PPB July 2018

Labor Pains The industry is facing shortages in skilled craft labor as Baby Boomers retire and as younger people in the workforce choose other career paths, but wages are increasing as a result. However, the shortage and the increase in construction costs put pressure on human resources personnel to employ more creative recruiting strategies. Contractors also are working to alleviate the labor shortage by supporting training programs and recruiting efforts outside their typical regions of operation. Talent Search Engineering firms have been slower than other industry groups to seek out talent via online recruiting and job-seeker platforms, but a growth in the number of “free agent” engineers—professionals who work on a project basis for different employers, rather than as full-time employees of a single firm—has prompted companies to boost their online talent searches. Engineering services firms accounted for 18 percent of all engineering jobs in 2016, and they are expected to grow by as many as 35,000 employees by 2021. Market Snapshot The construction field ranks No. 6 among the top 10 industries purchasing promotional products, at 6.1 percent of total reported sales volume, according to the PPAI 2017 Sales Volume Study. Trends For 2018 And Beyond Construction • Green Building Council recommendations • Onsite construction and fabrication • Technology and automation; e.g. 3D printing and robotics Engineering • Design and production of lightweight products and packaging • Smart factories with IoT technology • Collaboration between manufacturers, project sponsors and free-agent engineers Multi-tasking drinkware is a hot trend, and the 13-ounce KOOZIE ® Triple Vacuum Tumbler doesn’t disappoint. It has a drop- in, drink-thru lid that allows the user to convert it from a can or bottle kooler to a tumbler, and it is spill- resistant and sweat-proof. BIC Graphic USA PPAI 114187 www.bicgraphic.com Custom Vinyl Marking Flags are an eye-catching, functional way for clients’ brands to make their mark on site. The vinyl flags come in multiple sizes and feature a wire, plastic or fiberglass staff. They are ideal for marking utility lines, lawns, buried cables, construction sites, property lines and more. They are fade resistant and available in several colors, and can be customized with an imprint of the company name and logo for heightened brand exposure. Quinn Flags & Banners / PPAI 360359 www.quinnflags.com Campaign Collateral The Multi-Photo Year-In-View ™ calendar can be decorated with multiple images to demonstrate a company’s capabilities, products, services and goals. Special event dates throughout the year can be emphasized with block printing. Tru Art Advertising Calendars PPAI 113720 / www.truart.com | JULY 2018 | 37 GROW