We all know the construction <\/span>industry is understaffed<\/span>. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n By one estimate, <\/span><\/span>546,000 additional workers<\/span><\/span><\/a> are needed to meet labor demands in 2023, on top of the usual pace of hiring. <\/span><\/span>And in the next decade, over <\/span><\/span>40%<\/span><\/span><\/a> of the U.S. sector\u2019s workforce is expected to retire. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Labor shortages like these <\/span>necessitate a fundamental shift in construction work, \u201caway from on-site construction to doing more work that’s modular or involves high tech and automation,\u201d says Alex Carrick, an economist who specializes in construction trends. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Construction roles that <\/span>embrace digital solutions to increase efficiency \u2014 ranging from the use of virtual reality<\/span> and 3D modeling <\/span>to prefabricated production of modular interiors \u2014 are key to the future of the industry, he explains. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n But enhanced efficiency isn\u2019t the only benefit. Carrick says the adoption of tech-enabled systems and processes can also help entice new types of talent to the industry.\u00a0 <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt’s always been a harder sell for construction to attract younger workers. Because, if you’re given the option of working out in the cold all day versus sitting in someplace that’s a whole lot more comfortable, which are you likely to choose?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n For tech-savvy<\/span><\/span> young professionals, greater digital adoption within the industry offers appealing careers in construction. This can include digital twin modelers, virtual reality specialists, as well as other jobs related to automation, AI and even robotics.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
DIRTT Construction Systems<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you don\u2019t have the workers you need and want to keep costs down, there is a solution. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAutomate where possible, fix problems virtually during the design phase before they happen in real life and construct what you can off-site,\u201d says Carrick. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201c[<\/span><\/span>Digit<\/span>al tools]\u00a0give you that opportunity to get things right in the planning stage before you undertake the practical work. The smart construction companies recognize this,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n For example, Building Information Modeling (BIM)<\/span><\/span>, which is often used to design modular systems, improves both visualization and collaboration long before on-site work begins<\/span>. And digital twin technology \u2014 also utilized by industr<\/span>ialized construction \u2014 creates a digital project replica that adapts to changes in real-time<\/span>. \u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n These tools <\/span><\/span>help reduce errors<\/span>, which in turn cuts down the need for expensive change orders<\/span>, Carrick says. And importantly, automation and virtual design tools used <\/span>when developing modular solutions still leave lots of room for the client\u2019s imagination and vision.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cPeople used to worry that modular wasn\u2019t as flexible. You can do more creative things than you used to,\u201d Carrick notes, because industrialized solutions are more customizable than people realize<\/span>. <\/p>\n And, more sustainable. \u201cBecause of high-tech laser cutting of materials, you can <\/span>(also<\/span>) save on material use<\/span>,\u201d he says. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Essentially, modular offers the kind of productivity gains (without giving up <\/span>design freedom) that become not <\/span>just nice, but necessary when you lack human power.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Modular solutions that support design freedom<\/p>\n
Joe Aker\/Aker Imaging<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
This approach also offers a variety of appealing new career paths for young talent.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThere are so many other job opportunities out there to compete with, construction is really going to have to up its game to attract workers\u2026 and there\u2019s going to have to be a groundswell from younger people<\/span>,\u201d <\/span>to address the industry\u2019s labor problem, says Carrick. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe next cohort of workers <\/span>is more likely to be interested in construction<\/span> work that includes more digital <\/span>elements and less outdoor labor,\u201d he says. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n There may even be an opportunity to attract talent from demographics who haven\u2019t historically been drawn to on-site work because it can be unpredictable (among other challenges, of course). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIn terms of digitalization, there may be some real advantages in terms of attracting Indigenous workers and women and so on, because you can provide things like 40-hour-a-week work schedules,\u201d he suggests. \u201cPeople like stability, and they like having set schedules so that they know that they work eight hours a day.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Use of technology can draw in the next generation of construction workers<\/p>\n
DIRTT Construction Systems<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe growing use of BIM and other digital products create a whole new niche within the industry,\u201d says <\/span><\/span>John McMullen, from the Modular Building Institute (MBI). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n He shares examples of skill sets from other industries that are <\/span>applicable t<\/span>o these more tech-related construction <\/span>roles, especially in modular constructio<\/span>n. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n For instance, if you\u2019re working on a smart building with digital interfaces, that kind of work might be a good fit for \u201canyone with a technical background, programming background, robotics background \u2014 those people are finding great success in modular construction.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Design and project management skills are a must as well. \u201cThere are people who need to be on the front end of a project, to design that project, to share that project, to get stakeholders involved and be able to really have everyone visualize the same end product.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n He also notes that technology enables \u201cmore of a collaborative effort between the architect, engineer, builders, manufacturers and even people doing electronics.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n
Technology offers more collaboration between members of the construction team<\/p>\n
Zooropa Media<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Construction\u2019s revolution is a remodel, not a rebuild<\/span><\/span>. An increase of tech-related and off-site production roles, doesn\u2019t negate the need for traditional talent, says McMullen.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cTraditional tradespeople are critical, and they always have been,\u201d says McMullen. \u201cI think they always will be. Once you get your computer models\u2026 they all need to go into a piece of wood or bolt into steel. There would be no buildings without tradespeople.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n As construction pushes boundaries with greater adoption of modular solutions, McMullen <\/span><\/span>thinks more people will be incentivized to consider a career in the sector. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span><\/span>Now is the time to show high school students, recent graduates \u2014 this is an industry making huge strides in its use of digital. This is a great time to get into the construction industry.\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n To learn more about industrialized construction,\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span>visit DIRTT.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n<\/figcaption>
\n<\/figure>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/06\/d_20170615_092921.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n<\/figcaption>
\n<\/figure>\nIndustrialized construction fills labor gaps<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/06\/d_20220521_092419_1.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n<\/figcaption>
\n<\/figure>\nAppealing career options for young talent<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/06\/ICE2_vze8sk.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n<\/figcaption>
\n<\/figure>\nWhat does the future of construction work look like?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/essential.construction\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/15\/2023\/06\/d_20220404_112655.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n<\/figcaption>
\n<\/figure>\nThe construction revolution<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n