The construction industry is one of the most evolving. In 2021, the construction industry increased overall spending in the residential sector. This was due to the increasing demand for residential homes worldwide brought by the pandemic’s effects. The commercial sector experienced a decline for the second year in a row.
Overally, companies investing in commercial construction were forced to find ways of coping with a shortage in labor and procurement. Building materials were not delivered on-site at the right time due to inflating material prices, supply shortages, and logistic issues.
However, 2022 is going to be a different year. Here is what you should look forward to in the construction industry for now and in the coming years.
Green technology and design
According to research, it has been established that a significant portion of carbon emissions comes from the construction industry. Energy demand has also been on the rise for the last decade, pushing most governments to implement policies limiting emissions from the construction industry.
Governments worldwide are coming up with policies limiting construction companies from use of green technology and design in construction. Such policies enhance energy efficiency by encouraging construction companies to invest in low-carbon cooling and heating technologies.
Improved jobsite safety
In 2022 safety will become a top priority for most construction companies. Accidents and deaths at construction sites have been significant issues of concern for decades, forcing the industry to respond with improved safety measures for construction workers.
Today, most governments are adding more safety requirements for workers, pushing construction companies to develop strict safety procedures and regulations for their workers.
Most companies are also adopting technology to enhance the safety of workers. For instance, some companies provide bright work boots with in-built GPS systems to supervise workers and spot accidents before they happen.
Automation technology
Construction industry leaders attempt to assign the most redundant and repetitive tasks to robots, allowing workers to concentrate on skilled work. This means employers will focus more on talent, skills, and creativity when employing construction workers.
A perfect example of automation technology is Construction Robotics, Semi-Automated Mason, which works alongside a human worker to minimize the physical toll on the construction worker. This robotics can lay at least 400 bricks an hour compared to a human worker’s 500 daily.
In 2022 we should expect more drones and autonomous construction equipment hitting construction sites. These machines will be doing a task that initially requires skilled workers and help to reduce the number of workers put under risky working conditions.
Labor woes on construction employment
Millions of construction workers lost their jobs during the pandemic in 2020. At least 1.1 million jobs were lost between March and April. The construction industry has faced a shortage of skilled labor since the Great Recession. This has contributed to the old workers retiring with a few younger workforces available in the labor market to replace them.
This year, most construction companies will have to aggressively recruit and retain workers. They will likely develop training programs for the younger workforce to grow headcount in years to come.
Final Thoughts
A lot will happen in 2022 that will most likely change construction the playground. Most of the trends in 2022 will focus on worker safety, technology adoption, and workers’ training. There is more to look out for in the construction industry now and in future.