As construction employers continue to struggle to find enough people to adequately man their job sites, being able to find potential employees quickly and efficiently is an absolute must. Recently, a new platform for construction job seekers and employers has been released nationwide.
Hard Hat Hub (HHH) combines traditional job posting and searching with a bit of an online dating feel. Just like some recent successful dating sites, Hard Hat Hub allows job seekers to have an anonymous profile and employers are able to "unlock" the person's details if they feel a candidate is qualified. The platform has been in testing in the Chicago area and now anyone across the country can use it.
For Job Seekers
Hard Hat Hub allows you to keep your identity semi-anonymous, if you choose. This means that only an email address and phone number will be given to the employer. If you choose yes and are currently still employed, HHH will make sure that your current employer cannot see your profile. When you input your skills, experience, and other information, HHH will match you with potential employers who are looking for people like you, whether you're a Project Manager, Architect, Technician, Skilled Trade, Estimator, or any other construction related role!
It's also 100% free to use.
For Employers
Most job posting websites are made with the general public in mind, but Hard Hat Hub tailors the job search to the construction industry, letting you know that only the people interested in the field are applying for positions. With this service, you don't even have to create a job posting, you just search for potential candidates and "unlock" the ones that you feel fit with your company. The cost to unlock job seekers is anywhere from $17-31 per credit, depending on the amount of credits you buy.
Video below shows a quick overview of how Hard Hat Hub is used:
Announcement: New Site for Employers | Hard Hat Hub
After sharing average hourly wage data for construction laborers, ranked by state, a little over a week ago, I’ve decided to begin doing the same for the other many different construction related professions. Our second profession that we’ll be analyzing will be heavy equipment operators.
The construction industry is in need of workers and the industry is generally struggling to attract younger workers to the job site. There’s real money to be made in the construction industry, even more so than many other industries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average yearly median pay for those in the construction industry was around $6,000 higher than all other occupations.
In June, we shared that OSHA was planning to extend the deadline for crane operator certification requirements until November 10, 2018. Last week, on August 30, OSHA made that official and issues a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
When construction companies initially started to adopt mobile technologies like tablets and smartphones, there was a race between many construction technology companies to be the future leader in the area. As the years rolled on, it became less and less likely that one app was going to be the end-all-be-all, like AutoCAD became in the architectural design world. There’s not one app out there right now that provides every single function that a construction company needs, because each company is very unique. The solution? Integration.
[guest post] A punch list is a vital part of a construction project’s contract. It helps ensure that the contractor has completed the project in a satisfying manner and that all issues, such as damage to any structures as well as incomplete or incorrect installations, are taken care of before being paid.
Communication is key to a safe and productive construction environment. One of the biggest challenges of effective communication on job sites is the complexity and size of the project, which inhibits being able to contact the correct people in a timely manner. Tracking devices have been a hot button issue in construction news for the last few years. Some examples include RFID tag sensors in hard hats, such as the one being used on certain job sites in Washington DC and time sheet applications, which allow employers to track their employee’s locations using the GPS on their phone’s or tablets.
[guest post] The progress of construction sites is usually captured by taking still photos of different areas that have been subject to change. Documenting a full construction site requires a lot of pictures (usually more than ten per room), and even then not every corner of a room can be captured.
Augmented and Virtual Reality has always been designated for large headsets. Even with recent developments in the construction industry, like Microsoft Hololens and the DAQRI Smart Helmet, if you want to experience AR, you have to get used to wearing something you’re not used to around a job site. As cool as both of those technologies are, it seems that the ole trusty smartphones and tablets have been overlooked. A Danish BIM company has developed a smartphone and tablet application that leaves the headsets behind.
For many construction superintendents and project managers across the world, tablets are becoming one of the most important tools on the job site. They’re great for looking at plans, taking pictures, making notes, and running your favorite construction apps. Carrying a tablet does take up at least one of your hands, however, so it can be a hindrance if you need to help a co-worker lift material or climb a ladder.
According to OSHA, more than 40 percent of all heat-related worker deaths occur in the construction industry. Many more workers also become ill from extreme heat and humidity. With summer now in full effect, it’s time to re-evaluate your personal steps for keeping safe in the heat and how your company is going to help their employees stay safe.