A projection of anticipated workload volume over a set period, used to plan crew levels and equipment needs. Subcontractors rely on load forecasts to avoid understaffing during peak demand or carrying idle workers in slow periods.
Load Forecast
Related Terms
Co-Employment
WorkforceA legal situation where both a subcontractor and a client company share employer responsibilities over a worker. This creates liability risks around benefits, termination, and labour standards if boundaries aren't clearly defined. Subcontractors should maintain clear contracts and independent operating practices to avoid unintended co-employment claims.
Journeyman
WorkforceA tradesperson who has completed an apprenticeship and holds a recognised certification in their trade. Subcontractors often bill journeymen at a higher labour rate than apprentices. Many project specs or collective agreements require a minimum ratio of journeymen on site.
Utilization Rate
WorkforceThe percentage of available working hours that crews or equipment are actively billable to a client. A low utilisation rate signals idle resources draining overhead costs. Subcontractors track this metric closely to assess profitability across projects.
SJT (Situational Judgment Test)
WorkforceA pre-hire assessment used to evaluate how candidates respond to realistic workplace scenarios. Operators and prime contractors use SJTs to screen field workers for safety judgement and decision-making. Subcontractors may encounter these tests when onboarding crews for client-managed worksites.
Geofencing
WorkforceA virtual boundary set around a job site that triggers automatic alerts when workers or equipment enter or leave. Subcontractors use it to verify on-site attendance, automate timekeeping, and support accurate billing. It also helps clients confirm crew deployment without manual check-ins.
Vertical Joint Employment
WorkforceA legal finding where both a subcontractor and a client company are considered employers of the same field workers. This exposes subcontractors to shared liability for wages, overtime, and labour standards violations. Regulators in oil and gas and construction actively scrutinise these arrangements.
Latest Workforce News
Black & Veatch Survey: Aging Infrastructure and Staffing Gaps Signal Sustained Work Pipeline for Water Utility Subs
Black & Veatch's 2026 Water Report, drawing on more than 600 industry stakeholders, confirms aging infrastructure and workforce shortages as the defining pressures on U.S. water utilities, pointing to a long-term construction and maintenance backlog.
20 hours ago WorkforceSkilled Trades Shortage Is the Real Bottleneck in AI Infrastructure Buildout
The tech industry's data center ambitions are running headlong into a shortage of electricians, welders, and pipefitters. For field service companies, that's a market signal worth paying attention to.
20 hours ago WorkforceEnergy Services Sector Adds Jobs for Third Straight Month in May
U.S. energy services employment reached 633,115 positions in May, marking three consecutive months of job growth and adding more than 8,000 jobs since January, according to the Energy Workforce & Technology Council.
6 days ago WorkforceAutonomous Construction Equipment Is Moving From Trade Show Floor to Job Site
AI-powered machines and remote operation technology are reshaping how construction crews work. Here's what early-adopter field service companies are deploying and what it means for your workforce.
7 days agoRelated Guides
When Your Crew's Behaviour Becomes a Business Problem: Managing Field Conduct on Active Subcontracts
What subcontractors are liable for when field personnel create conflict on a GC-managed site, and how to protect your contracts before it becomes a termination issue.
Workforce GuideHow to Get Your First Oilfield Job: A Practical Guide for Tradespeople and CDL Holders
No oilfield experience? No problem. Learn which certifications, service lines, and job boards actually get tradespeople and CDL holders hired.
Workforce GuideFrom the Field to the Office: What Oilfield Workers Should Know Before Making the Switch
Thinking about moving from field work to an office role? This guide covers how your field experience translates into technical and operations positions, what the transition actually looks like, and the trade-offs most people do not talk about until it is too late.
Stay sharp on field operations
Industry news and insights, delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe to FieldNews