A CNN Money [2] article this week elaborated on what many construction firms already know: good labor is now hard to find.
Some find this news surprising.
Given the political chatter on Immigration Reform and the 2010 census totals (50M Hispanics in US and growing 4x as fast as the country as a whole), it may seem quality Hispanic labor is easier to find than a Taco Bell.
It’s not.
Here’s why.
Research out of the Pew Hispanic Center indicates net migration between Mexico and the US was stagnant - or negative - over the past few years.
This is new.
From 1970 - 2010 more than 12M Mexicans came to the US. According to Pew, that’s “the largest wave of immigration in history from a single country to the United States.”
Since 2007 however, this migration has stopped. It may be negative at this point - meaning more Hispanics are going out than coming in.
Some may come back.
Some won’t.
Here are 4 ways to best position yourself to recruit and retain the best Hispanic labor force as your company gains momentum.
UNO :: Change your mindset and vocabulary.
You are just like an NFL team: You are in the talent business. This doesn’t simply apply to that new Purchasing agent you hired away from a competitor. This applies to your Hispanic labor force as well.
So start simple.
Start by simply referring to your “Azul Collar” workers as Talent.
DOS :: Hire in advance of need.
Yeah, I know this cliche is despised as much as Alex Rodriguez. Many firms were doing this when the bottom fell out.
It’s supply and demand.
The smaller the talent pool, the longer it will take you to fill your roster.
At least with workers you actually want….
Start sooner than later or you’ll be turning down work in a few months.
TRES: Market yourself differently.
If you want to be the Belle of the Ball, you gotta turn some heads. Create a 50-second marketing video - in Spanish - explaining why the best talent chooses to work with you.
Be direct.
Be sincere.
Involve current Hispanic workers in the video.
Encourage your team to share it via social media.
Hispanic construction workers overwhelmingly prefer Spanish.
So… speak their language.
CUATRO :: Start (b)ESL classes
The English-Spanish language barrier slows productivity, muddles safety standards, and hurts your bottom line.
A poll conducted by Pew found 87% of Hispanics believe learning English is a requirement for success in the US.
They want to learn English.
You want them to learn English.
So… do something about it.
Start with (b)ESL classes: English as a Second Language (ESL) classes based on your Business. Identify the most important terms and phrases in your business and teach them to your Hispanic talent.
Put a big whiteboard in the warehouse.
Text a word-of-the-day.
Use flash cards.
Create some custom posters.
Start a mentor program.
Offer a pay increase of $1 per hour to Spanish-speakers that successfully pass your (b)ESL class.
Do something.
You’re in the talent business.
There’s a talent crunch.
What are you going to do?
Or better said:
¿Qué vas a hacer?
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