Different work groups have different motivation-driven factors, but they share the common basic needs of human beings as per Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Here are 5 elements that need improving to boost blue-collar worker engagement:
Working Conditions
Working conditions include working facilities, time, rest, schedule, health, and safety at the workplace. Nobody wants to work for a long time in bad working conditions, right?
Pay
Fair wages will ensure a quality of life for workers. In this case, labor unions play an important role in negotiating good pay and benefits for blue-collar workers. We often think that trade workers earn less money than office workers, but it's not true. Many blue-collar jobs such as welders, oil riggers, and construction workers can earn up to a six-figure salary (USD) per year.
Job Security
With the rise of high technology machinery and automation, blue-collar workers face fiercer competition in the labor market. The most challenging aspect for them is the limited repetitive skills they have. For instance, an operator working on the same machine for 5 years will become dependent on it because he has no idea about other kinds of equipment or the next stages in production. When having skilled workers, employers should sign agreements on assigning new tasks and offering more [on-the-job training](http://vnmanpower.com/en/when-to-use-in-house-training-for-your-employees-bl211.html) to make them feel committed to the company.
Recognition
Similar to white-collar workers, blue-collar employees will feel more engaged when their contributions are recognized. Along with monthly and yearly rewards, [values-based recognition](http://vnmanpower.com/en/how-well-are-you-doing-values-based-employee-recognition-program-bl213.html) is needed to align blue-collar workers with the organization's goals and success.
Communication
The last but not least important thing is communication. Managers should talk to blue-collar workers in a straightforward and transparent manner to ensure all of them understand clearly. Be sure white-collar employees and you respect them as peers, not lower-class people. As a leader, you should understand every individual to help them integrate with the team and boost their potential. Besides [enhancing communication among workers](http://vnmanpower.com/en/techniques-to-help-increase-the-communication-between-your-employees-bl169.html), remember to take feedback from them regularly. This action will help you build trust and handle work-related issues timely and effectively. When blue-collar workers have a voice in their teams, they will be more motivated and engaged.