Every industry faces new challenges due to evolving technologies, changing consumer behavior, economic obstacles, and skill shortages. The construction industry isn’t exempt from hurdles, as it has many issues businesses must overcome to enjoy success.
If you currently work or are interested in the field, you must learn about the potential problems you might encounter to identify the best solutions. After all, prevention is better than cure. Continue reading to learn about the future challenges for the construction industry.
Table of Contents
Skilled Labor Shortages
The construction industry is struggling with skilled labor shortages, and the issue is likely to continue. The rate of older workers retiring is higher than the incoming of younger workers, resulting in firms facing qualified personnel shortages.
If you are eager to enter the construction field or want to expand on your current skills, you could earn a construction management degree from one of the accredited construction schools in the US. Once you have completed a program, you will have the knowledge and skills to manage each decision-making process in the field, such as budgeting, material procurement, and safety violations.
Technological Advancement
Many studies and surveys have found the construction industry has been slow to adopt new technologies. Firms are making the mistake of underinvesting in tech, but many innovative devices can help companies overcome expensive challenges.
Construction firms could slash the cost of a project by introducing:
- Drones
- 3D printing
- IoT
- VR
- Robots
If a construction company wants to compete in an industry, it must embrace new technologies to overcome labor shortages, poor profitability, and productivity issues. If they fail to do so, they may lose projects to more forward-thinking rivals.
Stagnated Production
Unlike other fields, the construction industry’s productivity levels have stagnated at the same level as 20 years ago. If production doesn’t improve soon, productivity levels may start to decline.
Productivity is slowing and potentially reversing for many reasons, such as increasingly complex construction projects, time wastage, poor planning, inadequate communication between stakeholders, and skilled labor shortages. Introducing new technologies and project management skills could boost productivity and, in turn, profitability.
Extreme Weather Conditions
As construction workers often need to work in many weather conditions, such as soaring temperatures, they will have a greater likelihood of health issues onsite due to more extreme weather events in the future.
For example, they will have a greater risk of heat-related illnesses, injuries, or fatalities. What’s more, weather events might decrease productivity and increase the physical demands placed on employees with varying skills.
Rising temperatures may result in:
- Heat stroke
- Heat exhaustion
- Dehydration
- Kidney damage
Extreme weather can also cause traumatic injuries onsite, as it may lead to:
- Fogged safety glasses
- Dizziness
- Sweaty palms when using heavy or dangerous machinery
- Reduced reasoning caused by heat exposure
Conclusion
Construction industry must prioritize their employees’ health and safety, especially during extreme weather conditions. For example, they should provide weather-appropriate clothing, shaded areas, ample water, and frequent breaks. Also, they could introduce wearable technologies to monitor construction staff members’ health at work, such as their heart rates, oxygen levels, and movements.
