25 Feb The Future Skills Employers Want You To Have
If you’re currently seeking a new role in the construction sector, now may be an ideal time to learn about the future skills employers want you to have.
Getting your foot through the door, and gaining strong career prospects can all stem from developing your skills.
According to research by CITB, 1 in 20 construction companies report their tradespeople do not have the range, and level of skills needed now – let alone for the roles there will be available in the future.
By improving your current skills and looking ahead at the skills you will need in years to come, you can ensure that your career in construction remains strong and prosperous.
To give you further guidance in the areas employers are looking at the most, we’ve rounded up the top future skills you should consider adopting in your own portfolio.
Digital Skills
Digital technology has the potential to transform every aspect of the construction industry.
Many of the roles we see now are expected to be automated by 2030. Evidence for this has already been found in the USA, where Construction Robotics have developed SAM 100, a bricklaying machine which can lay bricks five-times faster than a bricklayer.
However, one area of digital technology that needs human support is Building Information Modelling (BIM).
BIM provides three-dimensional models of building and information for the management of construction and infrastructure projects.
Since 2016, the UK government has required the use of BIM on all its projects, and according to the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), BIM adoption has increased from 13% in 2010 to 62% in 2016.
As BIM is being increasingly adopted, more organisations are seeking construction specialists who can utilise this technology to improve the efficiency and productivity of large building projects.
With environmental sustainability being a key concern for construction companies, it’s thought that BIM could help to reduce construction waste, increase recycling and provide a better understanding of initial build to lifetime value.
The area of digital skills is not going away, and instead as a candidate, it can be an ideal opportunity to re-skill to ensure that you can be part of this transformative growth in the construction sector.
Off-Site Construction
While off-site construction may not appear to be the most forward-thinking area of expertise, this arena of the construction sector is booming.
According to UK statistics, off-site construction is estimated to be worth £1.5 bn, with predictions that it will rise to £6bn in 2020 and form 7% of total sector output.
Pre-fabrication is nothing new; there already exists complete buildings and homes that have been created in a factory before being put together onsite.
However, as efficiency and sustainability have begun to play a role in our modern buildings, more organisations are seeking construction workers to join them in creating everything from building components to complete houses. This includes pre-cast beams, floor cassettes to kitchen pods. All are being designed and created through manufacturing.
Of course, as a worker, moving towards a construction manufacturing role offers many benefits, such as consistent work that is unaffected by weather conditions.
While some organisations are providing training to re-skill new workers in pre-fabrication manufacturing, it is also essential that as a candidate, you get to grips with some of the innovations you may be working with.
Pre-fabrications are moving more towards environmentally friendly materials, including different concretes that are self-healing, bricks which can filter out pollution, and recyclable flooring.
By having a deeper understanding of these new materials you may be working with, you can ensure that you are not only ready for the role but can show your employer you have knowledge that is up-to-date and relevant.
Leadership
We cannot forget the importance of technical skills when it comes to the desires of employers, but one skill that employers also need more of is leadership.
As a challenge that is being seen across the industry, few people are stepping up to make it into leadership roles in the construction sector.
Both the ambition and quality of management is desired from employers, as today’s leaders will not be here tomorrow.
Future-thinking means many construction companies are desperate to see more workers seeking to take on leadership roles and grow within the organisation.
Soft-skills such as strong communication and teamwork were identified by the CITB to be areas that candidates should be focussing on to gain management positions.
As the future of the construction industry will become less dependent on a physical site, the opportunities are growing for those who want a less physically demanding role, and perhaps wish to work from home or have flexible hours.
