[ad_1]
Industry insights from nearly 1,800 professionals point to digital integration, AI and workforce development as keys to maintaining productivity on Canadian jobsites throughout the year ahead.
A construction professional uses advanced digital surveying technology to merge human expertise with data-driven tools on the jobsite. Image courtesy of Trimble.
As Canadian contractors prepare for another year of large, concrete-intensive commercial and infrastructure projects, new survey data from Trimble suggests the industry’s biggest challenges, and opportunities, are converging around people and technology. Results from Trimble’s 2025 Dimensions user conference survey reveal how contractors are prioritizing workforce development, interoperability and advanced digital tools to stay competitive in a labour-constrained market.
Labour pressures dominate industry concern
According to the survey, workforce-related challenges top the list of concerns as we head deeper into 2026. Skills shortages, hiring difficulties and employee retention were cited most frequently by respondents, with technology adoption close behind. Industry estimates indicate construction will need to attract a significant number of new workers in 2026 to continue meeting demand, while nearly a quarter of the existing workforce is expected to retire within the next decade.
For contractors delivering concrete-intensive projects that rely on schedule certainty, sequencing and precision, these pressures are especially acute. Ian Warner, Director of Industry Workforce Development and Innovations at Trimble, says technology is increasingly becoming part of the solution, not just for productivity but for recruitment. Contractors that invest in modern tools, he continues, are better positioned to attract younger, tech-savvy workers while enabling existing crews to do more with fewer hands.
Technology as a workforce multiplier
Rather than replacing labour, digital tools are being used to extend the capabilities of today’s workforce. Survey findings suggest that combining hands-on experience with advanced machine control, data-driven workflows and connected jobsite platforms allows contractors to upskill employees faster and reduce their reliance on a shrinking pool of highly experienced specialists.
For concrete contractors, this translates into more consistent grading, improved pour preparation and fewer errors, even when crews are leaner. Technology adoption, however, brings its own challenges.
Interoperability moves to centre stage
As contractors deploy more digital solutions, fragmentation has become a growing issue. The survey found that improving integration between existing technologies and gaining employee buy-in were among the initiatives most likely to improve performance in 2026.
Disparate systems that don’t share data can lead to errors, delays and rework – outcomes that are costly on concrete-heavy projects with tight tolerances. Chris Peppler, Vice President of Platform at Trimble, says improving interoperability is now a major industry focus. Trimble Marketplace, which offers more than 100 pre-built integrations, is one example of how vendors are responding by enabling data to flow more freely across construction technology ecosystems.
AI and precision top the investment wishlist
When respondents were asked where they would invest if budgets were unlimited, two priorities stood out: artificial intelligence and advanced scanning and positioning technologies. AI is seen as a means to automate complex workflows, improve predictive insights and reduce manual coordination across design, engineering and construction.
Aviad Almagor, Vice President of Technology Innovation at Trimble, believes 2026 will mark a shift from experimental AI pilots to real-world, connected applications. Networks of AI agents, he says, will increasingly help orchestrate schedules, manage resources and track progress across projects.
Precision technologies are also gaining traction. Reality capture, surveying and positioning tools are becoming more accessible, enabling millimetre-level accuracy that supports better subgrade preparation, formwork alignment and quality control.
Aligning people, data and tools
The overarching message delivered by the Trimble survey is clear: technology and talent must advance together. Advanced digital tools only deliver value when crews are trained to use them and when data moves seamlessly across the organization. For contractors involved in building large, concrete-intensive projects, focusing on innovation, interoperability and workforce development may be the most effective way to turn today’s challenges into long-term competitive advantages.