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How Craftsmen Use Their Tools on Thanksgiving

Tools aren’t just good on a job site – they’re super handy in the kitchen too. But not just for kitchen remodels – you can use them to prepare your meals. There’s no better day for this than on Thanksgiving! Here are some ways that we’ve seen craftsmen using their power tools for turkey time: … Continue reading

Alternatives To The Christmas Party

Holidays get so busy for everyone, sometimes the idea of one more event feels like a burden instead of a gift for your craftsmen. Consider alternatives to the typical party to celebrate and bring the team together. There are many other ways to get them involved and excited to participate! It’s also an opportunity to … Continue reading

Holiday Bonus Ideas for your Craftsmen

Do you give a holiday bonus each year? Some companies do it only when they’ve had profitable years. Others – usually bigger size companies – often have policies set ahead of time to incentivize their staff from the beginning of the year. If you’re a smaller business, cash might be tight, so we wanted to … Continue reading

Military-Friendly Craftsmen Careers

If you’re a vet, you’ll make a great craftsman! And with the labor gap, you’re more likely to get hired. You’re used to working with your hands in the military, and may have already had experience in many of the tasks that these jobs require. Organizations like Helmets to Hardhats connects veterans to construction apprenticeships. … Continue reading

How Artificial Intelligence Is Preventing Worksite Injuries

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making huge waves in the construction industry and is being used on job sites around the country in a variety of ways. Essentially AI is the term for when a machine or computer performs human-like cognitive functions – such as pattern recognition, problem solving, and learning. Because it’s machine-driven, it can … Continue reading

Technology Is Making Construction Sites Safer

Many things have contributed to the recent decline in the amount of US Labor reported employer-reported workplace injuries and illnesses, including better equipment, training, and safer cultures. A big factor to all of those is the vast amount of technological innovations available to us in recent years and even just months! Here’s some of the … Continue reading

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