With more than 100 projects ongoing at any given time, a nationwide shortage of skilled labor and increasing demand for precision in the field, Haskell has focused on growing and strengthening its workforce of Permanent Craft Employees (PCEs).
Haskell employs over 250 tradespeople through its PCE program, delivering self-performance expertise in concrete, steel fabrication, process mechanical systems and water treatment systems across the diverse markets and locations we serve – a vital component of the company’s commitment to quality, safety and production on every jobsite.
Spearheaded by Director of Field Technical Training Michael McLauchlan, the PCE Performance Standards Training Program has been designed to elevate technical competencies and build a stronger internal pipeline for field leadership roles.
Development of the training program began with a clear challenge: enhancing consistency and depth of field skillsets across critical construction scopes. After initially focusing on superintendent development, the training team expanded its efforts to address gaps among craft professionals. The solution was a layered system targeting nine core competencies:
- Safety
- Plan Reading
- Piping-Mechanical
- Leadership
- Construction Math
- Formwork Principles
- Construction Layout
- Rigging
- Concrete and Tilt-Up Wall Systems
The program is structured in three levels:
- The 100 Series features video-based knowledge training.
- The 200 Series progresses to hands-on skill application.
- The 300 Series encompasses in-field assessments.
Using a simple 0–3 scoring scale, Haskell’s field leaders and training specialists track progress and pinpoint areas for growth. The data collected through these modules provides a real-time, comprehensive view of each participant’s development. This allows trainers to deliver targeted, actionable feedback and enables team members to see where they stand, what they need to improve and how to get there.
“Our goal is to have 75% of our PCEs proficient in each focus area, and we’re making strong progress,” McLauchlan said. “When we started, overall competency was at 40%. Now, just a year in, we’ve climbed to 64%. In rigging alone, we’re already at 71%. That kind of growth means our teams can self-perform confidently, and our clients can count on consistent quality and safety.”
The rollout, part of the team’s 2030 Performance Mastery Program, includes next-level tools like QR code-accessible learning modules and a mobile text system for direct training access. Feedback has been positive, with rising demand from field teams seeking customized support.
“One week, we had 10 to 12 requests for additional training resources,” McLauchlan said.
Unlike certification-driven models, Haskell’s approach prioritizes skill-based learning aligned with jobsite realities. It integrates performance feedback from superintendents and adapts in real time to project needs. While rooted in PCE development, the training is available companywide, reinforcing Haskell’s strategic goal of providing team members with “the best job of their lives.”
The initiative was created with coordination support from Dana Routh, Development Specialist; Matt McElhinney, Instructional Designer; and Mike Osborne, Craft Development Specialist; and in collaboration with Tim Mosley, Director of Self-Performance, and with PCE coordination by Administrative Assistant Kandie Mathis, and Leadership support from David Bates and Lance Simons.
“It’s not a one-person program,” McLauchlan said. “This was built by a team, for the team, and we’re already seeing the return on that investment.”
As the program evolves, its scalable structure positions Haskell to address industrywide labor shortages and support long-term workforce development, which will continue to drive excellence across Haskell’s expanding project portfolio.
