Groundworks aims to train 5,000 business leaders to meet the maintenance challenge
They are lowA major foundation repair and water management company, plans to create 5,000 skilled trades jobs over the next five years as demand for structural and moisture repair increases across aging US homes, the company said.
The Virginia Beach, Virginia-based company, which operates 84 offices in the US and Canada, called the plan the largest increase in staff in its history. The layoffs follow an estimated $31 million in dividends the company paid in January to nearly 5,000 employee-owners, with payouts ranging from two to four weeks’ pay depending on the position, according to the announcement.
Groundworks framed the move as both a growth strategy and a response to increasing maintenance needs in existing homes. More than 1.5 million homeowners have received repairs from the Groundworks family of products since 1972, the company said, citing the increasing challenges of structural and water intrusion in older homes.
For residential builders, developers and investors, the plan is another sign that labor volume on the repair, restoration and consolidation side of the business will likely grow faster than new construction, where the shortage of skilled trades remains acute. Foundation and water management contractors sit at the intersection of building performance, risk management and long-term asset value, especially in aging single-family and multi-family buildings.
Groundworks said it targets high school graduates, career changers, military veterans, women and others from non-traditional backgrounds, positioning the roles as one of four-year college. The company said it offers on-the-job training, formal development programs and career paths that can move field workers into leadership roles quickly.
According to the company, executive positions can average about $92,000 in annual salary after one year in the role, depending on performance and market, and about 1,000 of the 5,000 new positions are slated as leadership roles. The expansion will extend to all existing markets and new territories as the company continues its acquisition and de novo growth strategies.
“Our mission has always been to protect homes and the people who live in them. These 5,000 jobs mean that homeowners across North America will have access to skilled professionals who can protect their largest investment,” said Matt Malone, founder and executive chairman of Groundworks, in a statement. “We give all employees ownership in our success, and we prove that entrepreneurship can provide real jobs with real rewards. That’s what sets us apart.”
Groundworks has also worked with television host Mike Rowe on a series of content, “Walk Down with Rowe,” aimed at raising the profile of trade work and addressing the perception gap that has led many high school graduates away from construction and maintenance jobs.
“Groundworks is growing at a time when many companies are retreating,” Rowe said. “But it’s not just that they’re growing – how it’s happening. They’re giving people a real stake in the outcome. Not just creating jobs but building leaders. Anyone willing to show up, learn a skill, and take pride in their work has the opportunity to own their success.”
The pledge comes as renovators, general contractors and remodeling firms report tight pipelines associated with postponed repairs, extreme weather events and investor interest in maintaining and developing single-family rental properties. For owners of large portfolios of nursing homes, local access to a trained foundation and water management staff is increasingly a factor in hold-versus-sell decisions and capex-planning.
Groundworks did not provide a detailed description of the location of the 5,000 planned jobs, but said new roles and development opportunities will be created “over the next five years in both existing and new locations.”
“This commitment is about investing in the people who will be key to that growth,” said Malone. “We are looking for men and women who want to create jobs and have an impact on their communities.”
For housing and construction managers, the move underscores a broader shift in the labor market: while many manufacturing builders continue to struggle with subcontractor availability, some specialty contractors are using ownership models, accelerated development and structured training to differentiate themselves from the competition for top talent.
To learn more about the program or to apply for a position, candidates are directed to www.groundworks.com/skilled-trades/.
About Groundworks
Founded by a combination of regional brands, Groundworks describes itself as the leading foundation maintenance and water management solutions company in North America. Inc. The nine-time 5000 honoree operates 84 offices across the US and Canada and says its products have served more than 1 million homeowners. More information is available at www.groundworks.com.
