The COVID-19 situation has brought unprecedented challenges for the construction industry. The biggest among these challenges is the sudden and acute shortage of skilled labour in the segment. While a large proportion of workers have migrated to their hometowns, others are apprehensive about returning while the pandemic is still at large. So it makes sense to have a proper plan to deal with labour shortage if you want to get your projects on track now as the restrictions are easing out and work is resuming. Here are some strategies that you can rely on.
Prioritise Worker Safety
Right now, nothing is more critical than workforce safety, and the fact that you are willing to go the extra mile could be the deciding factor to get people back to work. Implementing social distancing and effective sanitation practices are essential. You should consider spending on fogging and sanitising equipment, even if it increases your expenses. If you are using cost control software in construction, you will probably be able to save up elsewhere on the project. So spending a little extra on worker safety is worthwhile. Apart from keeping your people safe, these measures will also keep your business compliant with the occupational regulations implemented amid the pandemic.
Step up your Recruitment Efforts
Since you may have lost a large number of qualified field workers during the lockdown, the only way you can make up for the shortage is by stepping up your recruitment efforts. You can tap the existing sources for getting the workers while it would also be a good idea to consult specialised agencies who can connect you with the qualified people. This would save time and effort, and you can get to work faster than you expect. It is also an excellent time to revisit the hiring and retention practices so that you can bring in new people and motivate the existing ones to stay.
Automate Processes
Thankfully, the construction technology segment is booming, and you can use a software solution to automate the labour-intensive processes. The zi manager offered by Zepth construction management software is one of the best instances of process automation with a virtual assistant. It can generate and share reports, send rule-based alerts and keep you updated in real-time with your project progress.
These smart strategies can go a long way in eliminating the labour concern during this tough phase. And you can keep relying on them later as well.
Top comments (0)