Few would deny that technology has the potential to address the construction industry's productivity issues. Traditional design, production, and operating processes may all be accelerated and automated with the use of a 'digital twin,' or digital counterpart of a physical object. As a result, it may be used as the foundation for prefabrication and as a more important way of increasing industrialised efficiency.

A digital twin is a computer model of a real object. A digital twin, unlike a static as-built, is dynamic and constantly recalibrating to represent the asset's current condition. By allowing continual updates of digital assets from the real objects they represent, the 3D model becomes a digital twin. As-built data and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies give a real-time picture of the asset. The real-time data that digital twins give helps to promote cooperation across many stakeholders and construction phases, democratising project information and enabling efficiency gains.

How Technology Is Attracting the Next Generation of Builders

Construction technology like these may certainly aid teams in increasing productivity and decreasing inefficiency, but the demand for human expertise isn't going away anytime soon. Technology is sometimes misunderstood as a job-replacement tool, but it actually automates the duties that put employees at danger, as well as providing new occupations that didn't exist before. Even the most advanced technological devices do not program or maintain themselves.

Only 3% of Gen Z young adults (ages 18-25) want to work in construction because they believe the labour is physically hard and challenging, and they would rather work in an office.

This might be perplexing to people who work in the sector and recognise the lucrative prospects it presents. However, we don't always do a good job of portraying the broad spectrum of construction occupations, perpetuating the idea that construction is mostly made up of hard hat-wearing individuals doing risky work.

Furthermore, money isn't the only motivator for Gen Z. They also want to pursue work that is important, stimulating, and allows them to develop in their careers. The way building is usually depicted does not directly address these motivations. However, stressing the building industry's technological prospects does.

Mixed reality (MR) and augmented reality (AR) are often employed in construction, which surprises many young people. They don't understand that working in construction allows them to use modern technology like 3D laser scanning, AI and machine learning, GNSS-enabled machine control, and self-driving cars.

By introducing students to construction technology, innovative educational initiatives are helping to change the narrative around construction. However, more investment and attention on technology is required. Businesses can operate more effectively now and recruit the next generation of construction workers to fulfil tomorrow's development potential by fully using technology.