What to Look for in a Recruiting Agency for Skilled Trades

Skilled trades recruiting isn’t like hiring in a call center or sales floor. You’re not looking for just any warm body — you're hiring diesel technicians, marine mechanics, service advisors, and solar installers who can actually do the job. And the wrong recruiting agency? Will cost you time, money, and your sanity.

If you’re searching for a reliable recruiter, recruitment partner, or staffing agency to help you fill critical skilled trades roles, here’s what actually matters — and how to spot red flags before they waste your budget.

Recruiters vs. Staffing Agencies vs. Sourcing Partners: What’s the Difference?

Recruiting agency typically refers to firms that focus on finding long-term, full-time hires.Staffing agencies often focus on temps or contract labor — and sometimes don’t vet at all.Sourcing partners (like SourceLine) focus on delivering qualified, prescreened candidates directly to your hiring manager — without taking a cut of the salary or spamming job boards.

Key Traits of a Skilled Trades Recruiting Agency That Actually Works

1. Industry-Specific Focus

Generic recruiters don’t know the difference between a Class 8 diesel tech and a forklift operator. You need a recruiter who knows your industry, your shop, your pace — and your pain points.

2. Flat-Fee Pricing (No Surprise Commissions)

Traditional agencies charge 20–30% of a candidate’s salary. That’s $15K–$25K per hire in many skilled trades roles.With a flat-fee model, you know the cost before you commit — and you’re not penalized for paying your team well.

3. Real Candidate Prescreening

Resumes don’t tell the full story. A strong recruiting agency will prescreen candidates, confirm availability and interest, and present you with talent that’s actually ready to interview.

4. Flexible Role Support

If your hiring priorities shift, you shouldn’t be locked into one job title. Choose a recruiter who can adapt — whether you’re hiring a Service Advisor one week or a Marine Tech the next.

What Makes SourceLine Different from Traditional Recruiting Agencies?

• We specialize in RV, Marine, Powersports, Heavy Truck, Equipment, and Solar

• We charge a flat fee per hire — no commission, no percentage of salary

• We prescreen candidates and deliver interest-ready matches

• We don’t run job ads — we use targeted outreach and custom messaging

• We support dealerships, field crews, and service shops nationwide

• And we’re a U.S.-based recruiting company, not an overseas resume farm

Roles We Help You Hire For

• Diesel Technicians and Mechanics

• RV Service Techs and RV Collision Specialists

• Solar Installers and Field Techs

• Marine Mechanics and Mobile Marine Techs

• Powersports Technicians

• Service Writers, Parts Managers, and Operations Support

📚 Related: How to Hire Diesel Technicians in 2025📚 Related: Why Marine Industry Hiring Is So Hard — And What Works

Ready to Partner With a Skilled Trades Recruiting Agency That Gets It?

Stop wasting time with recruiters who don’t know your industry — or agencies that ghost you after dropping a few overpriced resumes in your inbox.

SourceLine is built for busy hiring teams who need real talent — fast.No fluff, no gimmicks, no commission bloat.

Contact Us to get started or view our pricing page to learn more about our flat-fee recruiting support.

About SourceLine

SourceLine is a flat-fee recruiting partner specializing in RV, Marine, Powersports, Heavy Truck & Equipment, and Solar. We help lean teams hire qualified, prescreened candidates through targeted outreach and industry-specific expertise. No commissions. No contracts. Just experienced support and real hiring results. Learn more at www.thesourceline.com

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