Can Technology Hack the Labor Shortage?

By Adam Cabrera. 

Technology plays a crucial role in solving the labor shortage in roofing by connecting contractors with skilled crews. 

Is the roofing industry really experiencing a labor shortage? John Van Beek, veteran of the roofing industry and Labor Central executive, would say yes while Paul Aguire of Lumanex thinks it's more about a lack of connection between workers and employers. In a recent Read, Listen, Watch, host Heidi J. Ellsworth speaks with Paul and John to get to the bottom of this issue and learn what contractors can do to help solve it.  

"We see the statistics come out every month. I think the last one I saw was currently there's a shortage of 620,000 laborers required in the construction side of the business," says John. 

But it might be more complicated than that. As Paul sees it, "The labor shortage... is not necessarily a shortage of people willing to do the work. It's a shortage of the two communicating properly, meeting the labor force to the actual provider and the work source itself. There is a shortage of connection.” 

One thing both men certainly agree on is the role of technology in bridging the gap. John stresses how technology is changing the industry. "Everybody uses technology. The only thing left that hasn't had any kind of a technology solution is finding labor." 

Labor Central is a platform designed to connect contractors with skilled installation crews, acting as a facilitator for effective communication and collaboration. According to Paul, the impact of this technology on the industry has been palpable. "Every single piece of construction, and right now roofing, is touched and influenced by technology if you let it." 

Check out the Read, Listen, Watch webinar to learn more about the labor shortage and what you can do to improve roofing recruitment.