TechBrief

Despite signs the overall economy may be slowing, most construction firms expect demand for their services and hiring will expand in 2020, yet even more firms are worried about their ability to find qualified workers to hire, according to survey results released by AGC of America and Sage Construction and Real Estate. Nearly half anticipate increasing IT investment, and the need for mobile capabilities on jobsites drive the largest usage of cloud-based technology. The findings are detailed in Strong Demand for Work Amid Stronger Demand for Workers: The 2020 Construction Hiring and Business Outlook Report.
 

“Contractors are very optimistic about demand for construction in 2020,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, AGC's CEO. “At the same time, many construction executives are troubled by labor shortages and the impacts those shortages are having on operations, training and safety programs, and bottom lines.”

 

Construction employment increased by 1,000 jobs in November and by 146,000, or 2.0 percent, over the past 12 months, according to an analysis of new government data by AGC of America. Association officials said recent modest monthly increases in industry employment likely reflect the difficulty contractors are having in finding workers rather than a letup in demand. Officials urged federal officials to pass the JOBS Act and boost funding for career and technical education programs to help ease labor shortages.

Now more than ever, workers on jobsites are enjoying greater comfort thanks to technological advances in workwear materials and employers who notice that the best gear for safety is not one-size-fits-all

For any company with a fleet of light- or medium-duty vehicles, increasing profitability often comes down to fostering an environment of greater employee accountability.

Constructor's Software Services Guide is a special buyers' guide that contains detailed information on companies and businesses that provide software services and products to the construction industry.

Several years ago, the construction industry shifted from paper files to electronic files, moving away from reliance on paper documents to deliver large-scale construction projects. At that time, Balfour Beatty was kicking off an $800 million contract to renovate two terminals at the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and needed to collaborate digitally among numerous teams.