A mass labor shortage is delaying the country’s economic recovery. There are millions more job openings than available workers to fill the position sparking a war for labor between companies.
The battle to attract labor is forcing employers to stretch themselves thin in terms of resources, time, and energy. Another economic factor impacting employers is supply chain bottlenecks.
Supply chain issues are especially hurting those in the construction and roofing industries. Roofing companies have faced several delays in receiving key materials such as insulation, adhesives, plates, ISO boards, and more.
The delays and limited material access is constraining employers as it is leading to higher production costs and tightening margins. It is an issue that is exacerbated by high costs associated with hiring and retaining workers.
Fortunately, there is a solution to staffing shortages for roofing companies and it taps into an entirely new labor pool of immigrant workers.
Hiring EB3 visa workers is a viable and necessary solution for employers facing hiring challenges in the United States. This tactic is becoming more and more popular in industries like construction and hospitality.
Our team has decades of experience helping employers hire great EB3 candidates to fill their open roles and help businesses operate at great efficiency. Fill out our form to help us receive a greater understanding of your business and the type of worker you are searching for.
What is Causing the Shortage of Construction Workers and Roofers?
There are many factors contributing to the labor shortage that is being observed in the construction and roofing industry.
Although the situation is extremely nuanced, the biggest reason is the bullish economic development occurring in states such as Florida, Texas, New York, West Virginia, and others. The pandemic led to the great migration, a phenomenon which saw millions of America’s move cities and states for a plethora of reasons.
Many states are seeing an influx of new residents and as a result investing heavily in developing new apartments, office buildings, and homes. For many in the roofing companies, projects are ubiquitous but employer’s are unable to staff the projects.
In some instances, roofing companies are having to turn down projects because they are understaffed and can’t keep up with the rapid economic expansion in certain states. Another factor hurting the roofing industry is its aging workforce.
The roofing industry is staffed generally by older men and companies struggle to attract younger employees. As many in the roofing industry near retirement, birth rates continue to decline in the US indicating that the reduced labor pool will be a problem to be reckoned with for decades.
Fortunately, employers are able to lean on EB3 workers to fill their staff for years to come. Our team has found great EB3 candidates in dozens of countries around the world who we then help legally process and get them to the United States. Reach out today to learn more.
What is the EB3 Visa and How Does it Work?
The EB3 visa is an employment-based visa that allows foreign nationals to come to the United States and work. It contains three subcategories including in “professional”, “skilled”, and “unskilled” positions. It is one of many forms of visas offered by the United States, but the most applicable to employers looking for laborers to work roofing jobs.
Other popular EB3 jobs include those in the hospitality, construction, and restaurant industry. The EB3 visa is a great option for employers as it allows them to legally hire foreign nationals to come work in their business.
It is important to note that the EB3 visa process can be fairly lengthy so it is important to start the process well in advance of when you need the worker. However, EB3 workers tend to stay with their employers far longer than domestic workers due to complications with their visa status if they change jobs.
The employers we have worked with have observed significantly less turnover from their EB3 workers relative to their domestic workers.
How Long is The EB3 Hiring Process?
Generally, the process to hire EB3 category workers involves a minimal cost to the employer and takes between 12 and 18 months. It includes three major steps including the perm labor certification, the I-140 petition, and consular processing.
PERM Labor Certification:
The first step is to file a PERM labor certification with the Department of Labor. This step requires the employer to test the U.S. labor market to ensure that there are no willing and able American workers available to fill the position.
I-140 Petition:
Once the PERM is approved, the employer will then file an I-140 petition with USCIS. This petition establishes that the foreign worker meets all of the requirements for the EB3 visa category.
Consular Processing:
After USCIS approves the I-140 petition, the foreign worker will then complete consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. This process includes an interview, medical exam, and background check. Once consular processing is complete, the foreign worker will be issued a visa and can then travel to the United States.
The entire process can be extremely nuanced and technical in terms of legal work. Fortunately, we have decades of experience processing each and every step of the legal process ensuring it is executed in an efficient manner.
In a time when employers in the roofing industry are already facing many other challenges, we aim to provide a very seamless hiring process for their EB3 workers. Allow us to handle the tricky legal work while you shift your focus to other business operations.
Reach out to our team today to learn more about hiring EB3 visa workers for your roofing company.
