The skilled trades are the backbone of the American economy. Electricians, plumbers, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians, and other craftsmen keep our homes, businesses, and infrastructure running smoothly. The skilled labor market is experiencing high demand, particularly in fields such as construction, manufacturing, and energy. Many trade business owners are finding it harder than ever to manage the day-to-day responsibilities that come with running a company.
That’s where a professional employer organization (PEO) like Group Management Services (GMS) comes in. Partnering with a PEO empowers skilled trades businesses to delegate administrative tasks, allowing them to focus on delivering high-quality work.
The Challenges Facing Skilled Trades Businesses
Skilled trade owners are no strangers to long hours and tight deadlines. But on top of that, they often juggle:
- High turnover rates and labor shortages, especially among younger workers entering trades.
- Time-consuming HR tasks, such as onboarding and crew management, across multiple job sites.
- Complex payroll processing and tax filing with job costing, prevailing wage, and overtime tracking.
- Compliance with constantly changing labor laws and safety regulations, which vary by state.
- Rising costs of employee benefits and workers’ compensation.
- Little time left to pursue growth opportunities, such as new contracts or training initiatives.
These challenges are not only inconvenient but also costly. Small business owners spend an average of 20+ hours per week on HR-related tasks. That’s valuable time that could be spent on job sites, bidding on new projects, or training employees.
How a PEO Partnership Helps
GMS offers full-service PEO solutions designed to support the unique needs of skilled trades businesses. Here’s how we can help:
Risk management
From Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements to workers’ comp, skilled trade businesses face a complex web of regulations. GMS creates comprehensive risk management plans to keep employees safe and reduce workers' compensation rates. Partnering with GMS helps businesses address hazards, reduce workplace injuries, manage claims, and enjoy lower insurance rates.
Employee benefits
Attracting and retaining top talent requires competitive benefits, but managing them can be costly and complex. GMS streamlines this process, offering cost-effective benefits that keep employees engaged and businesses competitive.
Human resources support
Our expert team handles a wide range of HR tasks, including recruiting, onboarding, employee training, payroll, and benefits administration. By partnering with GMS, businesses can streamline their HR processes, ensure compliance, and focus on their core operations while we manage the complexities of HR.
Payroll and tax administration
No more worrying about missed deadlines or incorrect withholdings. We offer streamlined payroll services designed to make managing payroll easy and stress-free. We handle everything from payroll processing and tax management to providing access to payroll software, where employees can view their payroll information anytime, anywhere.
Real Results from Real Businesses
Businesses that partner with a PEO see measurable improvements. According to 2025 data from the National Association Of Professional Employer Organizations (NAPEO):
- PEO clients grow 7% to 9% faster than businesses that don’t use a PEO.
- Businesses that use a PEO have 12% lower employee turnover.
- PEO clients are 50% less likely to go out of business.
- The return on investment when using a PEO, in cost savings alone, is 27%.
Why Skilled Trades Should Partner with GMS
Whether you’re running a small plumbing company or a growing construction business, GMS understands the unique demands of skilled trades. We help simplify your back office so you can focus on scaling your operations, supporting your team, and serving your clients.
Hear from our skilled trades clients:
"GMS presented a comparative cost savings of their services versus our 'in-house' accounting and workers' compensation. The amount saved was substantial for our sized firm...They have helped our company save money on workers' compensation, as well as accounting expenses."
- HVAC Company
“In addition to our payroll services, we have utilized many of the services GMS offers, from human resources to workers' compensation. With today's ever-changing laws and regulations, it is difficult to keep up. As a small company, we find it a great comfort to have their expertise at our fingertips.”
- Manufacturing Company
“GMS has saved our company hundreds in workers’ comp alone. They are truly a partner in all HR functions. Although we are a small company, GMS helps us to operate with the professionalism of a large corporation.”
- Construction Company
The skilled trades are essential to our future and so is making sure those businesses have the support they need to thrive. Let GMS take care of your business, so you can take care of the job. Learn more about partnering with GMS today.