The construction industry is projected to grow by 12% percent between now and 2026. This type of upward trend is typically great news, but in this case, it’s putting added pressure on an industry grappling with a detrimental imbalance between project demand and labor supply. In fact, according to a recent report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 54% of contractors continue to be concerned about finding workers with adequate skills.

This lack of skilled labor is one of the biggest challenges facing the construction industry. Looking for a solution, 7% of construction firms plan to expand headcount in 2019, yet 78% struggle to fill salaried and craft positions. Where does the industry go from here?

As skilled workers retire out of their positions, the hope is that young talent will step up, but studies show that recruiting, especially among millennials, has been difficult for construction companies. Only 3% of young people want to pursue a career in construction. At the end of the day, recruiting alone won’t solve the labor shortage. The labor shortage will halt industry progress if not addressed on an institutional, uniform level. This requires a new framework to not just drive improved recruitment, but also enhance jobsite productivity so contractors can work more efficiently with less labor.

Technology and A New “Constructible” Way of Thinking

An obvious starting point is through the use of technology. The construction industry is in the midst of a digital transformation. Technology such as artificial intelligence, robotics, BIM, and mixed, virtual and augmented reality are modernizing the way construction work is performed and will not only drive the industry forward, but also attract young talent.

At the heart of embracing technology to make projects more efficient is a constructible process that unites construction phases. By making 3D models accessible and understandable to all stakeholders in all phases of a project, the constructible process helps construction teams better execute projects on time and on budget, thus helping combat the labor shortage by:

• Streamlining communication. As a project passes from design to field solutions, communication channels become increasingly muddled and inhibit collaboration. With the right software, a constructible process can improve communication with file-to-model sharing that allows multiple stakeholders to collaborate within 3D models, which helps improve the flow of mission-critical information and avoid redundancies. File sharing platforms allow engineers to update models in real time and notify stakeholders immediately. Research shows that integrating a data-gathering relationship between the field and the office has the potential to boost onsite productivity by 50%. Data collection is also made more intuitive through the Internet of Things. Internet-enabled components can collect information about the environment and automatically update 3D models in real-time to eliminate manual updates and ensure 3D models accurately serve the digital fabrication process.
• Improving efficiency. When talent isn’t available, outsourced work becomes a necessity. For those hesitant about trusting a third party with mission-critical tasks, technology can help streamline communication with an outsourced partner. Elevating building models with data-rich content eliminates guesswork and confusion about what a component is, how it performs, where it goes or how it should be installed. Content-enabled models can be an invaluable tool for organizing outsourced work.
• Doing more with less. Another way to combat the labor shortage is by reallocating recruitment efforts toward empowering current workers rather than hiring new ones. This too is achievable through a constructible process. Constructible models include all of the component details needed to execute a build correctly. Content-enabled models can deliver the information necessary to the field, so the job is done right the first time. This naturally leads to standardized practices that help streamline day-to-day processes and ensure all workers have the information they need on the jobsite at any given moment.

Attracting the “Minecraft” Generation

Companies stuck in the dark ages with outdated software and processes aren’t likely to attract digital natives or younger generations that grew up surrounded by mobile devices and video games such as Minecraft. An investment in technology will not only pay off in improved productivity and higher profitability, it can also help build and retain winning teams of construction professionals.

Exposing younger generations to construction technology and educating them about the professional, financial and personal merits of working in construction will go a long way toward curbing the labor shortage. From visibility in schools to reshaping the narrative in the media, the construction industry could use a brand overhaul. This is why leaders in the industry are stepping up and partnering with colleges, universities and trade schools to provide educators with the latest construction technology and give students in the fields of engineering, architecture and construction science an advanced start in their careers. This is critical for the industry’s future.

The labor shortage isn’t going away anytime soon but with the right technology, processes and a desire to make a change, its impact can be minimized and contractors can capitalize on the growth that lies ahead.