Organization & People

Across SMACNA shops and job sites, most mentoring still happens the way it always has: organic, informal, and dependent on whoever happens to take a new worker under their wing. This New Horizons Foundation report makes the case that contractors are leaving real money on the table by stopping there. Drawing on practical examples from …

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“I received better onboarding at Jack in the Box than I did as a union employee.” That comment from an HVAC contractor president frames the problem this report sets out to fix. With 60 percent of construction injuries happening in a worker’s first year and effective onboarding linked to 52 percent better retention and 60 …

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This series of Infographics provides a visual summary of major topics addressed in NHF’s Workforce Development in the 21st Century and includes: The infographics serve as a tool highlighting how the trades can bring tremendous success and opportunity for an individual preparing to enter the workforce.

SMACNA’s New Horizons Foundation’s Workforce Development in the 21st Century addresses what the current generation of workers need and want in their careers and highlights 28 Workforce Development Organizations and their successful recruitment programs. The paper also provides guidance on how to evaluate the effectiveness of workforce development programs identifying components essential to success. The 28 workforce development …

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Building the Best Construction Workforce: Assessing Personality Traits of Top-Performing Teams within Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Understanding the human dimensions of our construction workforce helps us build the best construction teams and hire the best workers, both now and in the future.  This study identifies key personality and behavioral traits of top-performers in …

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How to successfully implement new construction technology and software systems in your organization Implementing change and making new system software work can be a formidable challenge in the construction industry. But, with our comprehensive guide, you’ll gain a strategic advantage in harnessing the full potential of construction technology. Our expertise and best practices will empower …

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Succession planning is important and most construction companies have a succession plan and process for the executive team. However, field leader succession planning has not been given the same level of focus. This is an urgent topic, as the leadership in the field are the closest touchpoint to customers and are a driver of the …

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How to create an engaged construction workforce and cut down on voluntary turnover With voluntary turnover at an all-time high, construction-related firms need to be prepared for the generational transitions occurring in the construction workforce. The best way to retain talent on your construction teams and prepare for the transition ahead is effective employee engagement. …

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The engineering and construction industry is facing an extraordinary number of executive departures as 50% of executive leaders in this industry are transitioning out in the next 10 years – making succession planning an imperative for these construction and engineering companies. And executives in many SMACNA member firms are part of this universe. As executive …

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Hiring and Talent Development Tools for Sheet Metal and Mechanical Contractor Personnel It’s time to move beyond traditional methods and make informed hiring decisions to unlock the full potential of your workforce. The New Horizons Foundation presents our white paper offering aptitude and personality assessment tools applied to sheet metal and mechanical contractor personnel. Unlock …

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