One job link everywhere. One secure intake. One dashboard.
Trades Backer is a ground-up hiring intake + review platform built specifically for skilled construction. Instead of a generic “global” ATS with endless settings and constant updates, you get a focused workflow: one canonical apply link you can post anywhere (including your own website) → encrypted applications → a lean dashboard with the controls you actually use. Applicants encrypt to your public key; you decrypt locally with your private key in the Employer Dashboard. The server stores ciphertext—so you control access to plaintext applicant data.
Staff handles the setup: we build your employer-specific project files, provision keys (KID), test the apply flow end-to-end, then hand you the link + dashboard access with clear instructions. We keep communications minimal—no constant email/text blasts—because you’re busy.
Key-based encrypted intake
Applicants encrypt their submission in the browser to your public key. The server stores ciphertext. You decrypt locally in your Employer Dashboard with your private key.
- No shared inboxes.
- No “trust us with plaintext”.
- Keys never leave your device.
Use your existing traffic
Link the same Trades Backer apply page from your website, job boards, social media, union boards, dispatch updates, and training pipelines. Everyone lands on the same standardized intake.
- Consistent questions
- Attachments supported
- Fewer back-and-forths
Review like an ATS, without the bloat
The Employer Dashboard is built for reviewing trades applicants fast: filter by position, license indicators, experience and more, then export clean data for your internal systems.
- Search + filters
- Review flags & notes
- CSV export
Example: performance by source
When you share one canonical job URL everywhere, you can compare where qualified applicants actually come from. This is an illustrative example (not live data).
- Use one share link with a ?src= tag (or UTM) per channel.
- Compare volume vs. qualified rate by source.
- Shift spend/time toward channels that deliver.
What you receive
- A published listing page under Jobs and a single Apply link you can place on your Careers page (no embedding required).
- An employer-specific intake setup (project form + encrypted submissions) built and tested by our staff before handoff.
- Your Employer Dashboard link to review, organize, and export candidates—focused controls, no bloat.
- A tablet-first, installable PWA Employer Dashboard designed for trusted field personnel—fast, touch-friendly review on iPad/Android tablets.
- Quiet-by-design communications: only necessary service messages; no constant email/text blasts.
- Optional staff-managed updates for copy tweaks, status changes, and close/reopen.
Why this architecture
Trades Backer avoids heavyweight stacks to reduce risk and operational overhead. Listings are served as static pages. Encrypted submissions and manifests are stored as simple files for each project. No CMS. No plugin ecosystem. No third-party trackers.
- Fewer dependencies and fewer attack surfaces
- Clear separation between ciphertext storage and local decryption
- Designed for field-friendly workflows: tablet-first PWA dashboard for trusted field personnel, job-board traffic, and fast review
Pricing
Trades Backer is priced like infrastructure: secure intake setup is bundled into the first project, then additional projects are billed as simple open-window listings. The values below are the current defaults configured for this deployment.
- First project: — (— days, — role)
Includes onboarding + key provisioning (KID), employer dashboard access, project setup, and the initial listing window.
- Additional projects: — / — days
- Additional projects (new keys): — / — days
- Additional positions: — each
- Extension: — / day
“New keys” provisions a new keypair/KID for that project (useful for key rotation or separate access control).
- Monthly recurring: — / month
- Standard first/additional project rates still apply.
Unlisted is an apply-link-only setup for employers who want to link to the Apply page from their own website (button, banner, or careers page). No public project/job index pages; traffic is labeled direct.
How listings go live
- You submit a listing request (encrypted in your browser).
- Staff confirms details and provisions keys (KID) and your Employer Dashboard access.
- We publish your project + apply links (share them anywhere).
- Applicants apply through your link; you decrypt and manage candidates locally.