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How Craftsman Recruiters Make Sure You Get The Best Every Day

With the labor gap, the job market for the trades is more candidate-driven right now – especially for the most talented. In addition, 73% of candidates in all industries are passive job seekers! Which means that they’re generally not desperate to get hired and can choose the positions that they really want. Top candidates, in … Continue reading

Resources For Women Interested In The Trades

There’s such an urgent need for skilled workers in the trades, this is a great time for women to enter the field. In fact, a career in the trades will often pay more than most office jobs that women traditionally have been hired for, and the pay gap is much more narrow than most industries!. … Continue reading

Craftsmen Are At Risk For Suicide – Why & What to Look Out For

The national suicide rate is at a 50-year high, climbing 33% since 1999, recently at an estimated 25,000 Americans dying by suicide in 2016 alone. Men who work in construction are the biggest segment of that group, with the highest suicide rates in the country, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Reed … Continue reading

Screws 101

In the past, nails were used more often as fasteners, but screws – along with drivers and drills – have improved so much in the last few decades. There is such a wide variety of applications and finishes, they can now can be used for almost any application. We all know the miracle of a … Continue reading

Unique Bathroom & Outhouse Construction Innovations

Madden was integral in designing and the Portland Loo, the city’s famous standalone bathroom found on sidewalks around town. Because public toilets have a history of problems – often subject to vandalism and damage in short time – they worked closely with the City of Portland to create a public restroom that is uniquely made … Continue reading

Great YouTube Channels for Craftsmen

There are some really fantastic YouTube videos online that give incredibly useful building project examples and tips from talented craftsmen. Whether you’re searching for some guidance, or just want to be entertained, these are some channels to peek at: The Essential Craftsman Scott Wadsworth from Roseburg Oregon hosts videos related to blacksmithing, general construction, … Continue reading

Industry Partners Come Together for Manufacturing Innovation

We all in know that there are more jobs to fill than craftsmen that are able to fill them. It can be frustrating as an employer when you know you could do more work if you could just find the team to get it built right! Madden Industrial Craftsmen is helping to bridge labor gap … Continue reading

How Education is Changing and Affecting The Trades

More and more students are starting to consider work in the trades again, rather than going to college for traditional blue collar work after graduation. That’s because the labor gap has helped make the trades a more competitive career path. And if you’re a fan of Mike Rowe from Dirty Jobs, you know that he’s … Continue reading

How to Make Your Craftsmen Feel Valued

Your construction projects will go much smoother when your craftsmen feel like a valued part of the team. And there are ways to do it, even if they are on temporary placement! Here are our suggestions for making sure that your team feels rewarded and cared for: Monitor Weather Conditions Keep an eye out for … Continue reading

How to Negotiate a Better Job Offer in the Trades

Negotiating a better offer in the trades can be tricky, especially if it’s a union job. The key is to really understand why you’re going back to renegotiate. Just because you know that trade labor is in high demand, doesn’t mean that they’ll pay you more just because you want more money. They have their … Continue reading

Ways to Make Your Building Project Eco-Friendly

We’re ahead of most of the country here in Portland, where Eco-friendly ‘green’ building has been a trend for awhile. The rest of the world is quickly catching up, and it’s increasingly common for there to be local laws and code regulations that save energy and support other sustainability efforts. Here are some ways that … Continue reading

5 Great Summer Tool Hacks

There’s a ton of great ways to use your tools creatively! Thank goodness, because sometimes you need to modify a tool or use it in the way it wasn’t exactly intended in order to get the job done. Here’s some of our favorite ways to cleverly use your tools this summer: Hole in the Ground … Continue reading

Non Residential Lighting Trends

Good lighting is important because it can truly enhance the environment for the inhabitant users. And on the construction side, we need to conform to applicable codes and standards, including any new energy code requirements. More and more research has shown the importance of light to health and productivity. Research shows that LED lighting in … Continue reading

Why Style Matters

The first impression you make is almost 100% based on your appearance. It’s not because people are shallow, but simply because they don’t know you yet! They can’t judge you on character until they’ve had a chance to interact with you and get to know you more. Until then, style is how you communicate with … Continue reading

How To Improve Communications On A Building Project

Because there are so many stakeholders in a building project, good communication is one of the keys to a smooth construction process. The communication in a project can fall apart in several different areas: communication between the clients and the contractor, communication between leadership and the craftsmen, and communication on the site. Not only will … Continue reading