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Evolution of an Industry

Editorial Type: Industry Focus     Date: 01-2016    Views: 2252      





We asked Kenny Ingram, Director of Construction at IFS, to let us know what he considers will be the main issues in the Construction Industry in 2016 and beyond - apart, of course, from the BIM Level 2 deadline in April.

SKILLS SHORTAGE
IFS Prediction: Within five years we will see an increase of graduates in the construction sector by at least 20%

CONTEXT:
In the next few years we are going to see an increase in the intake of high calibre graduates into the construction sector due to the increasing demand for technology in the industry. As construction becomes more geared to Building Information Modelling (BIM)/Internet of Things (IoT)/3D printing and digital cities it will begin to attract more and more young minds into the sector.

As we move towards a truly digital world and digital asset lifecycle, construction will become a more technological based industry, thereby encouraging innovative people into the sector.

EXAMPLE:
Take the UK as an example. It has an ageing construction workforce (like many other countries) with 25 percent over 50 and 15 percent over 60. This demonstrates that it's now more important than ever to encourage bright young graduates into the business. The engineering, construction and infrastructure industry accounts for over six percent of the world's largest economies from a GDP perspective and therefore must not be underestimated as a great career opportunity for young people. The construction industry builds some incredibly impressive assets including airports, high speed railways, tunnels under the ocean and sports stadiums. We need to show graduates that it's hugely rewarding to see one of these assets being completed as a direct impact of their efforts.

TOPIC: 3D PRINTING
IFS Prediction: Within 20 years 50% of all buildings will use 3D printing technology

CONTEXT:
With housing shortages around the world and huge increases in population being predicted, technology can play a huge role in new ways to approach the construction of housing. With technology like 3D printing, houses can be built at a fraction of the cost, showing that you cannot solve the housing problem by simply deploying traditional building practices. In one fell swoop you can reduce the cost of building and speed up the rate at which houses are completed.

EXAMPLE:
For example in China they produced 10 3D printed buildings in 24 hours. With this rate of production it's impossible to overlook the impact it could have on housing shortages and increasing populations. Other areas of technology such as BIM in particular can facilitate greater use of 3D printing in construction.

At the heart of BIM is a CAD-driven, 3D design model that enables you to visualise assets in three dimensions. Many working in construction see BIM as a way to deliver projects faster and at a lower cost; similar expectations to those connected with 3D printing. As with 3D printing the crucial thing here is to demonstrate the capabilities of BIM to encourage the construction sector's uptake of the technology.

TOPIC: WORKPLACE TRENDS
IFS Prediction: Telecommuting will increase by at least 100% in the next 10 years and by 300% in the next 20 years

CONTEXT:
In every large city around the world you have people living on the periphery who spend many hours commuting to and from the metropolis and in some cases this isn't sustainable or healthy. As more and more young people come into the construction sector, particularly high calibre graduates, we will start to see a trend towards more telecommuting and flexible working. This will have a direct impact on the need for more infrastructure outside cities, for example more hospitals and schools and further advances to water and electricity in the areas.

As mobility increases in the workplace this will have a further impact on the need to create housing outside of cities. In turn this will change the landscape of cities and suburbs. Population growth and changing working patterns result in a need for technology to drive fundamental change. For example Skype has made video conferencing possible for meetings with colleagues working remotely. In the next few years we expect to see many innovations that support telecommuting and mobile working.

The next generation of managers will have been brought up with technology their entire lives and will see the working environment in a new and different light to the generation above them.
www.ifsworld.com

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