Undocumented Workers: Advice from Immigration Attorney Jorge Molina

According to Forbes, over 40% of the US construction workforce is expected to retire over the next decade. The fact is the construction industry faces a workforce shortage and according to Associated Builders and Contractors that shortage is up to 650,000 in 2022. This means every worker is critical including workers that came to our country looking for work. For many installation contractors, migrant workers fill key roles in the operation of their company. But the rules, regulations and liabilities around these practices can be confusing for workers and employers alike. We’ve invited immigration attorney Jorge Molina on the show to chat with IDI’s Business Development expert Ken Allison. They discuss the best practices to protect your employees and your company.

Jorge Molina is the founder of the J. Molina Law Firm in Arlington Texas. He has worked hard to protect and help build his clients’ American Dreams and prides himself in leveling the playing field for his clients. Whether defending someone facing deportation, or a company trying to expand its business.

In this podcast…

3:11 – What type of help are people looking for from an immigration attorney?

6:39 – The long road of immigration court

10:00 – The best advice to give to your undocumented workers

18:29 – “Can undocumented workers operate company equipment?” and other liability questions

21:09 – The importance of the worker’s perspective

25:04 – How business interests could be the key to solving the immigration crisis in the U.S.

The Inflation Reduction Act: Key Strategies For Finding Workers and Working With State Energy Offices

The Inflation Reduction Act is set to provide a lot of subsidies and other resources to contractors. But unless you know the details, you may not be able to maximize them for your business. That’s why we’ve invited Xavier Walter on the show to chat with IDI’s Business Development expert Ken Allison. They explain how you can get access to these benefits and how to best utilize them to hire and retain the best talent.

Xavier is the State Outreach Coordinator with the Building Performance Association. He is a certified energy auditor and contractor building science trainer for over 15 years in the home performance industry. He’s going to share some of his experience and how he built and ultimately sold his company by building a team of professionals, many who are still in the industry today. We discuss these rebates, how you can make sure your state actually takes advantage of them, and how to recruit, onboard, and retain workers by providing a clear career pathway.

For more on the Inflation Reduction Act Bill, read here: https://www.idi-insulation.com/what-does-the-inflation-reduction-act-mean-for-you-and-your-company/

In this podcast…

3:06 – Why this money is NOT a guarantee for contractors and what you can do about it

7:12 – What can you do to start adding labor for new construction projects?

12:45 – Training and wage subsidies options

15:59 – Thinking differently about what newer generations of workers want

23:28 – Rethinking employee benefits for better worker retention

Doing Things The Right Way with Suburban Manufacturing

Doing things the right way, even when it’s harder, will help you maintain a business with great customer relationships and a reputation that attracts more customers. That’s a philosophy that is central to the success of Suburban Manufacturing and our guest today, Mike May.

Mike is the Product Manager of the Python division at Suburban Manufacturing, which is headquartered in Monticello, Minnesota. He has been working with the spray foam industry since Suburban first launched the Sidewinder Spray Foam Sleeve back in 2016, with his main focus being new product development, product line management, and new business development.

Mike takes us behind the scenes and tells us how Suburban tests the innovative products that you count on to protect your rig.

In this podcast…

1:00 – The importance of doing things the right way

6:00 – All of the industries that Suburban Manufacturing designs solutions for

8:23 – Keeping the contractor off the hook for very expensive hoses

11:26 – How Suburban uses “Stage Gate” to ensure that products that go to market solve the biggest problems

15:43 – Why Suburban partners with IDI to get products into contractor’s hands

17:48 – Why do people love to use the Sidewinder Hose Wrap and how the thermal elements helps contractors in all climates

23:29 – How Suburban developed a drum blanket that was actually easy to store

29:00 – Finding the best place for a drum blanket temperature