In construction, hiring used to be about finding people with the right technical skills. Post-pandemic, it’s become a race to keep up with demand as the nation builds faster than ever.
Infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects are booming, but the workforce pipeline hasn’t caught up.
Skilled trades are aging out, mobility is down, and the next generation isn’t stepping in fast enough. If we don’t rethink how we attract and grow talent, the industry will hit a wall.
Recruiters and HR leaders are at the heart of this challenge. It’s not just about filling today’s roles. It’s about building a workforce engine that will power the future of construction.
But how do you balance immediate project deadlines with the long game of developing skilled trades? How do you convince a generation raised on remote work that opportunity also lives on job sites?
These are the questions the industry is wrestling with right now, and they demand more than quick fixes. They call for leaders who can see both the ground-level realities and the long-term horizon.
In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Simms, Director of Human Resources at Kiewit, one of North America’s largest construction and engineering organizations. Tom shares how Kiewit is tackling one of the industry’s biggest paradoxes: record-breaking demand for projects, but a shrinking pool of skilled talent.
Guest Bio
Tom Simms is the Director of Human Resources at Kiewit. In his 9 years with Kiewit, Tom has helped initiate, build, and continue to optimize HR service delivery from a fully decentralized to an enterprise-wide shared services organization. Along the way, he’s had opportunities to learn organizational development, change management, talent acquisition, and development. Connect with Tom on LinkedIn.
About Your Host
Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years of industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.
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