Infrastructure Hiring for the Long Haul: How to Identify Construction Job Candidates Who’ll Stick Around

August 26, 2025

Infrastructure Hiring for the Long Haul: How to Identify Construction Job Candidates Who’ll Stick Around

 

The construction industry continues to suffer from a labor shortage, with some experts saying the industry needs to hire about 439,000 new workers to complete projects planned for 2025. In 2026, the industry will likely need about half a million new workers to continue projects and meet deadlines.

Clearly, construction companies need to find reliable ways to attract and retain qualified job candidates. In some cases, your company might benefit from short-term labor that helps you meet specific milestones. Given the industry's ongoing labor shortage, though, it makes sense for many companies to retain workers who will stick around for years, not weeks or months.

By finding more long-term employees, you could lower onboarding costs, help workers build skills, and keep your projects on track. 

Let's take a closer look at the infrastructure construction industry's labor landscape and some ways you can retain top talent.

Understanding the Labor Landscape

A survey from Associated General Contractors of America makes it obvious that the construction industry has a labor problem. Among survey respondents, 85% of construction companies say they have open positions to fill. Among that group, 88% say they struggle to fill some positions.

It's particularly difficult for companies to fill positions that require high levels of experience and craftsmanship. Since those are the people you need to make infrastructure construction projects successful, the industry has been scrambling to find a solution.

Top Challenges in Hiring Reliable Construction Workers

So, what are the challenges that make it difficult for construction companies to hire reliable employees? Some of the top issues include:

  • Skill gaps: Perhaps it's relatively easy to fulfill an entry-level position. That's rarely the case when trying to find someone who has mastered their craft.
  • High turnover: The construction industry has a high turnover rate. Some workers leave their jobs simply because they lose interest in construction or want to find less physically demanding opportunities. Laying off workers between projects, however, could contribute to a company's high turnover rate. 
  • Workforce mobility: Construction workers know they can find jobs in other parts of the country, so they might relocate to other areas to pursue new opportunities or try living in different cities.

Smart Strategies for Identifying Candidates Who Stick

Since the construction industry has a notoriously high turnover rate, employers must adopt smart strategies for identifying job candidates who will stay with the company for years to come. That often involves:

  • Talking to candidates about company culture: Take time to tell job candidates about your company culture before you hire them. If they don't feel like they will fit into that culture, you can end the process immediately.
  • Screening for reliability: Look into an applicant's work history to determine whether they jump from job to job often. 
  • Prioritizing career-oriented applicants: Talk to candidates about their career goals, and prioritize those who show an initiative to move up within your company.

Retention Tactics to Improve Longevity

Some workers end up leaving their jobs because they feel let down by their employers. You can use retention tactics to keep them interested and engaged. Some winning options include:

  • Provide a clear career pathway: Long-term employees often want to know that they will have opportunities to move up within your organization. Providing a clear pathway makes it obvious that you want them to succeed.
  • Invest in skills development: Performing the same task day after day gets boring. Give employees ways to develop new skills so they can do more types of work and qualify for positions with more responsibilities.
  • Offer a competitive compensation package: Compensation involves more than pay. Make sure your compensation package includes insurance, paid vacation, and other benefits that make employees want to keep working with your company.

How Temporary Staffing Supports Long-Term Hiring Goals

Hiring reliable construction workers is often a difficult, time-consuming process. Temp staffing in the construction industry can help.

Partnering with staffing agencies means you can focus on your infrastructure construction projects instead of hiring new employees. An agency like HireQuest Direct has access to a vast network of construction professionals, so it can find qualified workers quickly. 

Reach out to a HireQuest Direct office near you to find infrastructure construction professionals who will turn into long-term employees.