Amidst a low adoption rate of technological advancements in the construction industry, there's a recognized need for digitization to address labor shortages. By investing in smart technology, construction companies aim to upskill their workforce, improve efficiency, and adapt to future challenges, ensuring long-term viability and success.
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How Smart Technology Revolutionizes the Construction Industry
Only one percent of the construction industry now takes advantage of technological advancements, and it is widely acknowledged that the industry remains behind in terms of digitization initiatives. In addition to an aging workforce, a lack of digital awareness is one contributing factor to the fact that many young workers do not see the attractiveness of joining the business.
While the construction industry is attempting to concentrate on the digital revolution, the number of individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 entering the business has significantly decreased. This has resulted in a workforce that is less adaptable and less digitally savvy. Moreover, considering the influence of new government initiatives, an aging workforce, and the construction industry's shift toward technological solutions to attract younger workers and mitigate the shortage of low-skilled laborers, intelligent technology is vital for the sector's future.
Accordingly, 95% of construction companies in the United Kingdom intend to attract more skilled workers to the sector by investing in technology over the next five years. In addition, investing in digital solutions and smart technology can result in several opportunities and advantages. This includes giving tracking data to the customer, increasing the workforce's level of expertise, and minimizing the time needed to collect information and communicate changes on-site or remotely. As intelligent technology continues to advance, it has the potential to serve as a buffer against the issues that the construction industry may encounter in the decades to come. Also, it will assist in upskilling employees in the future, which is a crucial component, and it will enable individuals with less technical confidence to enter the business.
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Positive Effect of Upskilling Your Workers
Providing employees with opportunities to improve their skills enables businesses to become more adaptable and to keep up with the ever-shifting skill dynamics. Increasing the number of employees is directly linked to the success of an organization. Skilled workers have a greater tendency to create high-quality results, which can be advantageous to the organization and have a beneficial impact on the business's bottom line.
As mentioned, organizations and employees must be adaptable in a constantly evolving world due to various factors such as war, pandemics, new global trends, and the growing prevalence of AI, technology, and automation. Therefore, there is a continuous demand for new and enhanced talents. In addition, this has resulted in businesses and other organizations placing a greater emphasis on bettering the skills of their employees.
On the other hand, upskilling is distinct from reskilling in that it entails enhancing existing employees' skills and capabilities to facilitate advancement within the firm, both in their present positions and careers. It helps reduce the likelihood of any skills gaps occurring in the workplace. In contrast, reskilling entails the provision of alternative job-specific training to personnel. It is common practice to accomplish both goals through training and other learning and development interventions. According to the Future of Jobs Report published by the World Economic Forum, by 2025, 50% of all workers will require retraining due to the increasing adoption of technology and automation.
Related Article: Empowering Construction Workers: The Impact of Upskilling During Economic Downturns
