The COVID pandemic accelerated retirement rates and caused an increase in the number of experienced snowfighters resigning, being furloughed or laid off. Some vacated positions have been eliminated or indefinitely frozen as the economy sharply declined and agencies had to cut budgets. Though the economy has rebounded, the outlook for the next year or so is still cautious. Prior to the pandemic, agencies were struggling to recruit and retain qualified and quality employees, especially roadway maintenance workers. That has been exacerbated by many job-seekers becoming more selective; road maintenance, and winter operations in particular, are regarded as low-skill, low-pay, dead-end positions. Much needs to be done to attract and hold good employees to build the ”pipeline” of future candidates. This presentation will discuss what agencies can do to recruit and retain critically needed snowplow operators.
Contributor/Source
Dave Bergner
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