Drew Golin’s Post

Saturday Morning Share #4: “My Mission to Fix the Apartment Maintenance Shortage.” There's a saying that profoundly resonates with me – ask your children what problem they want to solve in the world to guide them towards their profession. I've always tried to inspire this sense of purpose in my own children, nudging them to dream big, think creatively, and step into roles they feel passionate about. Recently, it was my turn to reflect on this wisdom as I was completing my full time work in the light industrial industry this spring. When I considered my past work in the apartment industry, I felt a strong pull back, a sense of unfinished work. I knew it was time to return to Apartment Staffing, but this time with a clear and compelling focus: addressing the looming challenge of an estimated shortfall of 130,000 maintenance professionals in the next decade. Why is this such an important problem to address? If you're not in the apartment industry, imagine life in an apartment community where you live that has subpar maintenance support. It stinks, like literally stinks. Residents deserve prompt attention to issues in their home. A depleted maintenance team doesn't just affect the appearance of the environment; it severely impacts residents' quality of life and is a main driver for resident retention. To accomplish this goal of welcoming thousands of new maintenance technicians, the entire industry must pull together. We need to recognize that each company might be the first and only experience a potential recruit has with the apartment industry. It's crucial that we align our messaging and actions to ensure that when someone shows interest, we captivate them with content that truly resonates. We also need to become more visible in the community, showcasing the benefits of this career. I believe it’s up to the associations and committees within the industry to create a call to action, leading the charge to engage potential talent through community events like job fairs, school outreach, and participation in local celebrations. I'm more than equipped to play my part in this mission, having previously built a national apartment maintenance service from scratch and taking the lead in establishing an apartment training program back in the early 2000’s. Part of my mission now is to create world-class talent engagement platforms, skills development and mentoring programs. I say let’s TEAM UP! Get out in the community and align our messaging. Together, let's shape the future, one added maintenance professional at a time. Welcome to "Saturday Morning Shares,” where I unravel the captivating insights from my weekly deep dives into HR/Staffing Tech, the Apartment Industry, and Strategic Planning. It's my space to digest, share, and spark conversations on the ideas that kept me wide awake and deeply engrossed. Let's explore together.