The construction industry's need for new skills has not gone away, even though housing construction in particular has been frozen for a couple of years, says Rakennusteollisuus RT's skills needs survey. Based on the survey, three out of four companies estimate that the industry's labor demand will increase over the next ten years.
Construction companies have had challenges finding skilled labor even during the economic crisis, although recruitment has become easier compared to RT's previous skills needs assessment.
"Fifty-five percent of the company representatives who responded to the skills needs survey have encountered difficulties in finding the necessary professional skills this year. Almost a quarter of the respondents estimate that the need for labor will increase already in the coming year. The recruitment challenges were felt to be the biggest in SMEs and the infrastructure sector", RT's education policy expert Saku Lehtinen sum the results.
In addition, 75 percent of the respondents estimate that the labor demand in the entire construction industry will increase in the next 10 years. In the companies, several drivers of the need for manpower and skills were identified for the next few years.
"There were enough reasons, from the reconstruction of Ukraine to the aging of the population. Digitization, the green transition and climate change, as well as the change in construction processes, which create new skills needs, were also mentioned," Lehtinen describes.
"The industry needs to improve its progress in diversity work"
Compared to the previous survey, conducted in 2021, more and more companies in the construction industry have recruited experts with a foreign background. Now, as a new matter, companies were asked whether the background of the person being recruited matters if the skills are sufficient. 37 percent of the respondents agreed with the statement.
By far the most open to the diversity of recruits were those companies that had previously hired experts with a foreign background. Based on the survey, these companies value the attitude, language skills and professionalism of international experts.
"The results are promising, but also mean that we need to further improve our progress in diversity work in the construction industry. Together, we must be an attractive option for more and more people, including for example women and those with immigrant backgrounds", RT's board chairman Timo Vikström toteaa.
In the construction industry, about a fifth of the workforce has a foreign background. Based on the survey, only four percent of the workforce has an international background among white-collar workers.
"In addition to companies, universities and customers should work bravely to ensure that our image of a typical expert in the construction industry begins to diversify. At the same time, it must be ensured that foreign speakers develop the language skills needed for work," challenges Vikström.
The operating environment requires continuous learning
Those who chose the construction industry have had reasonable conditions to supplement their skills as their career progresses. Also in the survey, the respondents' satisfaction with the continuing education offer had increased.
"Megatrends such as climate change and digitalization are shaping our industry strongly. Some of the changes can be quick and even surprising. That's why we will need a wide variety of experts and continuous learning solutions", Timo Vikström outlines.
"Continuous learning is vital in the construction industry, and its prerequisites must not be undermined. For example, in reducing emissions or utilizing artificial intelligence, there are interesting opportunities in the field that may remain unexploited without smooth continuing education."
On Wednesday, October 9.10.2024, 462, RT announced a report on the workforce and skills needs of construction companies at the Finnbuild trade fair. The survey, which was the basis of the report, received 316 responses from 2024 RT member companies. The responses were collected in May–August 17,1. The response rate was 2021, while it was 15,5 in XNUMX.
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Additional information: Saku Lehtinen | Timo Vikström (timo.vikstrom@kreate.fi)