No industry is safe when it comes to labor shortage concerns, especially the work truck industry. As times change and negotiations are made, it’s imperative to seek other avenues to attract and retain talented employees, such as improving safety, investing in training, implementing beneficial technology, and bettering work conditions. Powerfleet’s Justin SCHNEIDER, manager of solutions consulting, shares his insight for construction fleets.
MWS: CAN YOU GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF POWERFLEET FOR OUR READERS?
SCHNEIDER: Powerfleet is a global leader of internet of things (IoT) software-as-a-service solutions that optimizes the performance of mobile assets and resources to unify business operations. Our data science insights and advanced modular software solutions help drive digital transformation through its customers’ and partners’ ecosystems to help save lives, time, and money. Powerfleet helps connect companies, which enables customers and their customers to realize more effective strategies and results.
MWS: FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, WHAT ARE SOME FACTORS THAT ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE WORKER SHORTAGE?
SCHNEIDER: Several factors are contributing to a challenging environment for hiring in the construction industry. Among these factors are the aging workforce and the pandemic-induced turnover, where workers may have switched to unrelated fields. These elements have collectively resulted in a shortage of prospects for recruitment and retention. The issues shed light on the workforce’s shortcomings, and the unprecedented set of challenges makes it difficult to find new workers.
In today’s era, workers place an increased emphasis on safety, job perception, on-the-job training, and recognition for their skilled labor. Conversely, companies seeking to hire potential workers often encounter a lack of motivation and skill sets that had once been seen in the workforce prior to the current shortage. Addressing these factors collectively can pave the way for both companies and workers to move forward.
MWS: HOW CAN FLEET OWNERS/OPERATORS ALLEVIATE THOSE CONCERNS?
SCHNEIDER: Addressing the concerns surrounding the worker shortage is akin to solving a puzzle, with various pieces contributing to a comprehensive solution. There isn’t a single magical solution to attract more workers, but assembling these pieces can paint a promising picture of a job environment that entices potential workers.
It all starts with consistently recognizing that workers are the most valuable assets within a company. This core belief should guide fleet owners and operators in understanding and meeting the needs of potential workers, thus encouraging their return to the workforce. Putting themselves in the shoes of potential workers can be a pivotal step in the right direction.
Actively listening to, realistically considering, and prioritizing the key desires of new workers while acknowledging their input and skills can provide fleet owners and operators with valuable insights. Recognizing that workers are a company’s greatest asset, addressing concerns should include a strong focus on workplace safety, providing adequate time for training and onboarding to ensure worker comfort in the field, and leveraging technology to streamline manual and time-consuming processes. These steps collectively demonstrate the importance of workers within the company and can help attract and retain talent.
MWS: WHAT KIND OF TECHNOLOGY OR TOOLS IS POWERFLEET USING TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND WORK CONDITIONS? HOW DO THEY ENHANCE THE SAFETY OF CONSTRUCTION FLEETS?
SCHNEIDER: Powerfleet offers an advanced fleet intelligence platform, Unity, as well as a diverse range of products designed to accomplish more than just enhancing safety and work conditions within fleets. To illustrate a few noteworthy examples, Powerfleet can monitor vehicle and equipment fault codes, provide immediate notifications of issues, detect cell phone usage while driving, and aggregate a comprehensive set of vehicle or construction equipment data—regardless of the manufacturer.
Our Unity platform empowers fleet managers with comprehensive control and mission-critical insights into their operations, enabling informed decision-making. Within the Unity platform, Powerfleet’s Safety and Security module stands out, translating vast amounts of fleet vehicle data into a digestible dashboard. This module presents an array of safety incidents within the fleet, compares safety scores, and records potential collision or theft situations. Fleet managers can monitor risky driving behavior, which can reduce the risk of accidents. It also delivers a thorough collision reconstruction, including video footage, accelerometer graph, and weather information, which helps with facilitating insurance claims and exonerating drivers not at fault.
Another essential feature of Unity is the integrated DashCam solution that simplifies monitoring risky driving behaviors. The DashCam will assist in coaching the driver—empowering the worker to correct their actions prior to the alert being created. Addressing these issues is vital for preventing serious accidents and potential financial liabilities.
Powerfleet’s Sustainability module, another integral part of Unity, offers user-friendly data displays on fuel consumption, EV charging details, and vehicle and driver efficiency. The data collection capabilities extend to calculating critical metrics like CO2, and supports organizations in achieving their ESG initiatives.
MWS: HAVE THERE BEEN ANY PARTNERSHIPS OR COLLABORATIONS POWERFLEET HAS PARTICIPATED IN TO CONTINUE ENHANCING ITS SAFETY FEATURES?
SCHNEIDER: We take great pride in our commitment to building strong partnerships with our customers. We value the feedback we receive from customers, which plays a vital role in enhancing our existing safety features, crafting new ones, and continuously improving every aspect of Powerfleet’s offerings. Powerfleet has continuously excelled with this approach as many of our most useful features originated from discussions with customers. These purpose-driven solutions ensure that all our customers actively contribute valuable input and suggestions that will shape the future of our products and services.
MWS: WHAT ARE STEPS OWNERS/OPERATORS CAN TAKE TO MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITION WITH THESE TOOLS AND ALREADY EXISTING SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES?
SCHNEIDER: We collaborate closely with customers to tailor a solution that guarantees a smooth transition and seamless integration. Owners and operators should actively involve their internal workforce in discussions about the advantages of introducing new tools that complement and enhance existing ones. Implementing change can be challenging, especially when long-established processes and workforce habits are deeply ingrained in the culture. Taking a proactive approach to develop and implement a change in the management strategy—with guidance and support of Powerfleet—becomes crucial for fostering acceptance and ensuring a smooth transition.
MWS: ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?
SCHNEIDER: While the construction industry has seen the emergence of various technologies, it remains somewhat lagging compared to other sectors. This technological gap results in a heavier reliance on manual labor and costly, time-consuming processes, often leading to safety issues stemming from limited visibility and lack of focus. Construction firms that embrace technology can empower their workforce to concentrate on crucial tasks and reduce mundane administrative work. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that embracing modern-day solutions yields benefits in areas of safety, time, and costs.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Justin Schneider is an accomplished industry solutions consultant who is relied upon by businesses seeking comprehensive improvements in fleet and asset management across all facets of their operations. For more, visit www.powerfleet.com.
