Solving the Skills Gap - Keynote - Shawn Van Dyke

There is a problem that exists for everybody in this room. This problem is affecting the way that you run your construction company. This problem is affecting the productivity of your employees and it's affecting the service that you're able to provide your customers. And it's affecting the profitability of your business. And because the construction industry plays such a vital role in the overall US economy, this problem is affecting our country, as well. This problem is the reason why you can't find the skilled labor that you need today. This problem is called the skills gap.

So, what's the solution? We have to solve this problem because no one else will. And the solution's not easy, but that's okay. I mean, if we wanted an easy job, we would have chosen to do another line of work, right? We're not scared of hard work. We build stuff with our hands. We transform the landscape of this country by our own blood, sweat and tears, unfortunately, quite literally sometimes. So, we're not scared of hard work and we can solve this problem if we do this one thing. We must ignite a revival in the trades.

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[kriskurnat]

THIS IS SO TRUE !
great job Shawn!!
Industry is greatfull and lucky to have you !!!

[WoodWindowMakeover]

You nailed it. I like the way you are able to verbalize the problem concisely. Great and necessary content. Already shared it.

[themillennialroofer]

Do you have a video on how to overcome objections for charging for an estimate?

[mikeguertin]

OK - so all-hands-on-deck.
Identify the problem - Check
Inform the public - Check
Inspire others - Check
Ok, so now we need some actionable specifics. Nuts and bolts stuff. What can I do?
Let's get beyond the 'talk to people' 'jump on social media' That's easy stuff but hard to see results. I'm not impressed by 'impressions.'
What can a tradesperson at the swinging a hammer, crimping tubing or pulling cable level do to have an impact?
How can a tradesperson get involved in making a concrete difference?
Talk is cheap and doesn't feel impactful.
We work with our hands, minds and hearts. We stand back every day and see results from our actions.
List out 10 things that a tradesperson can do to recruit people into the trades and train them. List out things that we can do; things that will get results; things that we can touch, feel, see at the end of the day.
Thanks

[rickirick]

Shawn, We really need to dig at the numbers. Specifically, trade school cost. To many schools charge 7-15g for welder training but the training is so little (like 1 1/2 hours a day) that these trade school kids dont come out qualified to enter the trade because contractors want welders who can make them money the first day. I hate it when I see tech school kids and there parents complain about the education didn't get johnny a job. We need to teach quality of education and teach these kids to ask questions of the schools who hires your students and how much do they make and how much do they make after 3-5 yrs. I love skills I run two welding skills competition and my guys judge in two states. You really need to see skills at the state level in welding its not that great as expected but really its not that great at the post secondary level either. We need to channel these kids to the best schools and hopefully watch the bad schools either go away or upgrade there programs. I have kids on track 1 yr out of a 6 month program on track to make 100g. its quality training we need to help the kids and the manufacturers. no skill and character does exist check me out at AWI.EDU. If your ever in WI or VT would love to see you stop by.