Who could forget the massive supply chain snarls of the early 2020s? While disruptions of that magnitude are typically only caused by once-in-a-lifetime events, smaller logistical issues remain common. We have so many goods moving in so many different directions, that even a relatively minor snag could have escalating effects down the pipeline. Staffing issues are a surprisingly common cause of supply chain disruptions. Here’s how a skilled trades staffing agency near you can help.
How Do Skilled Trades Staffing Agencies Support Supply Chains?
Although supply chains have become very sophisticated, with a great deal of technology and automation, it’s ultimately people who make them run. And the skilled trades have been experiencing a labor shortage for quite some time. Much of this is due to generational challenges. Baby Boomers are retiring quickly, while many younger workers don’t see the skilled trades as a viable long-term career.
A second challenge is technology. As employers introduce more and more tech to their facilities, workers may start to feel displaced. It’s important to hire the specialists you need, but also to upskill and reskill your existing team members.
Fortunately, skilled trades staffing services can help with both of these issues. Here are a few ways we can support supply chains.
Quick Placement for Urgent Staffing Needs
A supply chain can collapse quickly if key positions remain unfilled. You could certainly conduct the hiring process yourself. But if you don’t have a dedicated hiring team, it’s likely to take a long time to write job descriptions, place ads, screen resumes, vet candidates, conduct interviews, and ultimately get your new workers onboarded.
When you partner with a skilled trades staffing agency, you don’t have to leave roles open while you go through the process. We maintain constantly updated rosters of talented professionals in all the skilled trades. We can often send over temporary help within just a couple of days to help bridge the gap, and our streamlined processes can vastly reduce the time it takes to make a permanent hire.
Flexibility for Seasonal or Project-Based Needs
Many companies experience seasonal peaks and valleys in demand, as well as occasional big projects that require extra hands. This is one area where staffing agencies really shine. We offer flexible staffing solutions to help you stay on track without over-hiring permanent workers. We can even help you anticipate future demand by using sophisticated data analysis to examine past patterns in a variety of ways.
Recruiting Candidates with Specific Certifications and Experience
With the skilled trades labor market so tight, it can feel almost impossible to recruit for positions that require specific certifications or specialized experience. Fortunately, dedicated skilled trades staffing agencies know where to source candidates who have just the background that you require. And since we’re experts in the skilled trades, we also know how to assess those candidates to ensure that their skills are up to par.
Matching Candidates to Company Culture and Long-Term Goals
It’s not enough to simply hire someone who looks good on paper. An imbalance in cultural fit dramatically increases the risk of a new hire leaving the company. That’s why we serve as a sort of matchmaker. We look hard at each candidate’s values, motivations, and approach to work, in order to match them with companies which are a great fit. You can be confident that whomever we provide will help to support your organization’s long-term goals.
Why Partner with a Local Skilled Trades Staffing Agency Near You?
Many people wonder whether it really matters whether their staffing partner is located nearby. After all, the internet makes it easy enough to connect with those who are hundreds or even thousands of miles away. But the truth is that location matters. Here’s why.
Deep Understanding of the Local Market
The Pacific Northwest faces both common supply chain challenges and those that are unique to our geographic region. Our labor market is unique. We cope with longer, darker winters and shorter building seasons than many other areas. For these reasons and more, a staffing company outside the area may not fully understand the pressures of the local market. When you partner with a locally owned and operated staffing firm, however, you can be sure that we have deep roots here. We know where to find the talent you need and how to position your company to be the most attractive to them.
Specializing in Skilled Trades Staffing for Supply Chains
It’s equally important to make sure that your staffing partner is truly specialized in the skilled trades. We have strong knowledge of supply chains and how the skilled trades affect them. We know what specific skills and certifications different roles require, and we understand how to analyze and solve even your toughest supply chain challenges.
Flexible Staffing Services Include Temporary, Temp-to-Hire and Direct Hire Placements
When you partner with a local skilled trades staffing agency, you’ll gain the benefit of flexible staffing services that are designed to meet your company’s unique needs. We offer three basic, customizable options:
- Direct hire. This is probably the type of hiring with which you are most familiar. We’ll present you with a short list of highly skilled and fully vetted talent. You’ll conduct interviews and decide which candidates to hire, and we’ll help you onboard them as permanent members of your team.
- Temporary workers. Do you need some help to manage a summer surge? Are you working on a big project that requires some extra hands? Or maybe you just implemented some new technology and you need someone to help your employees learn to work with it. In these cases and many more, temporary workers may be the right solution. We’ll send however many people you need, with whatever skills you require, for as long as you need them. They’ll remain on our payroll and, at the end of the contract period, simply move on.
- Temp-to-hire. Our most flexible option, temp-to-hire can be a great solution when you simply aren’t sure what sort of staffing you’ll need. Maybe you’re considering building a new team or expanding your service offerings. Temp-to-hire staffing utilizes a traditional temporary contract with an option to convert. At the end of the contract period, if both you and the employee agree, we can help you onboard them into a permanent role. Otherwise, you are free to simply let the contract expire.
Keep Your Supply Chain Moving with Skilled Trades Staffing Services from Opti Staffing in Oregon, Alaska, and Washington
Opti Staffing Group is a locally owned and operated full-service skilled trades staffing agency in the Pacific Northwest. With six offices across Alaska, Oregon, and Washington, we put people first. We understand how complex supply chain issues can be, and we know how to help you solve even the toughest supply chain challenges. If you’re ready to get things moving more smoothly, request an employee today.