Many industries, commercial cleaning and facility maintenance included, continue to face an on-going skills gap. This is especially concerning as many trades workers retired during or after the pandemic, leaving a labour shortage throughout the industry and a growing concern about the future of the workforce for the next generation.
What are some of the challenges the industry is facing when trying to recruit candidates from Gen Z?
Lack of information
While trades and vocational schools provide a stable, reliable, and long-term career path for many, there is a stigma associated with careers like commercial cleaning for 76 per cent of Gen Z, and that may be because it’s a path they have not considered. 61 per cent said their parents haven’t spoken to them about vocational school, with some even telling their children to avoid that path. To that end, 17 per cent of Gen Z said they hadn’t learned about the benefits of vocational training until after high school, making it a lesser-known path than bachelor’s degrees, community college, and entrepreneurship.
Misconceptions
It seems that many Gen Z-ers may have impressions about the trades that do not accurately reflect the industry. When asked what job amenities are most appealing, the availability of flexible hours was the top answer (73 per cent), followed by job stability (61 per cent), and overtime pay (58 per cent), but these amenities are offered by many jobs from commercial cleaning and beyond. As well, nearly half of respondents (48 per cent) agree that women are discouraged from pursuing careers in similar fields from a young age, possibly adding to the misconceptions around this type of employment.
A path forward
How can commercial cleaning companies attract Gen-Z candidates? The good news is that the industry is moving in the right direction in aligning with many of this generation’s top concerns like innovation and technology, sustainability, company culture, and employee wellness. Gen Z is also motivated to learn so companies offering professional development opportunities will set themselves apart and have more of an appeal for candidates. Commercial cleaning companies that focus on aligning with Gen Z and their future employees may have an advantage with tomorrow’s labour force.
