Online Training Can Prepare Workers for the Construction Boom

Posted by Des Sinkevich on July 22, 2021

The construction industry was one of the hardest hit by the pandemic, losing 1.1 million jobs in March and April 2020 alone. But as the world continues to reopen in varying degrees, the industry has experienced much-needed recovery, regaining 888,000 of the jobs lost. With construction season in full swing combined with a housing market boom, the need for new residential and commercial construction and renovation is only expected to grow and construction companies will need more skilled workers than ever. In order to meet your project goals, it’s essential that you can attract the new talent you need and that your employees are prepared for the work ahead of them. That's where a comprehensive training program can help.

While some level of onboarding and on-the-job training is necessary in every industry, more in-depth training can be overlooked during stressful or busy times. In most trades, from construction to plumbing, workers are often expected to already have a certain amount of skill, knowledge, and experience before being hired. It’s much more difficult to train a new hire with no previous on-the-job experience when projects need to be completed on a set timeline and basic skills are essential to doing even the simplest task.

In addition to slowing down the steady pace needed to complete work on time, having new hires learn on the job puts undue stress on your seasoned workers which can lead to burnout, frustration, and, potentially, higher employee turnover. With the construction industry recovering almost 80% of lost jobs, workers have more employment options available so it’s essential to ensure that they don’t feel the need to find work elsewhere. An effective training program can not only help you attract and prepare new hires for the day-to-day work they’re required to do, but it can also make a positive impact on company culture, morale, and help your business retain the skilled workers you already have on staff.

A comprehensive training program can help your company attract talented workers, increase retention and satisfaction among current employees, and overall benefit your business. But implementing an internal training initiative or offering education benefits through in-person courses at local schools may not work well for your project schedule. Employees and new hires would need to take occasional time off to attend classes in programs that can take months or years to complete, negatively impacting the amount of work your company can take on during these training periods. During a boom in construction and renovation, that can be detrimental to your bottom line. That’s where online training can make a difference.

Hands-on training, when done effectively, can be absorbed in a flexible, online educational environment. Penn Foster’s Construction Trades Training Program is designed to equip learners with real-world skills – all through a self-paced, mobile format that can allow your employees to study in their free time without impacting project schedules. Through our proven learn-practice-apply instruction model, learners cover the knowledge and skills needed to be job-ready in courses that include interactive elements, how-to instructional videos, and practice simulations. With a focus on practical skills, learners are prepared to confidently dive into work from day one.