Hiring in the construction industry has never been more challenging - or more critical.
With global infrastructure demand rising and an ongoing labor shortage, finding and retaining skilled construction workers, project managers, and technical roles is a top priority. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in construction is projected to grow 4% by 2032, adding over 150,000 new jobs (BLS).
This article outlines 7 proven steps for recruiting top-tier talent, with practical strategies and real-world tools, including how Vouch transforms employer branding and hiring success.
Step 1. Build Your Construction Employer Brand With Vouch
In construction, reputation is everything.
Whether you're hiring Construction Project Managers, heavy equipment operators, or site managers, a strong employer brand helps you stand out.
Vouch’s employer branding platform allows construction firms to:
- Share authentic employee video testimonials from field leaders and skilled tradespeople.
- Showcase diverse project types, from commercial construction to renewable energy sector projects.
- Highlight career opportunities and growth for technical roles and executive-level professionals.
According to LinkedIn, 75% of job seekers research an employer's brand before applying. For construction firms, this means potential hires, from craft professionals to Pre-Construction Project Managers—are already evaluating your culture online. Vouch helps you control that narrative.
Step 2. Use Video in Your Construction Job Descriptions
A text-heavy job post won’t cut it for today’s construction talent.
Candidates want to see the work environment, meet potential colleagues, and understand the company’s project lifecycle.
With Vouch’s video job descriptions, construction companies can:
- Feature site management teams explaining job requirements.
- Walk through impressive projects to build excitement.
- Present leadership messages that reinforce employee loyalty and long-term value.
This simple change increases candidate engagement by up to 75%, especially in roles like building inspectors, elevator installers, or chemical engineers, where clear visuals make job demands easier to understand.
The AI-enabled workspace for talent teams.
- Unified workspace for talent teams
- Accelerate hiring with AI tools
- Auto-generate polished hiring and employer brand content
- Easily repurpose assets across all channel
Step 3. Grow Your Employee Advocacy Program
Your current construction team can be a powerful recruiting asset.
Through an employee advocacy program, workers share authentic stories, expanding your reach into untapped talent pools.
Why employee advocacy works:
- 561% more engagement is generated from employee-shared content than company-shared posts (Jobvite).
- Referrals result in faster, higher-quality hires.
- Referred employees also stay around, being their ideal culture the majority of the time.
Imagine a Construction Director sharing their career growth story, from on-the-job training to overseeing civil construction projects, an employee video resonates far more than a corporate job ad.
Step 4. Go Beyond Compensation: Your Construction EVPs
In a competitive labor market, pay isn’t the only factor.
Construction professionals want clear Employee Value Propositions (EVPs), a complete view of why your firm is the right choice.
Vouch’s EVP solutions allow you to:
- Communicate DE&I advisory initiatives and inclusive culture.
- Highlight training programs and certifications, from manufacturing certifications to advanced project management credentials.
- Demonstrate investment in safety standards and workforce strategies.
Firms with defined EVPs experience 69% lower turnover (Gartner). This is crucial for retaining skilled tradespeople and executive-level professionals who value long-term stability.
Step 5. Streamline Your Hiring Process
In construction hiring, speed matters.
Losing a top Construction Project Manager or site manager to a faster competitor can derail your recruitment process.
To streamline your hiring:
- Use Vouch for video interviews, reducing scheduling delays.
- Partner with background check providers like Checkr or Sterling.
- Leverage candidate sourcing tools and data mining techniques to fill niche roles quickly.
- Implement end-to-end support using a structured staffing blueprint.
According to Glassdoor, faster hiring improves candidate satisfaction and increases acceptance rates by over 30%.
Step 6. Focus on Retention From Day One
Hiring is only half the battle, retaining top construction talent requires immediate action.
Vouch’s internal communication tools help with:
- Personalized onboarding videos for field leaders and office roles.
- Continuous on-the-job training modules for specialized roles like engineering recruitment services or site management.
- Clear talent management solutions to map career progression.
Effective onboarding can improve retention by 82% (SHRM), helping construction firms keep high-demand roles filled, from civil construction supervisors to construction directors.
Step 7. Partner With Specialized Construction Staffing Agencies if Needed
When internal hiring efforts stall, specialized construction staffing agencies bring the expertise and candidate database you need.
Recommended agencies include:
- Goodwin Recruiting – Expertise in construction staffing solutions for permanent roles.
- 619 Recruiting – Skilled in sourcing craft professionals and project managers.
- Michael Page – Offers executive search and staffing for construction management.
- Aerotek – Strong presence in construction labor markets and contract roles.
- Tradesmen International – Specializes in skilled construction workers across local labor markets.
These staffing partners help fill everything from temporary contract roles to executive-level positions, reducing hiring gaps and supporting project success.
Who Are Top 10 Construction Employers Globally?
- China State Construction Engineering – 368,000 employees, $290B revenue – The world’s largest construction firm.
- Vinci – 272,000 employees, $66B revenue – Major global player in civil construction and infrastructure.
- Bouygues Construction – 129,000 employees, $44B revenue – Expertise in diverse project types and public infrastructure.
- ACS Group – 113,000 employees, $40B revenue – Specializes in heavy construction and engineering.
- Skanska – 32,500 employees, $20B revenue – Focused on sustainable commercial construction.
- Bechtel – 55,000 employees, $17.5B revenue – Known for large-scale engineering and infrastructure projects.
- Larsen & Toubro – 45,000 employees, $21B revenue – Leaders in civil and industrial organizations.
- Kiewit Corporation – 28,000 employees, $12B revenue – Specializes in heavy construction and renewable energy.
- Turner Construction – 10,000 employees, $14B revenue – Strong portfolio in commercial and residential construction.
- PCL Construction – 4,500 employees, $8B revenue – Renowned for diverse project types across North America.
FAQs
What’s the biggest hiring challenge in construction?
The ongoing labor shortage for skilled tradespeople and technical roles.
How does Vouch help construction recruitment?
Vouch helps you create authentic video content that strengthens youremployer branding.
Why is employee advocacy important in construction?
It taps into worker networks, improving candidate sourcing and reducing hiring costs.
What are the hardest roles to fill?
Heavy equipment operators, project managers, and elevator installers.
Should I use staffing agencies for construction hiring?
Yes, especially for urgent or highly specialized roles.
How do EVPs improve retention?
Your Employee Value Propositions (EVPs) should showcase your training, safety culture, and growth opportunities that build employee loyalty.
Can video job descriptions increase candidate interest?
Yes, by up to 75% for technical and executive-level positions.
See Why Recruiters & Talent Teams Love Vouch!
Used by companies like Cisco, Aldi, Ericsson, Canva, Nike, Warner Bros. Discovery, HubSpot, Amazon, Mars and thousands more, modern recruiters love Vouch.
Simply book a Vouch demo today to see how Vouch can help!
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