You’ll never guess where I found my new employees…
It’s almost Spring and my phone is ringing off the hook with estimate requests and accepted proposals.
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The employment ads are placed in all the usual areas…
Online, social media platforms, I’ve told all of my friends and family and anyone else I can stop to let them know, “WE ARE HIRING”.
The emails are starting to pour in for experienced painters with five years experience, just like I asked for; but when I interview them it doesn’t seem like they’ve painted for even five minutes.
To top that off they want TOP pay for a starting position.
I went through the candidates…
Oh look, this one was a pizza maker, but he painted 12 years ago for his brother and he thinks he is the right candidate for the position.
The one over here cannot account for 3 years of employment but he has been painting his whole life and knows everything about painting except arriving at the interview on time!
The two I finally hired did not last a week…..
I’m sure you’ve been there… it’s nothing but frustration and wasted time.
Although we’d all like the all-star new hire to hit the ground running when they place one of our shirts on their back, the reality is, we are running out of skilled tradesmen as society has changed the course of many younger peoples’ lives with the push for a college degree.
[Click here for my 11 Interview Questions for Hiring an All-Star]
I found an option and a new wave of employees who have been trained the basics of painting in a controlled setting that has them being tested on aspects such as:
- prepping walls and exteriors
- the foundations of level 5 wall prep
- wallboard repair
- cutting and rolling
- exterior paint applications.
Imagine if you could forge a relationship with a school or organization that exposes future employees to a painter training course like described?
The answer is Shriver Job Corps.
The Job Corps is a FREE education and training program that helps young people learn a career, earn a high school diploma, or GED, and find and keep a good job.
For eligible young people at least 16 years of age that qualify as low income, Job Corps provides the all-around skills needed to succeed in a career and in life.
On my recent visit and tour of our local Job Corp facility, I was able to meet with students who were dressed and working in painters whites.
They were courteous, happy, and looking forward to graduation once they complete all their required training, yes, required training.
Once the student is arriving to his or her graduation the administrator looks to find a suitable painting company to place the student.
They are also willing to place a student on a temporary basis slightly below market pay rate as explained to me and cover the student’s workman’s compensation insurance to assist in finding the student a promising career.
To me, this is a win-win! Shriver Job Corps has locations throughout the United States from coast to coast.
Here’s a map of the locations: https://recruiting.jobcorps.gov/Home/Map
If you haven’t already, grab these 11 Interview Questions for Hiring an All-Star right here.