How to Hire & Keep Great People in Construction (Even When Everyone Else Is Struggling)

Welcome to Episode of I’m The Gaffer Gavin Coyle talks hiring, retention & culture with Traci Austin, the HR expert who builds high-performing teams for blue-collar businesses. If you’re tired of bad hires costing you time/money, rockstars leaving, or struggling to build a real team culture – this episode is your blueprint. We cover: – Why most contractors hire the wrong people (and how to stop it tomorrow) – The scorecard system that aligns behaviours, culture & skills – “Behaviours you allow” = your real company culture – Creative compensation beyond salary (without breaking the bank) – Light duties done right vs wrong – Holding people accountable without burning bridges – Seasons of life – why one-size-fits-all pay/packages fail – Traci’s free resources (links below) Sponsored by Hustro.com – the simplest construction management software on the planet. Episode Highlights 00:00 Intro + Hustro sponsor 00:26 Innovative employee deals (virtual shares, financial coaching) 03:22 Traci’s journey – 24 years building HR for trades 05:34 The scorecard that changes everything 12:31 Culture = behaviours you allow (or don’t) 17:43 Hustro.com mid-roll ad 23:04 Creative packages beyond salary 28:23 Light duties – good vs dangerous 31:18 “Happy alumni” pathway – how to part ways well 36:31 Seasons of life & personalized motivation 40:21 Bucket list questions every leader should ask 45:44 Traci’s free scorecard & tough talk blueprint CONNECT WITH TRACI LinkedIn → Search “Traci Austin.” Website → elevatedtalentconsulting.com Podcast → The People Strategy Podcast SPONSOR Hustro.com – 75 % less time on inspections & reports Start free → https://hustro.com/gavin I'm The Gaffer, hosted by industry expert Gavin Coyle, is the essential podcast for construction people, offering insider insights, expert interviews, and actionable strategies to blueprint unprecedented success in the dynamic world of construction. Whether you are still ‘on the tools’, just getting started, a seasoned site manager focused on large-scale project management, or a fast-growth building industry entrepreneur/developer, this podcast is for you. Gavin's guests, ranging from influential thought leaders to boots-on-the-ground practitioners, share their stories, successes, and failures, and offer invaluable lessons and tips, allowing you to have a 360-degree view of the construction landscape. This podcast is a must-have shared learning space for any person looking to achieve success in the building industry. As a construction person, this podcast is your go-to source for navigating the complexities of the construction industry, where success is not just built; it's crafted with precision, passion, and the right knowledge. I’m The Gaffer, available on Apple https://bit.ly/ImTheGaffer Spotify https://bit.ly/ImTheGafferSpotify YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@imthegafferpodcast Website https://www.imthegaffer.com/ #ImTheGaffer #constructionpodcast #construction #constructionbusiness #safetytips #business #podcast