How to Build a Skilled Team and Retain Top Technicians in Elevator Contracting
- Dec 18, 2025
- 3 min read
In the elevator contracting industry, skilled technicians are your most valuable asset—and your hardest resource to secure. Whether you focus on elevator installation, maintenance, modernization, or repair, building and retaining a reliable workforce directly impacts safety, profitability, and long-term growth.
This guide outlines proven strategies elevator contractors use to attract top talent, reduce turnover, and protect their workforce, while positioning your company as an employer of choice.
Why Workforce Challenges Are So Common in Elevator Contracting
Elevator technicians operate in a high-skill, high-risk, and highly regulated environment. Industry-wide labor shortages, an aging workforce, and increasing compliance requirements make hiring and retention difficult.
Common workforce challenges include:
Limited pipeline of certified technicians
High training costs
Technician burnout from emergency calls and overtime
Safety concerns and injury risk
Competition from larger national firms
Contractors who solve these challenges early gain a significant competitive advantage.
Recruiting Skilled Elevator Technicians
1. Build a Long-Term Talent Pipeline
Successful elevator contractors don’t rely on last-minute hiring. They invest in future talent.
Effective recruiting strategies include:
Partnering with trade schools and technical programs
Supporting apprenticeship and mentorship models
Recruiting from related mechanical and electrical trades
Read More: Workforce development resources from the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC)
2. Hire for Attitude, Train for Skill
Technical skills matter—but reliability, safety awareness, and professionalism matter just as much.
When hiring:
Prioritize candidates who demonstrate accountability and problem-solving
Use structured onboarding and training programs
Pair new hires with experienced technicians
This approach reduces early turnover and improves job site safety.
Training and Certification: A Retention Strategy
Technicians are more likely to stay with companies that invest in their growth.
Best practices include:
Ongoing training for new elevator technologies
Safety and compliance refreshers
Clear certification pathways and advancement opportunities
Training isn’t a cost—it’s an investment in safety, quality, and retention.
Reducing Burnout and Improving Technician Retention
1. Smarter Scheduling and Workload Balance
Excessive overtime and emergency calls are leading causes of technician burnout.
Retention-focused contractors:
Rotate on-call schedules fairly
Use preventive maintenance to reduce emergency work
Optimize routing to reduce travel time
Check Now: Field service scheduling tools at Software Advice – FSM Solutions
2. Competitive Compensation and Benefits
Top technicians know their value. Competitive packages often include:
Performance-based bonuses
Paid training and certifications
Health benefits and retirement options
Safety incentives
Creating a Culture of Safety and Trust
In elevator contracting, safety isn’t just compliance—it’s retention.
Technicians stay with employers who:
Take safety seriously
Provide proper PPE and equipment
Protect employees if an incident occurs
This is where insurance becomes part of your employee value proposition, not just a business requirement.
Protecting Your Workforce with the Right Insurance
Elevator contractors operate in a high-risk environment. Protecting your technicians protects your business.
Essential coverage includes:
Gaps in coverage can lead to lost employees, financial strain, and damaged reputation.
Wexford Insurance works exclusively with elevator contractors nationwide, helping business owners design insurance programs that support workforce stability and growth.
Long-Term Benefits of a Strong Team
Elevator contractors with stable, skilled teams benefit from:
Fewer accidents and claims
Higher client satisfaction
Lower training and hiring costs
Stronger reputation with property managers and GCs
Improved profitability
Your people are your brand—and your biggest risk if unprotected.
Final Thoughts
Building and retaining a skilled team in elevator contracting requires intentional recruiting, continuous training, smart scheduling, and a strong safety culture. Contractors who invest in their workforce—and protect it with the right insurance—build stronger, more profitable businesses that stand the test of time.
Wexford Insurance helps elevator contractors protect their teams, contracts, and future growth—so you can focus on building the business you want.
Contact us today.
