Organization & People

This series of Infographics provides a visual summary of major topics addressed in NHF’s Workforce Development in the 21st Century and includes: The infographics serve as a tool highlighting how the trades can bring tremendous success and opportunity for an individual preparing to enter the workforce.

SMACNA’s New Horizons Foundation’s Workforce Development in the 21st Century addresses what the current generation of workers need and want in their careers and highlights 28 Workforce Development Organizations and their successful recruitment programs. The paper also provides guidance on how to evaluate the effectiveness of workforce development programs identifying components essential to success. The 28 workforce development …

Continue reading “New Horizons Foundation’s Comprehensive Paper on Workforce Development”

Building the Best Construction Workforce: Assessing Personality Traits of Top-Performing Teams within Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors Understanding the human dimensions of our construction workforce helps us build the best construction teams and hire the best workers, both now and in the future.  This study identifies key personality and behavioral traits of top-performers in …

Continue reading “Building the Best Construction Workforce: Assessing Personality Traits of Top-Performing Teams”

How to successfully implement new construction technology and software systems in your organization Implementing change and making new system software work can be a formidable challenge in the construction industry. But, with our comprehensive guide, you’ll gain a strategic advantage in harnessing the full potential of construction technology. Our expertise and best practices will empower …

Continue reading “Construction Technology Implementation: Best Practices for SMACNA Contractors”

Succession planning is important and most construction companies have a succession plan and process for the executive team. However, field leader succession planning has not been given the same level of focus. This is an urgent topic, as the leadership in the field are the closest touchpoint to customers and are a driver of the …

Continue reading “Succession planning for construction leaders: Best Practices and Examples”

How to create an engaged construction workforce and cut down on voluntary turnover With voluntary turnover at an all-time high, construction-related firms need to be prepared for the generational transitions occurring in the construction workforce. The best way to retain talent on your construction teams and prepare for the transition ahead is effective employee engagement. …

Continue reading “Employee Engagement in the Construction Workforce: Keeping  Skilled Workers During Generational Transition”

The engineering and construction industry is facing an extraordinary number of executive departures as 50% of executive leaders in this industry are transitioning out in the next 10 years – making succession planning an imperative for these construction and engineering companies. And executives in many SMACNA member firms are part of this universe. As executive …

Continue reading “Succession Planning and Executive Exit: Factors for successful transitions for contractors, construction and engineering companies.”

Hiring and Talent Development Tools for Sheet Metal and Mechanical Contractor Personnel It’s time to move beyond traditional methods and make informed hiring decisions to unlock the full potential of your workforce. The New Horizons Foundation presents our white paper offering aptitude and personality assessment tools applied to sheet metal and mechanical contractor personnel. Unlock …

Continue reading “Construction Hiring and Talent Development: Assessment Tools for Sheet Metal Contractors”

This white paper focuses on traditional and functional organizational structures. It offers a simple and easily understood contrast and comment on the appropriateness of each approach. In contrast to the traditional structure, the paper concludes that a functional analysis of a firm’s operations can be “a tool for designing their organization going forward. It views …

Continue reading “White Paper: Enhancing Your Organizational Structure: An Approach to Profitable Operations”

An area of increasing adoption throughout the construction industry is the use of high-functioning boards of directors, peer groups, and other external resources to provide objective input to enhance performance. Companies are seeking solutions to the many challenges they face in today’s competitive business environment. Leaders are confronted with talent pressures, changing technologies, increased competition, …

Continue reading “White Paper: Using a Board of Directors, Peer Groups and Other Resources to Challenge and Enhance Performance: For HVAC and Sheet Metal Contractors”