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Bobcat Introduces TL623 Telehandler
Jessica Schwartz
“For The Love Of Labor” Grant Promotes Women In Skilled Trades
Carhartt created its “For the Love of Labor” grants to increase female representation in the skilled trades. Applications are due February 17. With the skilled labor shortage remaining a challenge across several industries, opportunities for women to enter the trades are stronger than ever. Women’s share of the ever-expanding construction workforce reached an all-time high – 14 percent – in 2022¹, and the number of minority women apprentices has nearly doubled in recent years.² With that in mind, and looking ahead to International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, Carhartt is dedicating its Spring 2023 round of bi-annual “For the Love of Labor” grants to increase female representation in the skilled trades. Now through February 17, eligible nonprofit organizations that help place women in skilled positions can apply for the Spring 2023 grants, which are part of the brand’s commitment to strengthening and diversifying America’s workforce. Recipients will be announced in early March ahead of International Women’s Day as part of Carhartt’s larger celebration of women in the skilled trades. “While women have always played a vital role in this country’s rich history of labor, they remain disproportionately underrepresented in the skilled trades, where many of the jobs are historically male-dominated,” said Linda Hubbard, president and COO at Carhartt. “Carhartt was founded on the belief that careers in the skilled trades provide rewarding and inclusive job opportunities, and through our next round of grants, we strive to empower like-minded organizations that champion women as an integral part of America’s ...
Why Recruiting Women Is Your Next Power Move
The recent rally cry for labor has been unprecedented. Intensified need has owners venting their struggles to find and keep good help. But in our industry, it isn’t a new complaint. The revolving door of staffing has plagued the industry for decades. And while landscape business owners have become savvier employers, this post-pandemic climate has introduced new challenges; ones that are difficult to understand, and hard to overcome. Are women the untapped labor resource that we’ve been waiting for? Should we be strategically targeting female power to round out our teams? I say, “YES!” But there are no easy answers. The issues we are facing as owners go deeper than what gender we are courting for hire. There are nuances to how we recruit, build, and retain our teams that need refinement for all employees. Let’s examine those first. Youth Investment For starters, it’s time to invest in youth. Focusing earlier in the age timeline of creating our ideal employee may be where our best future lies. Nicole Forsyth, plant science instructor at Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole, MA, says most students at her school initially seek education in animal science. But she encourages them to consider plant science and challenges them to recognize the employment opportunities available at successful landscape companies—even right out of high school. She also recognizes that changing the mindset of parents may be the first hurdle. “Landscaping is not seen as noble work by parents,” she says. “I want them to recognize ...
Why Recruiting Women Is Your Next Power Move
The recent rally cry for labor has been unprecedented. Intensified need has owners venting their struggles to find and keep good help. But in our industry, it isn’t a new complaint. The revolving door of staffing has plagued the industry for decades. And while landscape business owners have become savvier employers, this post-pandemic climate has introduced new challenges; ones that are difficult to understand, and hard to overcome. Are women the untapped labor resource that we’ve been waiting for? Should we be strategically targeting female power to round out our teams? I say, “YES!” But there are no easy answers. The issues we are facing as owners go deeper than what gender we are courting for hire. There are nuances to how we recruit, build, and retain our teams that need refinement for all employees. Let’s examine those first. Youth Investment For starters, it’s time to invest in youth. Focusing earlier in the age timeline of creating our ideal employee may be where our best future lies. Nicole Forsyth, plant science instructor at Norfolk County Agricultural High School in Walpole, MA, says most students at her school initially seek education in animal science. But she encourages them to consider plant science and challenges them to recognize the employment opportunities available at successful landscape companies—even right out of high school. She also recognizes that changing the mindset of parents may be the first hurdle. “Landscaping is not seen as noble work by parents,” she says. “I want them to recognize ...
