3 Trends Impacting Construction Jobs Right Now

As a construction worker, you’ve had your share of aches and pains after a hard day’s work. But keeping tabs on what’s happening in your industry doesn’t have to be painful.

Whether you’re wrapping up a build-out and thinking about your next job or you’re just getting started, it’s important to take a wide-eyed peek down the pipeline.

The construction industry is changing ... fast. Thanks to the growing economy, new construction projects are on the rise. That translates to high demand for general labor and skilled trades experience.

And guess what else? Wages are higher, too.

So how should you take advantage of the current job market and position yourself for the future? Uncover what the biggest construction trends could mean for you.

1. The future of construction work is (more) technology

When it comes to rapid change, there’s nothing faster than the world of technology. If you didn’t think the latest tech would completely collide with your industry, think again. Tech is reconstructing construction.

Drones, construction management software like CoConstruct and Corecon, and 3D printing and modeling will hit the job site soon if they haven’t already. You may have tuned us out at “drones,” but try to picture these tools as team players instead of the enemy.

Why is all this tech needed? Materials and skilled labor cost construction companies more than in the recent past, so  builders are turning to computerized gadgets and systems to improve efficiency.

If you want to be in high demand in the future, get familiar with these technologies — especially before these next-gen skills require licenses and certifications.

2. The future of construction is prefabricated

Construction companies cutting their costs are turning to prefabricated and predesigned buildings. Going forward, construction will focus more on assembling premade components.

Heavy machinery operators won’t be displaced by automation. After all, they place materials more precisely than any machine can, especially if they’re getting assistance from a drone.

Prefabricated constructions still require foundation work customized to ground conditions, but thanks to new industrial gluing compounds built into prefabricated sectioning, there will be less masonry work after that.

3. The future of construction jobs is green

Sustainability isn’t just the latest buzzword — it’s a reality in the construction industry. Finding the most eco-friendly materials for the job has become super important, especially because of tax incentives for reducing environmental impacts.

The takeaway? Lean in to any opportunity to work with sustainable materials. You may also want to learn and develop expertise on green construction features, such as solar panel installation, turbine maintenance or green roofing.

To help you transition into greener, more sustainable construction practices, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) offers a program for construction and building trades personnel. It’s worth checking out.

Embrace change now

Since the construction job market is strong and likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future, it’s important to keep up with or get ahead of all these trends. Consider working with a construction recruiter to ease the process and construct a plan — pun intended.