If you want to see what's really tough, try finding/hiring a truck driver in the Permian that can pass a drug test and speak English. If you do, they'll make $100k+ easily.

Summer is coming, hire a college Jr that is getting a degree in Construction Science as an intern. It could work out that next year he comes back full time and brings a fellow graduate as well. That won't help you now but sounds like you need to look forward.

For now, are you using Indeed?

Along with the above suggestion, have you considered hiring older, retired folks part time?

That’s the thing, it’s not high stress. This job is easy

Interviewing job candidates is an art form.

I’ve built everything from box retail as an electrician to hospitals as an assistant super for a gc. What are you building with low stress?

Sounds like apt refrub.


I have a friend that just solid his apt reburb flooring company, I ask him if he bored and wants to go back to work…. Not sure salary will work though. He has expensive tastes

Was a construction superintendent for 35 years, worked in residential also, have a B.S. of Architecture degree. My dad had his own company that I was brought up in. How to sharpen saw blades (didn't have carbide blades then) handsaws and power saws, sharpen drill bits, masonry, sheet rock most everything.
Retired at 68 few years ago.
Any supervisor position is stressful knowing how to schedule the work force, material, how to keep daily records, communication, planning.
Hope you find the person you are looking for.

I get it in some more high profile projects stress is a real thing

I may be downplaying it some but we work in very cookie cutter basic apartments, no frills. We aren't building them ground up. Just restoring/renovating/value add type stuff. If you ever lived in an apartment you would understand. Its just a babysitting job making sure the subs show up and complete the job.

I just think about all the positions that make 40-50K and I can give them a good 50% + raise to come here and Im still striking out. I'm just thinking all the municipal/govt jobs, home depot, teachers, restaurants, etc

I haven't gone the Indeed route, just trying to network to this point

I know a guy. Maybe, I’ll send him this link. He’s from that world.

Residential home builders are starting guys with zero experience at those numbers

My future son in law and 40 others in multiple locations at Shoppas just got their notices. I’ll talk to him tomorrow at my uncle’s funeral. Stand up guy.

Just sent you a PM.

Any mechanical engineers in that group? I'm in process of adding one or two.

I’ll find out tomorrow and let you know.

Man, I get it, but one of the kids I used to work with at the university started as an assistant super making more than that...in 2022. All he had was a summer internship and his degree. Good kid that is now on the large multi-million dollar projects. Salaries have gone nuts.

Thanks!

They cut some of them out here in Odessa/Midland area? They just moved to big new shop and figured they were holding their own in this area.

I wonder about how they go about hiring out here!? Everybody wants big money but they will bail on a job over $1 an hour difference...job hoppers! We offer $1000 bonus for referrals where I work to employees which I think is bad, guys will refer darn near anybody. If we were competitive and good company people would seek us out but instead guys get experience in the field and get poached out from under us. But that may be nature of field techs for gas compression. My shop consist of 4 guys, me 62 but have the work ethic, 1 is mid 30's and smart as company could ask for but moody due to autism (and trust fund baby that doesn't care about the money) thats senior in shop, 2 guys 22-23 age one of them is very mechanically inclined and picks up on things asap, the other is learning but have to mentor him and keep him motivated due to him having ADD. We all work well together just when shop foreman is gone they sorta wonder off on intensity. Wish I could pull that off but have something to prove since my son is over the shop and I will NOT be seen as the slacker! My age and health is my shortcoming so hope things work out within next couple years cause I refuse to get old and beat up in the oilfield.

I hate this for you. It’s a hard balance for big companies and a big issue for small ones. You’re going to have to up your wages to get what you want and you’re going to have to up your job bids to make that happen. I can bring an intelligent felon with no hs diploma in and he can make more than that first year if he’s willing to work. We still have trouble getting good people. In our case they don’t like the hours, the labor, the pace, the heat and when we do find one that’s up to speed they can’t do the thinking.

One thing to consider, that I’ve seen over the years, is that you hire a guy at the low end of the pay scale, and you train him. It usually takes a while to train someone to the level that he’s worth the pay, which is about 2 years for young engineers. Next thing you know, somebody steals him at a higher pay. Happens in any field that’s technical.

So, do you hire a newby and train him, or do you pay more and hire a guy already up to speed and less likely to be stolen, and can contribute on day 1?