Relatively few candidates looking for work in the construction industry have the necessary skills to do the job well, according to a survey of construction industry managers by the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) and Autodesk.
It’s a frustrating and business-impacting situation for many of the 1,400 U.S. construction firms that responded to a questionnaire in July and August. About 85% of survey respondents said they are trying to fill openings, but the going is rough.
Supply chain issues and workforce challenges are ongoing concerns. A whopping 68% of respondents said that applicants lack the skills needed to work in construction. Some 61% reported project delays due to labor shortages, and 65% reported delays because of supply challenges. Higher costs caused half the respondents to cancel, postpone, or scale back projects.
In response to the skills shortage, firms are investing more in internal training, with 41% boosting spending in this area. One-quarter of respondents say they are using video training, and 14% have turned to augmented and virtual reality technology for training.
There is some optimism reflected in the survey. A sizeable minority of construction firms responding to the survey are hopeful that new technology will improve the workforce skills outlook. About 41% of respondents said that AI and robotics in the next five years will improve the quality of construction jobs and make workers safer and more productive.
Related Stories
Multifamily Housing | Oct 29, 2017
Multifamily visionaries: The Beach Company’s family ties
Spanning four generations, The Beach Company continues to expand its development footprint across the Southeast.
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Oct 23, 2017
Top 50 sports construction firms
AECOM, Mortenson Construction, and Turner Construction Co. top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest sports sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 19, 2017
Race for talent drives office designs
Is the shift toward attracting younger workers too much or not enough?
Giants 400 | Oct 16, 2017
Data center market forecast: Clearly cloudy
Look for mission-critical construction to double in the next few years.
Data Centers | Oct 13, 2017
Top 35 data center construction firms
Turner Construction Co., Holder Construction, and DPR Constrcution top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest data center sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Oct 9, 2017
Top 80 K-12 construction firms
Gilbane Building Co., Balfour Beatty US, and Skanska USA top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest K-12 sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
AEC Tech | Oct 6, 2017
How professional bias can sabotage industry transformation
Professional bias can take the form of change-resistant thinking that can keep transformational or innovative ambitions at bay. Tech consultant Nate Miller presents three kinds of bias that often emerge when a professional is confronted with new technology.
Giants 400 | Oct 5, 2017
On wings of gold: Alternative financing schemes are propelling the high-flyin’ air terminals sector
The $4 billion renovation of New York City’s LaGuardia Airport is the first major U.S. aviation project delivered using a public-private partnership (P3) model.
Giants 400 | Oct 4, 2017
Top 40 airport construction firms
Hensel Phelps, Turner Construction Co., and Skanska USA top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest airport sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
Giants 400 | Sep 28, 2017
Top 85 government construction firms
Turner Construction Co., PCL Construction Enterprises, and Clark Group top BD+C’s ranking of the nation’s largest government sector contractors and construction management firms, as reported in the 2017 Giants 300 Report.
