“Training has to be part of every job description for a skilled member of the company. We can’t stop teaching our entry level people,” Faggioli said.

The recent low unemployment and shrinking number of candidates has made recruiting more difficult. I believe that improved hiring practices are more important than ever. In a business's early years, the main objective is to find talent or skill that you need to expand. Later, once a company develops its process, I believe that the skill should come from within.

Character and work ethic becomes the most important traits in new hires. A candidate that has a good attitude and an honest interest in earning a living is better than experience any day. Any new hire has an impact on your existing staff. An apprentice that is sincerely appreciative for the opportunity will make an existing employee proud of his ability and willing to share. Training has to be part of every job description for a skilled member of the company. We can't stop teaching our entry level people.

I say hire fast and fire fast. This practice requires a larger pool to choose from and this does prove difficult. Trade shows, high school and college fairs are valuable. Social media helps improve your brand loyalty and improves traffic. Know going in that only one in five will make the cut in the first two weeks because skilled employees don't want to train unappreciative, slow moving, late arriving new guys. Ask your people if they need the new guy tomorrow and if their reply is no, fire him. No crew in the history of crews say no to a hustling helper.

David Faggioli

I believe that it is imperative to keep the bottom ladder rungs open for new members. It is difficult to have to fire a recent entry level member because they don't aspire to move from laborer to driver, operator or leader. The truth is that they are creating a log jam in the process that needs new blood.

David Faggioli is president of Delaware Valley Paving. Once a family business paving residential driveways, Delaware Valley Paving started serving strictly commercial clients and now offers in-house milling, paving, concrete replacement, seal coat and line-striping. The company has 60 employees and operates from Valley Forge, Pa.

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