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The residential construction industry is no stranger to workforce shortages. Contractors consistently report too few hands on deck, while the statistics paint an even starker picture: More than 41% of the current workforce is expected to retire by 2031, according to the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER).
It’s this realization that help sparked the creation of CREDS, a new tech platform currently in development that aims to link skilled tradespeople with contractors who need them—precisely when and where they’re needed. “Our journey began while working on a workforce development project to bring new talent into residential construction,” says Pam Haack, co-founder and CEO of CREDS. “Through countless conversations, we uncovered a critical gap: a disconnect between skilled tradespeople and the work waiting for them.”
Haack and co-founder Mario Jackson, a tradesman himself, saw the gap firsthand. Contractors were voicing their urgent need for more labor, yet talented individuals were waiting on the sidelines for opportunities. “We found trade school graduates needing experience, diverse workers overlooked by mainstream builders, and even retirees eager to stay active on their own terms,” Haack explains. “We saw an opportunity to keep experienced pros in the game with flexible, skill-matched work.”
This idea crystallized into a platform designed to dynamically connect contractors and property managers with vetted tradespeople, enabling teams to scale up or down with workload demands. Its mission, Haack says, is simple: “Empower workers, increase labor capacity, and keep construction moving forward.”
At the center of CREDS is a robust profile and matching system tailored specifically for the construction industry. Tradespeople start with a streamlined signup, entering basic information and then branching into a hierarchy of skills—from broad categories like carpentry or electrical, down to specialties such as finish carpentry or wiring basements. Certifications, licenses, photos of past work, and availability preferences can also be uploaded. “Our matching algorithm is the heart of CREDS,” Haack says. “It will go beyond simple keywords, analyzing a contractor’s project needs against a tradesperson’s skills, location, availability, and CREDS Score.”
The CREDS Score, a blend of verified credentials, compliance checks, and peer ratings, plays a role in ensuring quality matches. Contractors searching for a finish carpenter for a three-day kitchen remodel, for example, will be paired only with professionals whose skills, proximity, and availability line up.
As Jackson explained from the tradesman’s perspective: “During busy seasons, CREDS will ensure time isn’t wasted on mismatches; it’s all about skill fit, reliability, and mutual trust to make connections that work.”
Courtesy CREDS/Pam Haack
One of the biggest barriers to adopting new labor solutions in construction is trust, they say. Contractors often hesitate to hire someone they’ve never worked with before, concerned about rework, delays, or compliance issues. Jackson acknowledges this skepticism head-on: “Our tagline, ‘Connections You Can Trust,’ isn’t just words; it’s built into every match to address that hesitation contractors feel with new faces.”
Jackson underscored the importance of this approach: “Trust is everything in this industry—I’ve hired guys off the cuff and regretted it when work had to be redone, costing time and money during a crunch. That’s why CREDS will have robust vetting from the start.”
Verification goes beyond licenses and certifications. CREDS checks state registration, insurance coverage, and compliance with Minnesota’s 14-factor independent contractor test. This multilayered validation reassures contractors while also giving tradespeople a fair platform to prove their qualifications.
While technology-driven labor platforms are not new, CREDS differentiates itself by zeroing in on construction-specific needs. Many existing solutions, Haack explains, are either job boards that focus on full-time employment or gig apps that are too broad and consumer-oriented. “Current solutions are either focused on employment—jobs boards or employment agencies—not addressing the variable nature of the need,” she says. “Or, they miss out on the critical need to vet the workers for very specific tasks and projects. CREDS is different in that we focus specifically on the skill and expertise needed to complete the specific work at hand.”
This skill-centric approach not only helps contractors hire precisely what they need—no more, no less—but also creates opportunities for new entrants to the trades. Trade school graduates, for example, can start by picking up smaller gig-style work, gaining valuable job site experience while helping skilled workers be more productive.
As CREDS builds momentum, its initial focus is the Twin Cities market, where labor shortages among remodelers and property managers are most acute. “Contractors have told us that the toughest labor challenges are here,” Haack notes, “and finding the right talent is crucial.”
The platform is still in its beta and refinement stages, with milestones that include stress-testing for scalability, fine-tuning the skills hierarchy, and expanding the pool of both tradespeople and contractors. Once the model proves itself locally, the team plans to expand into nearby Midwest regions and, eventually, beyond.
Haack sees CREDS reshaping labor practices. “We envision a future where labor scaling in construction is dynamic, skill-driven, and inclusive, tackling the labor shortages that challenge our industry,” she explains. “For contractors, our platform delivers the right talent exactly when needed, cutting overhead and reducing burnout. For tradespeople, it opens doors for overlooked talent—like retirees eager to stay active or new graduates breaking into the field—keeping expertise alive and diversifying the workforce.”
CREDS is still a work in progress, but its mission is clear: to bridge the gap between skilled workers and the contractors who need them most. Haack says, “Our goal is to strengthen the entire construction ecosystem, empowering contractors and workers alike to keep projects moving efficiently.”
Contractors and tradespeople interested in learning more, or in joining the beta pool, are encouraged to connect with CREDS as the platform takes shape.
