Part Three: The Future

This is part 3 of a three-part series on the state of the trades in America today.

Part 1 spoke about the current state of the trades and the next generation, and part two spoke about what Red Dog’s Roofing is doing to raise awareness and solve the issue. You can read them both here: https://www.reddogsroofing.com/blog/​

In the final part, I’d like to discuss the future. After all the pieces are put into place.

What happens in 10, 20, or even 100 years from now?

To some, getting into the trades in the past may have given them the impression that it could lead to a dead end/stagnant career for them. They thought there was little to no room for growth or mobility, unless you wanted to be an entrepreneur or a foreman on a jobsite.

However, that isn’t the case. In fact, there are a wide variety of departments and career paths in most construction companies. There can also be additional opportunities in other facets of the industry, such as manufacturing or product distribution, to name a couple.

For growing companies to find good talent, it will require them to enhance their training and really help the next generation gain skills beyond the day to day work requirements.

Encouraging young students to explore the trades is a great way for them to learn how to work with their hands and help themself in their home life.

Unfortunately, some students go through school feeling like they’re “not smart” or “only an average student.” However, these students are most likely someone who would thrive working with their hands. Encouraging them to use their gifts of being a visual person and having high amounts of energy is all that’s often needed to get them on the right path. When those gifts are encouraged and not suppressed or criticized, it allows a student to see that they just happen to learn differently and excel in different areas of life.

Reaching the younger generation and allowing them to explore options for careers earlier on in school and finding something they enjoy and feel passionate about will allow students to decide for themselves if college is best for them, or if entering the workforce is better.

When a young student feels the trade is a good fit, getting them involved with a vocational school or working with a local company to lend a set of hands as needed is a great first step.

Their gifts need to be encouraged and allow them to explore something they may excel at, instead of making them feel like they are not smart enough or just an “average” student. Their unique learning ability and skill set can allow them to create a great career in the construction trades, or another hands-on trade. It can provide them with a way to work their way up in an organization or become a business owner themselves.

When a student can identify that they may be good at the trades and start to learn soft skills that will help them be a great employee/business owner, this will build their confidence and help them become ready for transition from school to the workforce/college.

At the same time, organizations that need good talent must invest in their talent and initiate good training programs. Companies cannot feel that getting a new employee and giving them the bare minimum is the best way to retain young talent.

Although it can be tough for a small business, or any business for that matter, to train someone and watch them leave, it still has to be done. When we onboard a new hire, talking about their future and plans with the company, and the possibilities of beyond help you to prepare. Some employees are in a business for a short time and some for a long time, but either way they are representing the business each day. And for that reason, training and working with them to gain skills is crucial.

Creating a program internally can be time consuming and costly but there are many great state and federal resources available. There are also great companies that can help with fully developed training programs as well. Companies must look at all the options and find a solution that fits best for their organization and culture.

In summary, the next generation must be introduced to the trades at a younger age and explore their talents and gifts beyond just school subjects and standardized testing.

When a student excels by working with their hands and enjoys that aspect of the trades, getting them into a vocational school or program is a great first step. When that is not possible, connecting the student with a local business that may need minor help, even just cleaning up around the shop to start, will help the student establish relationships within the local community.

Construction organizations need to create a culture of training and enhancing their employees' knowledge of both personal and professional skills to help get their clients not only the best products, but also the best customer service.

Organizations must have the mindset of creating the best talent and work with their employees to create a path for growth and mobility, and understanding that some employees may outgrow what the organization can give them, so they must have a plan in place to work in new talent as some employees move on.

Creating a system in the local communities where schools and organizations work together to help the next generation learn skills needed to be a positive and productive member of society will allow communities to build great organizations through employment and entrepreneurship.

Encouraging and inspiring the next generation through a career path and giving direction in life is not only crucial for infrastructure, but also for the benefit of society itself. Better people make better employees. Better employees make better communities, better communities can make a better world.

By initiating that wave of knowledge, direction, and passion to guide the next generation, then sharing the winning formula with those around us, we all can win.

We’d love your feedback. If this blog struck a chord with you, let us know. Send us a line at  info@reddogsroofing.com.

Red Dog’s Roofing is a local, community focused roofing company based out of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, who have provided exterior remodeling solutions for more than 12 years. Their newest initiative is supplying guidance to the next generation of tradespeople by offering resources, encouragement, and solutions to make them more empowered choices in their careers and in their lives.