Construction workers, mechanics, electricians, and other blue-collar workers are often the silent backbone of a country's operations. Yet today, there is a persistent gap in the number of skilled workers in the market. According to the American Institute of Constructors, the construction industry in the US is short of half a million workers; the impact of which cascades through the construction workforce. Aiming to tackle this, Steve Worrell has built a model that's quietly reshaping how America's blue-collar workforce operates.
Worrell, founder of Elite Force Staffing, a blue-collar staffing company specializing in electricians and mechanical workers, has curated a model aimed at closing labor gaps in even the most remote parts of the country by rethinking what flexibility and mobility can mean for modern trades. As one of the largest staffing companies in the material handling sector, which manages the conveyor systems that drive today's e-commerce operations, Elite Force Staffing has contributed extensively toward building seamless operations. "We're helping construct the conveyors that make online retail possible, everything from fulfillment centers to advanced logistics hubs," Worrell says.
These are the systems that move packages every day, controlled by complex automation and installed by the mechanical and electrical specialists that Elite Force Staffing supplies. "It could be miles and miles of conveyor belts inside the warehouse that we put together," Worrell shares. "And then we send electricians to wire it all up. It's a complete plug-and-play process that we're enforcing here."
The company's story began with a ubiquitous approach, engaging in various staffing pursuits. "When I first started, we staffed everything, from plumbers to concrete crews," Worrell recalls. "But as we got more opportunities in the conveyor industry, we decided to double down. Instead of being decent at a lot of things, we chose to be the best at a few, and that's worked really well for us." This centralized focus has enabled the company to become one of the trusted partners for large-scale installations, building a reputation for reliability and craftsmanship.
Worrell's solution to the industry's most persistent challenge, finding qualified workers where they're needed most, lies in his "traveler" model. When a client needs 100 electricians in Nebraska or 50 mechanical installers in Texas, his company mobilizes crews from all across the country to meet that demand.
"We're almost as much a logistics company as we are a staffing company," Worrell says. "We've got skilled people who just wrapped up a job in Florida, heading to California to start on Monday. We're constantly moving our workforce where the work is."
Achieving this level of flexibility helps to keep the projects on schedule while providing stability and opportunity for workers who aim to hone their craft while traveling across the country. Worrell notes that many of them treat it like a lifestyle. "We have people who tell us to contact them for work in a city they may be interested in, and when something opens up, we send them," he says. "They have that flexibility with us without being penalized for it or treated like they're not serious employees. They can work hard, take a break, then come right back."
Worrell believes this travel-based approach also boosts productivity and professionalism. "Local workers may have additional commitments that can affect availability," he shares. "When you have travelers, they're there to work. They're able to focus fully on the job without typical day-to-day interruptions. Our clients see that. It's a win for everyone."
Behind the scenes, Worrell's company maintains a robust vetting process to ensure every worker meets the highest standards. "We have certified electricians in-house who evaluate every candidate," he says. "We make sure they can actually walk the walk and talk the talk."
This approach is further supported by a proprietary ranking system that uses AI to track performance, attendance, and client feedback, ensuring that only top-tier professionals are sent to job sites. "AI helps us identify the best of the best and flag issues before they become problems," Worrell explains. "It gives our clients confidence that they're getting proven talent."
With its calculative measures, Elite Force Staffing is curating a nationwide network of skilled tradespeople who can be deployed anywhere in the country, keeping the US's most advanced facilities running on time. The firm has contributed to multinational companies, installing systems that keep goods and data flowing across the US. "It's rewarding," he says. "Even if I didn't physically build it, when I drive past a facility and know our electricians helped make it happen, that's a great feeling."
As Worrell looks to the future, his model is poised to expand even further. With growing opportunities in the booming data center sector and plans to enter the Canadian market, Elite Force Staffing is continuing to scale its network of travelers and skilled workers while maintaining its commitment to quality and flexibility.
"We're regarded as SMEs in the industry," Worrell states. "By staying focused on what we do best, finding great people and putting them where they're needed most, we're striving to be at the helm of solving one of America's biggest workforce challenges."
