How To Hire
Sprinkler and Fire Protection Techs
Some of the Facts
Well Trained Fire Protection Staff Are Hard To Find!
The Fire Protection Industry is in more demand every year and has an expected growth of 5-8% in the next few years. This means that more and more Sprinkler Fitters, Installers, Inspectors and Fire Protection Technicians will be needed. This is a trade that is already in high demand and like most Skilled Trades it is only going to get harder to find qualified Fire Protection Staff.
In the next several years it is expected that 26% of all Skilled Trades workers in the USA will be reaching retirement age, this includes Fire Protection Employees. Recent estimates state that in the near future there is going to be a 14% shortage of Fire Protection Technicians.
Recruiting by relying on a Job Board is not going to be enough. If you need to hire Fire Systems Installers, Technicians and Inspectors you will need an active recruitment strategy. Rockstar Fire can be that strategic partner, our service goes way beyond the job board focusing on direct and indirect recruitment strategies including networking, headhunting and referrals.
*Data from U.S. Bureau of Labor & National Fire Protection Association
What To Look For When Hiring Mechanics
The length of time that someone has worked in the trade can be important. While trade school is a great way to get started most of the learning is on the job. Equally important to length of time is what type of work they have been responsible for. When hiring make sure the experience they are bringing to the table is either a fit for what you need or at the very least highly transferable.
You will need for Installers and Technicians to be able to travel to customer sites to perform work. Ensure that they have a valid driver’s license and clean driving record. If you need assistance verifying this, Rockstar Fire can provide Driving Record checks for any candidates that are of interest.
Training and certification will only make a technician or installer more valuable. Key things to look for include:
Canada: Canadian Fire Alarm Association (CFAA), ASTTBC Certifications, Suppression/Clean Agent System Certification, 427A Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
USA:National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), American Fire Sprinkler Association (AFSA), State Fire Alarm Technician License, State Sprinkler Fitter License, National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET I/II)
Fire Safety Staff with a jumpy work history should be avoided. Sometimes there are valid reasons why they have moved around but typically if they have had short tenures at past employers it is a red flag and will likely end up with a short stay at your organization.
Hire Fast Or Lose Out
The duration it takes to bring new talent on board has witnessed a notable increase in the past five years. According to the Society for
Post & Pray Is Not A Recruiting Strategy!
Many companies rely on a rather passive recruiting strategy that involves posting a job ad on major job boards like Indeed or ZipRecruiter and waiting for applications to roll in. Unfortunately, this “post and pray” approach is not the most effective way to attract top talent. At best, it may lead to hiring candidates who are simply looking for a way out of their current situation.
Recruiting is Hard
Rockstar Can Help
Your Fire, Security, and Life Safety Business relies on your Service Technicians, Installers, and Inspectors. If they can’t get the job done your customers will go elsewhere. You need highly trained and certified fire prevention specialists that can hit the ground running. The problem is that Fire Alarm Technicians, Fire Alarm Installers, Kitchen and Fire Suppression Technicians, Sprinkler Fitters, and Security System Techs are in high demand and traditional recruiting methods do not go far enough. At Rockstar Recruiting, we go way beyond the job board and can get you:
- Access To Hard To Find Candidates
- Quick Service
- Guaranteed Results
- Criminal Background and Driving Record Checks
- Proactive Recruitment