What Today’s Hiring Market Means for Data Center and Industrial Projects with Matt Dalton
As demand for data centers, manufacturing facilities, and industrial projects continues to surge, hiring the right people has become one of the biggest challenges facing project teams. We sat down with Matt Dalton, Client Business Manager at FootBridge, to discuss what he’s hearing from clients, where demand is highest for data center and industrial projects, and how companies can stay ahead in today’s competitive talent market.
Q: Matt, what are you hearing from clients right now?
Matt Dalton: Predictability is everything. Whether it’s a data center, manufacturing facility, or another large industrial project, delays are extremely costly. Our clients are under pressure to hit aggressive schedules, and they know one staffing gap can offset the entire project. More than ever, they’re looking for partners who can help eliminate uncertainty and keep projects moving.
Q: What are some of the biggest hiring challenges clients are bringing to you?
Matt Dalton: With so many major data center and industrial projects happening simultaneously across the country, local talent pools are incredibly thin. It’s no longer enough to post a job and hope the right candidate applies.
Many of our clients are looking for stable, vetted travelers—professionals who are willing to relocate, stay for the duration of the project, and have experience working in these demanding environments. They need people who can step in quickly and contribute from day one.
Q: Which roles are seeing the greatest demand across the data center and industrial markets?
Matt Dalton: Oversight and support roles continue to be some of the hardest positions to fill in data center and industrial projects. In the data center market especially, demand for Safety Professionals, Commissioning Specialists, and Superintendents has been unprecedented this year.
These aren’t positions you can leave vacant for long, as they’re critical to maintaining safety, coordinating teams, and keeping projects on schedule.
Q: When clients engage FootBridge, what are they really looking for beyond resumes?
Matt Dalton: They’re looking for risk mitigation and speed.
A resume only tells part of the story. Our clients want to know whether someone has worked on projects of a similar scale, understands the software being used, and can thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment. They’re also looking for cultural fit because these teams need to work together from day one.
At the end of the day, clients are buying peace of mind. They want confidence that the person they’re hiring can get the job done without creating additional risk for the project.
Q: How does FootBridge help clients navigate high-volume or hard-to-fill hiring situations?
Matt Dalton: We don’t just advertise positions and wait for applications. Because we specialize in these industries, we already have relationships with professionals who work in this space.
When clients need to scale quickly, our recruiting teams deploy targeted staff augmentation strategies to identify qualified talent. We essentially become an extension of our client’s project team, handling the recruiting process so they can stay focused on managing the project itself.
That level of specialization allows us to move faster while still maintaining quality.
Q: When evaluating candidates, what qualities matter most today?
Matt Dalton: Technical experience will always matter, but one area that’s become increasingly important is tech-savviness.
Field experience is still critical, but today’s projects are much more technology-driven than they used to be. Superintendents need to be comfortable working in project management systems, updating reports digitally, and using the software their teams rely on every day. If they struggle with those tools, it can affect the pace of the project.
Today’s best candidates combine strong field experience with the ability to work efficiently in a technology-driven environment.
Q: What advice would you give companies preparing to staff major data center and industrial projects in today’s market?
Matt Dalton: Start earlier than you think you need to.
One of the biggest mistakes companies make is waiting until construction is underway to begin hiring key oversight staff. By then, the best people are often already committed elsewhere.
The race for top-tier talent in data center and industrial projects is won during the pre-construction phase. Building a relationship with a specialized staffing partner 60 to 90 days before people are needed on-site gives you a significant advantage.
Securing experienced Superintendents, Safety Officers, and Commissioning teams early goes a long way toward protecting your project schedule—and your bottom line.
Final Thoughts
The hiring landscape for data center and industrial construction isn’t getting easier. As projects grow larger and competition for experienced professionals intensifies, companies need a staffing partner with industry expertise, an established network, and the ability to deliver proven talent quickly. Contact us today to learn more.
