Home Depot Launches Job Seeker Marketplace
As the labor shortage persists, Home Depot is looking to fill existing gaps. To do so, it has launched a job seeker marketplace that will connect skilled tradespeople with those looking to hire in the construction and home improvement fields.
Job seekers interested in participating can create a profile on PathtoPro.com. Here they will need to upload a resume and add any photos related to their work, and can add skills badges to reflect niche talents that require accredited training. Job seekers will also be able to note if they are a U.S. military veteran and if they have graduated from The Home Depot’s free trades training program. Local Pro customers at The Home Depot who are looking to hire will then be able to search the site for prospects.
The effort is part of The Home Depot’s Path to Program initiative, which launched in 2021 and offers a free, self-paced training program for those interested in pursuing a career in the trades. The program covers basics such as job site safety, navigating tools, construction materials, team building, and communication skills. Participants learn how to get started in the areas of general construction, electrical, HVAC, and plumbing.
The Home Depot hopes to make the hiring process more transparent, citing results from a survey launched in partnership with Morning Consult which found that half of trades professionals say that determining whether an application is qualified for a job is an obstacle to hiring.
"There is not a leading jobseeker platform for the skilled trades and The Home Depot is committed to connecting skilled tradespeople with our Pro customers for jobs," said Eric Schelling, vice president of global talent acquisition at The Home Depot.
"The Path to Pro Network was designed to provide jobseekers with new career networking opportunities in the trades. Building a profile in the Path to Pro Network is the best way to showcase to potential employers that you have what it takes to work in the skilled trades," Schelling added.
While the construction industry is vastly different from general retail, training is lacking across both categories. According to RIS’ “The Evolving State of Workforce Management” report, most new hires across the retail industry (65%) only receive one week or less of training, while 25% receive just one to three days of onboarding.
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Several brands, however, have prioritized training. While different from The Home Depot’s marketplace strategy, companies like Best Buy, Burton Snowboards, and Starbucks have launched comprehensive training programs. Levi’s, for example, has its own machine bootcamp.
