The construction industry is at its peak nowadays, and skilled construction employees demand is higher than ever before. The vital driving force behind the boom of the construction industry is the increasing population and rising numbers of people living in urban areas. All of these factors have pushed construction workers’ demand up to a high level. On the other side, there is an inadequate supply of skilled labor to meet the needs of the construction companies. This shortage of workers will reduce the efficiency, profitability, and sustainability of firms and upset the growth of industry even though the construction industry is the 4th largest industry in Canada.
The shortage of fully skilled and trained construction workers is getting more and more serious and putting pressure on the construction firms. So not only these companies have to compete with other competitors in terms of getting new projects but also they have to put much efforts into finding the right workforce to deliver their construction projects effectively. The first time when the construction companies faced the labor shortage problem was in 2012, just as the real estate industry began emerging from the crash of early 2008. Since then, this problem has only become worse as construction projects have started to increase.
Because of the shortage of skilled workers on the construction sites, it takes longer to complete the structures. And at worse cases some projects are being entirely cancelled, because the contractor does not have the right workforce to deliver as per requirements. One solution which firms are seeking to improve their project schedules is by giving their workers extra hours allowances. Although current employees can be benefited financially however there is a limit on how much overtime an individual can work. Even some companies recruit less-skilled workers to meet the demand, but it’s a non standard practice because compliance with safety legislation is of utmost importance in the construction industry.
Are new construction tools a solution or a problem
The construction industry is embracing new technologies and equipment to improve their performance and productivity. The implementation of technology can also present workplace problems in terms of the expertise and training of employees for operating these tools. Typically, experienced employees have no know-how of the latest technologies and continue to use old methods to do their job. Companies should implement new technology gradually and progressively along with proper construction safety training programs to prevent any problems, instead of pushing them all at once on the workers.
It’s easy to see why the shortage has arisen but where it gets tricky is to find out how to counter the problem. And in the form of advanced technology, there is hope. Nevertheless, as the difference between the skilled workers ‘supply and demand grows, businesses are now adopting new construction methods and technologies. It’s an exciting time for the building industry to work using the latest technology but need to ensure the training and safety of the employees first. By generating less waste, reducing the use of material resources, improving performance and freeing up workforce for other projects, smart technologies can minimize costs and speed up project schedules.
The Best Way to Overcome the Shortage of Skilled Labor
Construction companies have to work proactively to find solutions for the issues of skilled labor shortages. Today’s employees want opportunities to continue learning and develop professionally, so as an employer you should keep them motivated by providing training. This results in more highly trained workers for your company, and it also brings loyalty back to these workers; because of the time and resources you have invested in them, they will feel respected. This will also help to reduce the demand supply gap for construction skilled workforce.
True North Safety being one of the best Safety Training Agency provides several occupational health and safety training certification courses such as First Aid Training and Construction safety training that are required at several work sites.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the lack of skilled workers, owners of small construction firms should start taking action. With these tactics, they are going to start solving the lack of construction jobs now and into the future.
