The worker shortage in the construction industry is getting worse. With industry veterans nearing retirement, the construction industry faces a serious crisis: younger generations aren’t filling those positions at a quick enough rate. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), nearly 200,000 construction industry jobs are unfilled across the country. Of course, this labor shortage puts pressure on stakeholders, developers, owners and contractors, who are facing a construction boom without the help they need to keep up with the demand.
The solution? Technology. Younger generations want to see two things: innovation and growth. Keeping up-to-date in the construction industry isn’t just good for your business, it’s good for recruiting future construction professionals. Here’s how:
Wirelessly Work: Younger generations are hardwired to work wirelessly. Communicating in the cloud is second nature to Millennials and Gen Z, and archaic practices like manual paperwork don’t make sense to them. Younger generations are more open to the idea of collaboration, communicative workflows and overall career-building through effective technology than ever before. Tech-based tools and software are modernizing the industry to offer what young workers crave.
Streamline Job Sites: Having a streamlined job site attracts younger workers. According to Construction Executive, younger generations want the simplest, most efficient path to their end goals. Tech-savvy professionals aren’t interested in manual processes, outdated software or spreadsheets. Instead, they want to see construction companies invest in modernized tech and software, like drones, artificial intelligence, BIM, automated machinery and connected, collaborative job sites.
Enhance Impact: Young professionals crave impact. They want to see how their work impacts others, and how their work impacts overall end goals. Simply wiring a building or setting a foundation isn’t enough: the younger generation wants to see the value in what they’re doing. Because of this, contractors are using technology to enhance communication and effectively share company missions and values.
The Key to Modern Workforces: Technology
Technology in the construction industry is so much more than streamlining archaic processes. It’s about mitigating risk, enhancing productivity, boosting profitability and opening possibilities to the next wave of new workers. Breaking the status quo by becoming an early adopter of technology in construction positions you as a company looking for young talent. Are you ready to attract the next wave?
Leave a Reply