It’s no surprise that careers in the trade industry have been decreasing in popularity. When young people look around them to decide on a career, they are largely persuaded into jobs in some arena of web development or technology. While those jobs are essential in today’s society, that doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for everyone and a lack of communicating the opportunity could be our own demise as an industry. What would hiring and retaining technicians look like, if we painted a picture so bright, candidates searching for their career path could not see a future without being in the trades?
Employee benefits in the trades, is a simple piece - only a morsel of what we can offer, but it’s a great starting place for differentiation. Along with a decrease in popularity, we now compete on playing fields we didn’t have in the past. There are several big companies such as Costco and Amazon with functionally less taxing jobs and full benefits. The workforce has upped the ante to attract high talent so how do we combat this? Most employers offer the classic benefits such as health and retirement, but that’s not enough anymore.
New Era of Hiring Comes with New Terms - Cultural Benefits
We live in a world of buzzwords and hashtags so here is a new one for you: Cultural Benefits. You may have heard the phrase ‘company culture’ repeated over the last few years but that was just the beginning. It’s not enough to have an abstract culture people can connect with, there needs to be some concrete evidence that your company cares.
What is a Cultural Benefit?
A simple definition is a benefit that makes your employees smile! These are outside the norm and connect who you are as a company with what you offer employees. Providing unique and personal benefits that speak to job seekers can positively affect their decision to hire on with your company.
How to Choose and Offer Cultural Benefits
First, you need to take a cultural inventory of your company. This means talking with employees and figuring out what kinds of things are important to them. Gone are the days of a pizza party being a benefit. I once worked for a company that recognized the Monday after the Super Bowl as a holiday because football was important to the owner. I would tell people about that all the time because it made me proud and excited to work there.
If you aren’t sure where to start, here are 5 cultural benefits to consider:
- Paid Gym Membership:
Offering a paid gym membership lets an employee know that a company is committed to the health and fitness of its team. This benefit can positively affect morale by encouraging healthier choices leading to healthier employees.
- Monthly Chiropractic Care/Massage Stipend:
There is an obvious physical demand in the trade professions. Providing a stipend for chiropractic care or massages shows that a company appreciates the hard work its employees do. This is a mental and physical benefit that can go a long way in making employees feel cared for.
- Mental Health Days/Therapy Options
Recognizing the importance of mental health is becoming an essential part of the workplace. By offering mental health days and therapy options as part of the benefits package, employees can feel seen, heard, and safe at work. This not only addresses the unique stress faced by workers in the trades but also establishes the company as one that values the well-being of its employees.
- Company Funded Professional Development
Company-funded professional development programs are a strategic cultural benefit. This not only enhances the skill set of technicians but also fosters a sense of loyalty and commitment. Employees can view the company as an advocate in their career and future.
- Childcare/Family Planning Assistance
The stress on employees to find and pay for childcare can become overwhelming. Providing childcare or family planning assistance is a thoughtful, potentially decision-making cultural benefit. Some states even offer tax credits for companies that support their employees in these areas, making it a win-win situation for both the employer and the team member.
Extending your benefits packages beyond the traditional offerings may take some time and development but can significantly boost retention. By investing in the personality, well-being, and work-life balance of employees, companies can not only attract quality technicians but also cultivate a supportive and positive work environment. Skilled workers should feel not only essential, but valued, and offering cultural benefits to ensure the care of these employees should become a staple at all companies.
Jillian Street is Director of Marketing for Trade Jobs, an innovative online recruiting platform built for and crafted by trade professionals. The site is dedicated to simplifying and improving the trade job recruitment process specifically for the HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing industries. Trade Jobs is committed to providing cost-effective and tailored solutions that benefit both employers and job seekers. For more information, visit https://www.gettradejobs.com