend change.ā€ (28:34-28:49)Ā  šŸ’¬ ā€œGood people always pay for themselves.ā€ (30:56-31:00) f šŸ’¬ ā€œIf you’re focusing on pinching pennies, you’re losing dollars out the other end. Invest in the front end and give skilled workers the wage they deserve for the value they’re bringing your company.ā€ (31:18-32:29) Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTub

04-05
35:59

What Is The Fourth Industrial Revolution

Connect with Skillwork: There’s a change coming. Automated machinery, sensors, AI, interconnected ecosystems—advancements in digital technology are booming and it’s only a matter of time before they change the face of the skilled trades. Experts call this the Fourth Industrial Revolution. We teased this subject in our last episode, 2021 Skilled Labor Trends, but on this week’s episode we’re taking a deep dive into these technological advancements and how they will cause fundamental changes in the manufacturing industry. Just like every past industrial revolution, changing technology will require new skillsets. While we won’t pretend to be experts on things like AI and cloud technology, we are experts in finding skilled laborers and can get you the talent you need to excel in this new era. Main Takeaways āœ… The Fourth Industrial Revolution will create digital ecosystems with AI, sensors, cloud-based technology, and the Internet of Things āœ… Companies who prepare and evolve their technology and staff NOW will come out on top āœ… The main change for manufacturing will be predictive vs. reactive systems āœ… Skills and expertise must evolve with technology to succeed Quotes: šŸ’¬ ā€œIn manufacturing, it’s this fusion of traditional physical manufacturing and digital manufacturing. Companies that understand how to leverage this and make this work will be at the forefront of the fourth industrial revolution.ā€ (8:07-8:25) šŸ’¬ ā€œ98% of organizations report that a single hour of downtime costs them over $100,000. And I would argue that’s probably on the low side for some companies.ā€ (12:17-12:27) šŸ’¬ ā€œIf you’re not growing your talent at the same time [as technology]…you’re basically investing in something you won’t be able to operate.ā€ (16:23-16:38) šŸ’¬ ā€œThis technology we’re talking about will reduce cost by 10 to 20%. That’s big.ā€ (18:20-18:30) šŸ’¬ ā€œEverything is interconnected from customers to your supply chain. It’s not just a single production line, it is a production system that is highly flexible, interoperable and connected.ā€ (25:25-25:38) šŸ’¬ ā€œIt always comes down to people, no matter how much technology we have. You’ve got to have the right people to make it work.ā€ (39:15-40:01) Ebook source mentioned in this episode: ā€œThe Future of Manufacturing: Blueprints for a Connected Supply Chainā€. ……………. - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

02-23
40:37

2021 Skilled Labor Trends | What should business leaders expect?

At the beginning of each year, we like to take some time to reflect on the previous year and consider the year ahead. Last year, we had some predictions and expectations—and while COVID-19 threw a wrench in the mix, many of them still came true for the skilled trades. As business leaders, we should plan for the future but it’s vital to stay flexible and ready to adapt as things change around us. 2020 was a perfect example of how no one can truly predict how things will go. On this week’s episode of The Skillwork Forum, we’re discussing some of the our predictions and skilled labor market trends that we expect to see in 2021. Main Takeaways āœ… The overall performance of labor markets was better than leaders feared āœ… Skilled labor shortage will continue, supply to lag behind pre-pandemic numbers āœ… Changes ahead in construction and manufacturing āœ… New administration’s policy changes effect on the trades āœ… The ā€œFourth Industrial Revolutionā€ āœ… 2020’s Winners, Rebounders, and Damaged sectors Quotes: šŸ’¬ ā€œWe’re halfway back to pre-pandemic levels. That still means we got a long way to go…but there’s still going to be a lot of rebound.ā€ (4:05-4:19) šŸ’¬ ā€œPolitics in this new administration means we can expect a lot more policy and oversight…we’re already seeing that in the energy sector.ā€ (5:56-6:12) šŸ’¬ ā€œWe’re seeing a lot of leveraging technology as it relates to the construction space, the need for a fully integrated system…companies that get out ahead of that will be ahead of the curve moving into 2021.ā€ (16:43-17:21) šŸ’¬ ā€œ98% of organizations report that a single hour of downtime costs them over $100,000.ā€ - Hitachi Solutions (26:08-26:17) ……………. Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

02-08
37:53

The Cost of Not Changing: Unsafe Working Environments

Being understaffed—or even just not having the experienced workers you need—can have a measurable impact on the safety at your facility. In our last installment of our podcast series ā€œCost of Not Changingā€, we discuss the reasons why being understaffed undermines workplace safety, and what you can do to address them. While it may not be intentional, it’s critical to address staffing challenges both for the wellbeing of your employees and the long-term success of your business. The good thing is it can be resolved: - Communicate with your team that you see the problem - Utilize a combination of traditional and innovative hiring methods to address your shortage - Consider augmenting your workforce with highly-qualified temporary staff via Skillwork. For a risk-free assessment of your workplace, reach out to us at skillwork.com/contact-usĀ  Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

12-21
28:36

The Cost of Not Changing: Toxic Culture

This week on The Skillwork Forum, we tackle most business leaders’ least favorite subject: workplace culture. We all want to avoid talking about it, because it can be somewhat nebulous and overwhelming. It’s tempting to focus your efforts on new business or other ways to solve stressors in your work environment. However, regardless of what may be causing stress or frustration for your staff, if left unchecked it will gradually eat away at your work environment until it becomes toxic. And toxic culture WILL destroy your company from the inside out until you address it head-on. In this episode you’ll find telltale signs of bad company culture as well as concrete ways to address each one.

12-07
33:29

The Cost of Not Changing: Tyranny of the Urgent

Do you find yourself constantly busy but never feeling like you’re gaining traction? This week on The Skillwork Forum, we discuss a universal problem that plagues even the most dedicated of strategic leaders: the tyranny of the urgent. It’s a simple concept but is a constant battle for many of us—the things that demand our attention eat up all our time instead of the things that are truly important. We spend our days feeling like we’re on a hamster wheel—always busy, always running, but never getting anywhere. The unfortunate truth is this: the things that you just don’t have time to deal with right now are what will keep your business running smoothly and successfully for years to come. Even if you don’t own or help run a business, this episode is for you. Check out the episode and learn how to recognize the tyranny of the urgent and some practical solutions that you can apply today. Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

11-22
21:13

The Cost of Not Changing: The Pain of Customer Dissatisfaction

There are many ways that not changing your current staffing strategy is costing you. In this episode of The Skillwork Forum, we discuss how your staffing challenges are impacting a main pillar of your business: your customers. Few things are as stress-producing as a business leader as knowing that a customer is unhappy with your performance. While there are many factors that can lead to this outcome, in this week’s episode, we discuss how staffing can be a major contributor to dissatisfied customers, and what to do if you find yourself in that position. Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

11-08
18:45

The Cost of Not Changing: Stress On Staff

As a company, your people are your most valuable asset. It’s easy to forget when the challenges are never-ending, there aren’t enough workers to get jobs done on time, clients are frustrated, and you feel the financial pressure on top of it all. However, it’s vital to manage the stress of your current staff. When a company is chronically understaffed, it erodes morale, increases turnover, destroys workplace culture, and makes meeting deadlines next to impossible. Not only that, but errors and work-related injuries and health issues pile up as well. If you’re feeling these stressors in your company, know that there is a way out. Start by treating your staffing as a strategy and plan for both short and long term solutions. When you think strategically, you can anticipate staffing needs and challenges before they occur. Tune in to our latest episode of The Skillwork Forum, ā€œThe Cost of Not Changing: Pain of Stress on Staffā€, for more details and solutions. Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

10-26
27:40

The Cost of Not Changing: Increased Business Costs

Change is hard. It’s human nature to resist and delay change, because it takes energy and resources to adapt. But at some point, the figurative or literal costs of not changing simply become too much. When they outweigh the pain of the change itself, we have no choice but to move forward. Many understaffed businesses in the trade space find themselves in this position today. Direct costs are usually the most obvious pain points from staffing challenges and demand the most attention. However, the hidden costs can be just as detrimental. On this episode of The Skillwork Forum, we discuss both—and what you can do about it. For help with your business’s staffing challenges, contact us at skillwork.com/employers. Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

10-11
26:30

How much is the skilled labor shortage really costing you?

The most important question when it comes to tackling the skilled labor shortage: Is there a better way? During this week’s episode of The Skillwork Forum, Brett and Tim share their insights on the hidden costs of the skilled labor shortage that aren’t always obvious on the surface—but can have devastating impacts to your organization’s bottom line. Things like underperforming workers, inflated internal recruiting costs, bad hires, high turnover, and even overstaffing might be costing your business more than you think. If this sounds too familiar, we would love to talk with you at no cost, no obligation—just a conversation and some insights for your company. skillwork.com/contact-us Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

09-27
20:48

Is finding a permanent solution to the skilled labor shortage realistic?

The skilled trade shortage wasn’t created overnight—and it’s not going to be solved overnight either. šŸ‘€ But while that sounds overwhelming, with the right combination of short and long term solutions it’s not an unsolvable problem. This week on The Skillwork Forum, Brett & Tim discuss how to balance this mix of short and long term approaches, why using a company like Skillwork can help ā€˜bridge the gap’ between your today challenges and tomorrow’s long term solutions, and the critical difference between Skillwork and a traditional temp agency in our hiring approach. You don’t want to miss it šŸ›  Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

09-14
16:37

How to Get Reliable Skilled Labor Talent

The skilled trade shortage is real. It’s been putting pressure on companies and individuals for years. We all feel it. When you can’t find the people you need to meet deadlines and your business is suffering because of it, there’s a temptation to lower your standards—just a little bit—to get the people you need right away. You’re likely feeling tired of being understaffed, knowing your team is overworked because of it. You feel like you would take anyone. Resist the temptation šŸ‘€ On this week’s episode of The Skillwork Forum, Brett and Tim discuss how to solve this seemingly unsolvable problem: how to get reliable and talented skilled laborers that can help you meet your goals and objectives. šŸ›  Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

08-31
14:58

Covid 2.0

As businesses continue to reopen and get moving again after the economic shutdown earlier this year, considering a possible return of high COVID-19 numbers is likely the last thing on our minds. For many businesses it feels like just coming up for air after months of unprecedented challenges. However, it’s crucial to plan ahead so your company is prepared should the virus raise its ugly head again. Luckily, there are many companies who have paved the way and we can learn from their experience. In this episode of The Skillwork Forum, ā€œCOVID 2.0ā€, we discuss some of the measures food and beverage manufacturing facilities have implemented to keep their workers safe and how your organization can utilize some of these policies as you strategically plan for a possible resurgence of cases this fall.

08-10
18:48

Multi-level Vetting

While hiring itself isn’t too complicated, hiring the RIGHT people is hard. On top of dealing with the severe shortage of skilled craftsmen, there are endless combinations of skills, personality, experience, and aptitude to think about. Companies find themselves suffering through short-staffed and stressed out teams to avoid the high cost of negative hiring outcomes. You don’t have to keep plowing through without the people you need. On this week’s episode of The Skillwork Forum, Brett and Tim discuss Skillwork’s multi-level vetting process which funnels a large group of applicants down to a select few high-quality candidates that we provide directly to our clients. Learn more about how we do things and apply it to your own company’s hiring challenges or partner with us to get the people you need. šŸ›  Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

07-27
24:11

Internal Recruiting vs. External Recruiting

With a shortage of over a million skilled laborers and ever-increasing demand as America ramps up production again, there’s more pressure than ever for companies to get the workers they need to execute their goals. Unfortunately, these positions can require a precise fit of skills and experience—and internal talent acquisition isn’t always equipped to find that fit with the tools they have. This week on The Skillwork Forum, we discuss the merits of both internal and external recruitment strategies…and how the best way for companies to get the specific workers they so desperately need might be a marriage of the two. If you’re feeling like you’ve hit a wall in your recruitment efforts for skilled workers, click here for some relief šŸ™ŒšŸ¼šŸ›  Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

07-13
21:23

How To Minimize Negative Outcomes In The Hiring Process

For companies that already struggle finding quality skilled labor talent to get their jobs done, investing in a ā€œbad hireā€ is a costly mistake few can afford. At Skillwork, we call this aĀ negative outcomeĀ in the recruiting process. And for so many companies, these negative outcomes feel unavoidable. To make matters worse, if a company gets a string of these negative outcomes over time, it can create a ā€œlosing mindsetā€ā€”much like sports teams who get stuck in a losing streak they can’t seem to break. No company should feel ashamed or hopeless by this, though. We’ve all been there. This week on The Skillwork Forum we discuss three types of negative outcomes and how you can tackle them head-on. The most important thing? Get REAL. Be transparent about your company. Have self-awareness in what you can and can’t offer your skilled workers. We think you’ll be surprised at how well people react to your honesty. Have you had a string of negative outcomes in your hiring process lately? Check out our website to connect with us and find the right skilled workers you need, when you need them. Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

07-06
28:27

Servant Leadership & Intentionality

Leadership is an incredible gift, but sometimes the responsibility can be overwhelming. On this week’s episode of The Skillwork Forum, ā€œServant Leadership and Intentionalityā€, we discuss the incredible impact of others-focused leadership. We all have the ability to be transformational leaders in our businesses when we focus on this pattern: grow, give, repeat. In the second half of the podcast, we talk about a Forbes article on self-based leadership. You can find it here. Feeling the pressure of staffing skilled workers to keep up with demand? Check out our website where you can download a free ebook with the solution you’ve been looking for. Connect with Skillwork: - Skillwork’s website https://skillwork.com/ - Skillwork’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/skillwork - Skillwork’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWZSf9KTuKudIm2buVFrhcw Reach out to Rveal: - Rveal’s website https://site.rveal.media/ - Rveal’s LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/rvealmedia - Rveal’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC69p14R2ccMdyUbbmdlWCEw

06-22
32:00

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