ACE Electric has added more than 500 employees on a net basis this year, but the electrical contractor had to hire approximately 700 people to reach that gain because of employee turnover.
Human Resources Director Mindy Bates described the company’s experience during reporting on the new AGC-NCCER construction workforce survey released September 3. ACE is based in Valdosta, Georgia, and has been expanding into markets including Columbus, Ohio, where data center construction is creating substantial electrical demand.
ACE now brings new employees to Valdosta for a weeklong orientation covering safety, company culture, benefits and career paths. Traveling employees previously could be sent directly to their first project.
The contractor has also expanded internal workforce-development programs for field crew managers, superintendents, project managers and estimators. Bates said the combination of orientation, workforce planning and training has reduced turnover by more than 40 percentage points during the past two years.
ACE uses written and hands-on skill assessments for new hires. When a worker’s demonstrated ability falls below the classification claimed during recruitment, the company may offer a lower classification and wage instead of immediately ending employment. Bates said 83% of workers receiving those offers during the past year accepted them.
Labor availability is also affecting bidding decisions. Bates said ACE sometimes turns down work because it lacks the leadership needed for large projects, particularly hyperscale data centers.
ENR reported ACE’s workforce figures September 3 as part of its analysis of the national AGC-NCCER survey.
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