With the dreaded GCSE results having come round once more, Rob Norton, UK Director at PlanRadar, believes the solution to getting right to the heart of the construction industry’s most pressing issue: the skills gap, lies in embracing a new generation.
The construction industry faces a fundamental challenge: a signification talent void, with over 140,000 vacancies1. This issue is compounded by a workforce that’s rapidly approaching retirement. The old playbook of simply ‘finding more people’ is no longer sufficient; the real solution will require a different approach.
Gen Z, the most digitally fluent generation in history, holds the key. Their ease with technology and desire for purposeful work can drive the digital transformation our sector needs. It is our responsibility to show today’s students, especially those checking their newly published GCSE results, that construction is a place where their digital skills are valued.
While this generation’s digital fluency is a huge asset, it’s also true that we need to upskill our entire workforce. The good news is that using modern, digital construction tools is often as simple as using apps we already know, like WhatsApp. It’s about empowering everyone to work more efficiently and collaboratively, regardless of age.
We must embrace change and welcome the next generation of builders. The future of construction is digital, and we need to work together to build it.
1: Places for People, “The UK construction skills shortage: causes, challenges, and solutions for the industry”, https://www.placesforpeople.co.uk/pfp-thrive/insights-tools/the-uk-construction-skills-shortage/