What are the trends shaping the construction industry?

The construction industry underwent considerable disruption in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the sector is on the road to recovery and is expected to grow 5.2% throughout 2021 globally, with output that will be 2.5% higher than the level in 2019. Like many industries, the construction industry is going through a digital transformation, which is paving the way for new job opportunities beyond the current roles. These include site superintendent, civil technologist and construction manager positions. Below, we explore how the construction sector is re-shaping as a result of emerging digital trends.

Big data

Big data has been a major trend in all industries for several years now. Big data and analytics provide today’s construction companies with the ability to analyze and collect large amounts of data to solve problems and make critical decisions. Using data in construction projects can help businesses identify risks and inform project teams about potential delays, timelines and budget estimates. Therefore, big data solutions are improving operational efficiencies. For example, tools such as wearables and mobile solutions can provide crucial insights and forecasting for resources.

In addition to information-gathering, big data is now having a positive impact on health and safety. As a result, big data technology is helping site and construction managers work smarter and help optimize projects. Big data can reveal where injuries are most likely to occur on-site, which allows construction firms to provide safety updates and create new policies for improvements. There’s huge potential for big data to pave the way for a stronger and more productive workforce in construction.

Building information modelling        

Building information modelling (BIM) is the process of managing and creating digital projects. BIM helps construction teams understand the design and engineering choices visually. Thanks to BIM, construction companies can easily collaborate and make adjustments to a project during its life cycle. It ensures higher quality structures, lower expenses and faster project delivery. While BIM isn’t a new concept, digital technology has certainly accelerated its use across the sector.

Compared to 2D drawings, BIM provides a much more holistic view of projects and helps support problem-solving during the design stage. As a result, construction is becoming much more streamlined and efficient, which is an added benefit for civil engineers who can use the technology to improve the clarity of their project designs. BIM will certainly play an even bigger role in the future of construction as digital technology continues to advance.

Prefabricated buildings

In recent years, the use of prefabricated buildings has become increasingly commonplace in construction companies. The global modular and prefabricated construction market is expected to grow from $101.7 billion in 2020 to $173.44 billion in 2027 – which shows the increasing demand for this type of construction. Prefabricated construction is now used in a range of projects, including housing blocks, homes, as well as sports halls and restaurants. The practice of assembling different components in a controlled environment and then transporting them to the construction site offers many key benefits, such as flexibility, sustainability and improved quality. Due to the pandemic, there’s now a greater need for more spaces within businesses and schools, so it’s no surprise the demand for prefabricated buildings has increased considering they can be delivered much more quickly. This means site superintendents will need to have a strong understanding of prefabricated construction to be able to effectively manage processes and production. Prefabricated construction will certainly effect many different roles and it will likely remain a key trend in the industry as the market grows and changes.

Are you looking for a new construction role?

TRS Staffing is a leading construction staffing agency with years of experience in hiring the best candidates for a wide range of roles. We place construction professionals in both permanent and temporary roles globally, and we have a highly motivated team of consultants. Our services span across entire construction projects and we’re able to provide our clients with the best candidates in every discipline. Contact us today to find out more about our construction jobs and keep reading our blog for news and insights.