The way the construction industry works is evolving due to several factors. For almost a decade, we have been sounding the horn here at Constructech that the worker shortage is a challenge that every construction company needs to consider. In that time, the lack of skilled talent has only intensified.
We have seen a pandemic that has reshaped the way we work, creating a hybrid environment for several industries. Many of today’s workers often want fully remote work—or a hybrid option, to have a greater level of freedom and autonomy at work.
Our research shows some construction field workers say they are feeling very susceptible to burnout, and they have seen a rise in suicide with coworkers. We need more resources and field support to lead to better outcomes with a greater emphasis on empathy and compassion.
Today’s leaders need to step up and act aggressively if they want to truly address the labor shortage. They need to pivot their thinking.
The solutions are not linear though. We need to consider this challenge from all angles. Let’s consider a few options for addressing the worker shortage today.
First, understand the workers. The first step to improving a challenge is to better understand it. This is what we have done in our soon-to-be released Worker of Tomorrow survey. We polled the market to better understand what workers want. This will help shape the future of work.
Second, once we consider what they want, we must act. We need to understand the role of career growth, pay and benefits, mentorship, upskilling and reskilling, flexibility, and training. We also need to understand the role that both people and technology have in motivating today’s workers.
Technology is a common thread for all talent. Technology can provide the means to inspire and motivate workers, drawing them into a position, and it can create the work-life balance and flexibility that many young workers want today.
As an example of technology targeting the construction industry, Computer Guidance offers eCMS, which is an ERP (enterprise-resource planning) system. With cloud-based, web-based applications, construction companies can improve finance and operations, giving workers the information where and when they need it. We sometimes forget that by making work easier we are improving the everyday process, and we are offering a greater level of freedom and autonomy at work so knowledge workers can achieve their goals.
Ultimately technology such as this maximizes profitability and improves productivity. The end result is greater safety and a happier workforce. Isn’t that what every company needs in today’s era of work?
As we move forward into a new era of work, we must consider what the workers want, and we must act on those wants and needs. If we want to build a better future for all, we must consider how we approach both workers and technology. We can’t have one without the other.
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