Hiring Challenges for Employers in Construction Industry

We want to get to the root of how to bring more workers from diverse backgrounds into the construction industry and are examining barriers or challenges to entry.

Your input and opinions on hiring challenges and solutions will help improve the OHBA Job Ready program.

Thanks in advance for your support.

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* 1. What area of Ontario do you work in?

Greater Toronto area (economic region of Toronto including Ajax, Aurora, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Brampton, Brock, Caledon, Clarington, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, Georgina Island, Halton Hills, King, Markham, Milton, Mississauga, Newmarket, Oakville, Oshawa, Pickering, Richmond Hill, Uxbridge, Vaughan, Whitby and Whitchurch-Stouffville).

Central region (e.g Muskoka-Kawarthas, Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie and Hamilton-Niagara Peninsula, including Peterborough, Orangeville, Guelph, Barrie and Brantford.)

Eastern region (e.g. Ottawa, Kingston-Pembroke, including the CMAs of Ottawa and Kingston. Cities include Cornwall, Brockville, Belleville and Petawawa)

Northern region (e.g Thunder Bay and Sudbury. Cities include Sault Ste. Marie, Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Dryden, Kenora and Fort Frances)

Southwest region (London, Windsor-Sarnia and Stratford-Bruce Peninsula, and including London and Windsor. Cities include Chatham, Ingersoll, Sarnia, Stratford, Goderich and Owen Sound)

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* 2. In a typical construction season, approximately how many entry-level employees do you need at your job site?

None – they are hired directly by our contractors

None - we only hire skilled trades or professionals

1 – 3 entry-level employees

4 – 9 entry-level employees

10 – 19 entry-level employees

20+ entry-level employees

Other (please specify)

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* 3. What kinds of challenges are you facing in hiring entry-level workers? Select all that may apply.

There are not enough jobseekers in our area.

Transportation and having access to vehicle is a big challenge for jobseekers.

People are not willing to work in the construction industry.

Entry-level workers don’t have enough safety training, basic skills, and understanding of construction industry.

Retention is a big issue, and it's a challenge to keep new employees.

Other (please specify)

None of the above

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* 4. Is access to transportation a barrier to hire new employees at your worksite

Yes, transportation to the job site via public transportation is a challenge.

Yes, transportation to the work site(s) requires a driver's license and car and few applicants have reliable access to a vehicle.

No, it’s not a challenge for us

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* 5. Do you offer any types of transportation support to your employees? Select all that may apply.

No, we’ve not offered transportation support.

Yes, we provide an allowance or subsidy toward their bus/transit pass.

Yes, we have a shuttle meet workers at a transit station and drove to/from the job site.

Yes, we arrange ride-sharing to get to/from work.

Yes, we paid an allowance for gas money to drive their own vehicle.

Yes, we gave flexible work hours to accommodate transit schedules.

Yes, we gave flexible work hours so they could drive to work and still make school or childcare drop off/pick up arrangements.

Other (please specify)

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* 6. We’re looking for ways to remove barriers for job seekers to enter the construction industry. What ideas might help job seekers with transportation, especially if they don’t have a vehicle or driver’s license?

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* 7. Are you familiar with the OHBA Job Ready program?

Yes

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* 8. Are you a current employer in the OHBA Job Ready program?

Yes

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* 9. What would help you with retention and hiring? Select all that may apply.

Hiring support from an external organization who has access to jobseekers

Safety training for jobseekers prior to employment

Jobseekers are supported in basic skill set and better understanding of construction industry prior to employment.

Workers have good understanding of their career path in the construction industry

Employees have access to a supportive community and mentorship services

Other (please specify)

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* 10. There are some factors within the control of managers and the organization to increase the retention of their workforce. Which one of the following do you practice? Select all that may apply.

Clarity of roles and expectations

Coaching and reinforcement

Competitive salary and incentives

Access to information, people, tools, and job aids

Providing a supportive culture and a healthy and safe workplace

Other (please specify)

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* 11. Do you currently partner with any local community organizations to hire entry-level workers? (e.g. workforce transition programs, colleges with pre-trades training, immigrant-serving organizations, etc.)

Yes

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* 12. What is the name of the organization/s who has helped you in hiring entry-level workers?

Thank you for your participation and providing your valuable input to improve the Job Ready program.