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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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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 …
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As you know, Madden helps all kinds of craftsmen find good work, Whether you’re a millwright, mechanic, carpenter, engineers, machinist, or welder, we’ve got access to permanent, temp to permanent, and temporary assignments. And, with the new Madden Apprenticeship Program, we’ve got opportunities for apprentice placement too. This gives our employer clients lots of options …
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We know you’ve probably experienced some nightmare clients, but don’t forget plenty of clients can tell some pretty awful stories about their construction project too. At Madden we’ve found that there are some pretty common errors that give construction companies a bad reputation. Here is a summary of the main things that clients hate, so …
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Similar to a book or movie, you’re more likely to remember the beginning and the end of most situations and interactions; it’s the middle part that’s usually a bit more fuzzy. This is true for interviews too! Which is why we’re always talking about making a good first impression. But you’ve got to leave a …
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Digital innovations are doing a lot to make HVAC systems more efficient, and thankfully more convenient and comfortable too!! Here are some of the solutions that have been introduced recently due to these new
Nationwide, only about 7% of the trades are made up of women, and in Portland, OR, it’s only slightly higher at 9%. Many women haven’t traditionally considered a job in the trades, largely because there’s not a lot of examples in popular culture that depict female construction workers, truck drivers, and other blue collar jobs. …
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Yes, the labor gap might be making it difficult for you to hire talent. But there are lots of skilled craftsmen out there – we see them every day! That’s why we encourage you to examine the many other reasons why you haven’t been able to hire top talent. And the biggest obstacle to hiring …
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Showing that you’re confident and comfortable with yourself is one of the best skills in life, whether you’re looking for a job, date, or success of any kind. Confidence really does start on the inside, so start by being self-aware and unafraid to simply be the man that you are. However, body language can help …
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