The country is urbanizing faster than the construction industry can keep pace. The labor shortage in this industry is exacerbated by the fact that many workers are now reaching retirement age. There are also less individuals entering the field. As a result, many companies and contractors are struggling to staff their projects with experienced staff and productivity is grinding to a halt.
All of these reasons – as well as the natural evolution and advancement of technology – has contributed to an increased interest and investment in robotics. Many of the jobs in the construction industry, especially the lower paying menial work, are being automated.
So, is this a good or bad thing? What do clients think of this change? And what does it mean for the future of jobs in construction? Let’s take a look at the main factors in play.
What Type of Work Is Robotics Taking Over?
Robotics are not going to replace every single construction job any time soon. As previously mentioned, it is largely the menial tasks that are being taking automated, like site excavation, painting, drywall installation, etc.
While this certainly cuts down on the number of individuals needed to complete a job, in all of these situations, a human is still needed to monitor the robotic labor.
What Is the General Consensus of Robotic Work?
For most individuals, it comes down to the bottom line. And robotics can definitely save a lot of money on a project. Not only can one robot often replace the labor of multiple workers, but they are able to work around the clock without breaks. This can greatly cut down on project times – another great cost savings.
Another big benefit that individuals realize is that robotic labor can often be more accurate than humans. This is particularly true when it comes to any calculations, such as project estimations or building parameters.
What Does the Future of Construction Look Like?
There is no doubt about it, the construction industry is certainly changing. But this does not necessarily mean that you should not be considering a career in this field. In fact, there is still quite a lot of opportunity.
As previously mentioned, there is currently a labor shortage. While robotics could be filling the need when it comes to low-skilled tasks, there is still a need for higher positions that require more knowledge and skill. There is also a lot of opportunity when it comes to learning how to work with this technology. So, in fact, pursuing a career in construction could be a very wise decision!
