2024 Hiring Trends for Skilled Trades and the Need for Recruitment Marketing

Over 3 million unfilled skilled trades jobs are projected by 2028. This is why finding and retaining top talent is becoming more critical than ever. As talent acquisition evolves, 2024 is set to witness a paradigm shift for skilled trades.

The demand for skilled workers is reaching new heights. Technology and changing workforce expectations are also reshaping hiring trends. With these challenges, the role of recruitment marketing becomes important to help a company stand out from its competitors.

Below is a guide on the 2024 hiring trends for skilled trades to watch out for.

The Impact of AI on Skilled Trades Recruitment

Recruitment marketing ideas are evolving with AI. Onboarding new employees is streamlined, thanks to AI-driven tools. If you're in the skilled trades sector, this means more efficient recruitment.

When recruiting, AI can not only help you come up with clearer job descriptions, but it can also craft them in your company's voice and tone to highlight your culture. Transparent and streamlined job descriptions can help your company attract the right talent. For candidates, it helps them better understand the role and assess their fit.

AI can also help recruiters of tradespeople automate repetitive, time-consuming tasks such as:

• Screening resumes
• Triggering assessments
• Scheduling interviews with candidates

With AI-powered tools, you can add a layer of talent intelligence to your recruiting. This helps recruiters improve candidate assessments. They can seamlessly match job requirements with candidate skills and experience.

Additionally, AI-powered recruitment chatbots can efficiently address candidates' queries in real-time. This allows for seamless interaction. However, concerns about accuracy and algorithmic biases of AI persist.

Studies show that generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, are becoming less accurate. This emphasizes the need for careful implementation of AI in recruiting. It will help maintain the human touch in hiring.

AI Empowering Candidates in Skilled Trades

While AI streamlines processes for recruiters, it also empowers candidates. Instead of spending hours crafting resumes and cover letters, candidates can use AI. It will help them handle these tedious parts of job hunting.

Candidates can also use AI to compare salary ranges. This will help them negotiate more effectively. As a result, skilled tradespeople can make well-informed decisions about potential employment. For employers that cannot compete in a specific salary range, consider using recruitment marketing to display soft benefits and the more intrinsic values of your company culture.

Also, AI contributes to a more efficient hiring process. Virtual training and chatbots can answer any queries candidates have. This offers optimal support.

However, candidates need to exercise caution in this AI-enabled job market. There's a rising trend of scam artists exploiting AI to create fake job postings. This can pose a threat to candidates' personal information.

Early Career Hiring Strategies in Skilled Trades

Skilled trades recruiters are expanding their horizons with early career hiring. While certain professions may still demand college degrees, the trend is shifting. Most skilled trades employers are reaching out to high school graduates. Your recruitment marketing should be customized to appeal to this younger generation while educating them on the benefits of a different career path.

Some are exploring hires from technical and non-traditional higher education institutions. This broader scope in their search helps cast a wider net. It also contributes to a more dynamic and adaptable workforce.

Financial considerations play a pivotal role in this recruitment trend. Entry-level skilled trades hires often command lower salaries. As a result, it makes them more attractive to companies on a budget.

Companies are also recognizing the importance of building an inclusive business. A diverse talent pool facilitates the achievement of DEI goals. This also helps foster innovation in the skilled trades industry.

Hiring for Skills in the Skilled Trades Industry

The skilled trades industry is shifting from focus on qualifications to skills. This change is a positive step forward for promoting diversity in the sector. The driving force behind this trend is the increasing need to address skills gaps.

Recruitment efforts are now focused on identifying candidates with specific technical skills. This approach ensures that teams remain competitive in the market. It also contributes to fostering a more inclusive workforce. Showcase your commitment to this by featuring diverse team member testimonials on your Careers page, employment websites, job boards, social media channels, recruitment marketing collateral, e-newsletters, and at community events.

To meet these evolving needs, companies are increasingly turning to interim employees. This allows them to experiment with new roles before making long-term commitments. Also, leadership skills are becoming vital in job postings in skilled trades; thus cultivating a workforce that is agile and adaptable.

The Resurgence of Empathy in Skilled Trades Leadership

Amidst technological advancements, empathy remains pivotal in recruitment. Studies show a lack of empathy at the top poses a challenge for attracting quality talent. Consider how you can incorporate this into your employer branding so that you may become known as "A Best Place To Work". As skilled trades professionals look for positive workplaces, recruiters need to embrace empathy.

Some practical ways you can incorporate empathy include:

• Ask Open-Ended Questions: To understand the candidate's story, aspirations, and concerns
• Craft Thoughtful Reply Messages: to show genuine interest in their career goals
• Active Listening: To understand the candidate's perspective
• Transparent Communication: This will help to foster trust
• Job Fit Assessments: To help candidates understand how well they fit into the role
• Cultural Fit Assessment: Also check their potential cultural fit for long-term success
• Provide Support: Offer guidance to candidates to build a positive employer brand

Incorporating these practices helps recruiters create a more personalized approach toward hiring. This leads to stronger relationships with candidates. It also improves performance and employee retention.

Navigating the Relocation Dilemma in Skilled Trades

Relocation is often driven by the availability of jobs in a specific trade. The demand for skilled labor remains high but the supply is low. This labor shortage is making it difficult for many contractors to recruit workers.

This is why the relocation landscape in skilled trades is undergoing a huge shift. While some workers are open to relocation, others may be hesitant. This hesitancy highlights the need for more targeted and supportive relocation incentives to attract the necessary talent.

To attract the best talent, skilled trades employers must re-evaluate their relocation policies. Many companies are willing to pay expenses or award bonuses for hires to move. An effective way to get this message across to potential candidates in other markets is a geofencing campaign.

Elevate Your Recruitment Marketing in the Skilled Trades Industry

In the dynamic landscape of hiring, especially in skilled trades, effective recruitment marketing is essential to attract the best candidates and elevate your brand. For seamless and targeted recruitment, turn to Hunter Recruitment Advisors where we believe recruitment is a marketing function. Search for candidates like you search for customers!

As a Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) provider, our expertise lies in sourcing skilled tradespeople who seamlessly integrate into your team, enhancing your operational efficiency. Contact us to discover how our tailored recruitment strategies can fulfill your specific needs and drive the growth of your business.