It’s time to tear down the outdated view of the construction industry to build the future construction workforce.
Construction is no longer just men donned in hard hats swinging hammers. These days, construction sites are filled with people from all walks of life, paper drawings have been replaced by digital designs displayed on iPads, and new technology is making the work safer, more efficient and more sustainable.
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And, now is a great time to prepare for a construction career — a field where modern technology, a diverse workforce and abundant job opportunities have become the hallmarks of a thriving industry that has added 235,000 jobs in the last year, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Technology renovates site operations
Robots and drones help track a project’s progress, saving time for field engineers and leading to more accurate analyses of costs and timelines for stakeholders.
New technology is also helping laborers and skilled vehicle operators do their jobs. Emerging tech includes exoskeletons, which increase workers’ strength for lifting materials, and remotely controlled and autonomous earthmoving vehicles, eliminating the need for drivers to be onsite in hot, tough conditions.
Incorporating new technologies onsite is also leading to new career opportunities in the field. Digital engineers are needed to deploy and control electronic design and other data for builders. Data analysts use parameters from jobs to forecast costs at completion and develop accurate models for future estimates.
Even information technology, or IT, is now critical on job sites, as use of connected devices is essential to all workers — from craftspeople to senior managers. These advances on construction sites are creating a growing demand for tech-savvy professionals and leaders.
Innovation increases opportunities
Construction’s changes and innovations open the door to a wider variety of potential employees, including women, who have traditionally been underrepresented in the field. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that women make up an increasing share of construction workers, and many companies are enhancing their recruitment efforts and ramping up accommodations to meet the needs of a more diverse workforce.
As chair of the construction engineering and construction management programs in the Del E. Webb School Construction, part of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, I’ve seen an increase in women represented among our students as well.
In our classrooms, about 20% of students are women, as evidenced in my spring 2024 semester of ASU’s CON 495 Construction Planning and Scheduling course, in which 24 out of 111 students were women. Our programs are also seeing many more women going into construction management roles after graduation.
The construction industry is ripe for opportunity for all of our graduates. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an increase of 22,900 construction management positions between 2022 and 2032, representing a higher than average rate compared with all jobs surveyed.
A job for every graduate
Our undergraduate programs have nearly a 100% placement rate. Our alumni are constructing data centers, transit projects, high-tech manufacturing facilities, homes and more — advancing modern civilization and meeting its needs. We are rebuilding America’s infrastructure.
Del E. Webb School of Construction students gain hands-on experience through two required internships with our network of industry supporters and a variety of student organizations to put their management skills to the test.
We support students as well to ensure they’re equipped for workforce success. Donors provided $240,000 in scholarships for the 2023–24 academic year, and our strong academic resources for students resulted in a recent retention rate of 84.8%.
A college degree provides the best path to management and equips graduates with the technological knowledge and soft skills to succeed in the modern workplace. At Del E. Webb, we’re training leaders ready for fulfilling, successful careers in the well-paid and high-tech construction field.
Learn more about the Del E. Webb School of Construction at construction.asu.edu.
Author: Timothy Becker is programs chair in the Del E. Webb School of Construction, part of the Fulton Schools.
