As the kitchen and bath industry continues to navigate the implications of a significant skilled labor shortage, many design and remodeling firms have resorted to hiring less-experienced or qualified workers to meet their staffing needs, according to a study by the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
The NKBA’s newly released Skilled Labor Workforce Study was aimed at better understanding businesses’ experiences as they work to meet current labor challenges, the Bethlehem, PA-based trade association said. The survey of more than 400 NKBA members and other industry professionals explores current staffing needs, difficulties hiring skilled labor, hiring incentives, barriers to hiring, and other issues related to the shortfall.
According to those surveyed, their current workforce is predominantly comprised of full-time employees, while more than half of the businesses polled say they’re currently searching for more full-timers. Most are paying above-market wages, typically 8% or more, to attract and retain skilled labor.
The consensus among surveyed businesses is that the skilled labor shortage has risen sharply over the past five years. Specifically, 58% of kitchen and bath firms are currently experiencing a moderate or severe shortage, up from 41% five years ago. More than half say their greatest need is for full-time workers, especially those with five-plus years’ experience. The most in-demand positions are installers and carpenters.
Among the study’s other key findings:
- Businesses noted that changing lifestyle and work expectations, a generational shift away from trades, and a lack of education/training are the most common causes of the skilled-labor shortage. Very few cited their hiring and retention strategies as a factor. A scarcity of experienced workers and a general lack of applicants are the top barriers to recruitment. Other barriers include the ability to offer competitive wages and high training costs.
- Project delays and increased workloads for existing employees are the biggest negative impacts on business caused by the skilled labor shortage. Project delays have the biggest impact on customers, primarily affecting project starts and finishes, as well as longer delivery timeframes and waiting times for products.
- Businesses are adapting to the labor shortage by expanding benefits and retention strategies, improving recruitment, and investing in educational programs. More than a third of those surveyed have invested in digital tools and software to reduce strain on existing staff. Businesses are also tapping into other external solutions by outsourcing products and services. Internally, they’re streamlining workflows and implementing new training programs to achieve greater efficiency.
