There\u2019s a great deal going on in the global AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) industry, much of which is influenced by current events, including the uncertainty regarding Brexit for the UK sector. A tightening of public purse strings, dreaded construction skills shortages and the resulting downward graph of productivity have been just a few of the factors pressuring construction projects lately. As manufacturing processes become increasingly automated and work sites attempt to improve their productivity through technological advances, there is a significant shortage of skilled workers. Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) in a BIM (Building Information Modelling) environment may be a modern solution to this modern challenge.<\/p>\n
There is a general perception that works against jobs in manufacturing. These jobs are considered dirty, low-tech, dangerous and low-paying, making them unpopular with the younger generation. According to a market survey conducted by a leading global construction company, labour shortages are becoming an international phenomenon in construction. The United Kingdom has seen a definite drop in the number of construction apprenticeships compared to 2018<\/span>.<\/p>\n Numerous jobs in construction have been lying vacant, because employers find it difficult to find and retain labour with the requisite skills, qualifications or experience. There is a class angle that looks at these \u2018dirty, outdoorsy\u2019 jobs as fit only for young people who do not have a college or university degree.<\/p>\n Typically, parents urge bright children to explore career paths in law, finance, medicine or mass media. Engineering, project management, quantity surveying, town planning and office management can be equally fulfilling and lucrative but are largely ignored.<\/p>\n In addition, very few employers are willing to risk training an apprentice or inexperienced newcomer for an important project to ease the skills shortage.<\/p>\n These shortages in skilled labour result in a negative impact on project delivery. For a major sector of a nation\u2019s economy (ie. In the UK, construction generates almost \u00a390 billion per year and employs approximately 10% of the workforce), this is a real problem. An additional aggravation in the construction sector is that the existing workforce is aging and may soon be out of commission. When experienced workers leave or retire, will they be adequately replaced? What needs to be done?<\/p>\nSolutions include the following:<\/h5>\n