The UK Construction industry is changing and there is a rising need for specialised skillsets within the workforce with the increased use of automation, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

In this blog from Autodesk, discover which 10 new job roles will be needed on the job site in the next 5 years.

Look around any construction site in a few years’ time and you might see a few new people on the team, along with architects, engineers and tradespeople. With tools like automation, artificial intelligence and robotics on the rise across the industry, there’s a growing need for workers with specialised skillsets, as well as a new cohort of emerging construction roles on the horizon.  

A global survey by ABB Robotics found that 91% of large and small construction businesses in Europe, the US and China say they face a skills crisis over the next 10 years. “To bridge this skills gap, firms must help their workforce make the most of new technological tools, change their ways of working and plan for new roles to harness the power of emerging technology,” says Amanda Fennell, Director of Marketing, EMEA, Autodesk. 

To succeed in this new world and make the most of quicker, safer, greener and more cost-effective solutions, construction firms and contractors need to future-proof their strategy and approach, starting with their workforce. 

Emerging tech driving a wave of change 

Construction has lagged other industries when it came to adopting the latest technology, but the pandemic has helped catalyse the construction industry’s digital transformation. A recent Autodesk report found 95% of UK construction companies plan to invest in emerging technologies, such as offsite manufacturing and 3D printing, by 2027. 

With this seachange in mind, now is the time to start strengthening your workforce by attracting new talent, upskilling workers and giving them the digital tools to help improve their productivity and job satisfaction. 

“Start by understanding your team’s current capabilities and anticipate the new skills they’ll have to develop to meet the needs of the business,” says Amanda Fennell, Director of Marketing, EMEA, Autodesk. 

 “Upskilling and reskilling your teams will help you unlock hidden potential, stay competitive and offer a better customer experience.”  

The new roles for which you’ll need to hire 

Robot resource manager 

According to a survey by ABB, 81% of construction businesses across Europe, the US and China plan to introduce or increase their use of robotics in the next decade. 

From 3D printing and modelling, assembly line production and helping make manual labour roles safer, not to mention enabling production teams to operate 24/7 shifts, having robotics on your team is a sure way to improve production, efficiency and safety. The robotic resource manager adds a much-needed element of human quality assurance and takes care of the maintenance, programming and recycling of robotic parts.   

Cybersecurity expert 

Cyberattacks are on the up across critical infrastructure sectors, says Gartner, causing delays, business disruption and financial impact. From blueprints and schematics to change orders and vendor information, construction companies share vast amounts of data daily with multiple stakeholders to keep projects moving. To protect this data, cybersecurity experts are a must. 

Artificial intelligence architect 

Over the next five years, we’ll continue to see architects increasingly using VR headsets, designing in real time or holding design meetings in a 3D modelling environment, for example, with changes made there and then. In fact, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that we’ll see artificial intelligence architects working hand in hand with onsite robots. 

Drone operator 

PwC estimates there will be almost 5,000 drones in use by 2030 in the construction and manufacturing industries across the UK, while drone technologies will lead to GDP uplifts of GBP 8.6 billion in the same sectors.   

From initial mapping and surveying to tracking progress and security, drones are a relatively cost-effective way to improve efficiency, productivity and safety. They need a human operator, however,  to ensure they operate correctly and safely. 

Information manager 

Data is at the heart of any construction project, so it must be stored correctly and securely. The information manager’s role is to see that all project information is accurate and accessible to everyone when needed.  

Green building consultant 

With increasing demands for greener practices, construction is becoming more sustainable. In a global survey across multiple sectors, 47% of construction and engineering executives said sustainability was a major concern. That means sustainable design experts will be crucial. Green building consultants help architects and construction workers design and work more sustainably. They also ensure companies meet green building standards and guidelines, and provide best practice advice.   

Computational engineer 

Computational design uses a combination of algorithms and parameters to solve design problems. It’s a broad term that covers many activities, ranging from design generation to task automation. It’s positioned to revolutionise the architecture, engineering and construction industry by improving productivity, mitigating design risks and reducing project costs. 

Data analyst 

Construction sites are awash with data, from design and BIM data to project management and financial reports. By identifying patterns and trends in existing data, you gain key insights to help you reduce risks, improve performance and boost efficiency. Data analysts help manage and assess data processes, and identify areas for improvements.  

Software developer 

As the world becomes increasingly digitised, almost every industry benefits from employing software developers, including construction. A software developer designs and builds programmes that help your business run more effectively across multiple areas, including project management, accounting, scheduling and bid management processes. 

Building assembly technician 

A construction assembly technician interprets project drawings, specifications and other information and uses this data to assemble elements or products offsite, ensuring everything is built to budget and on time.  

In an era of monumental change, planning and preparation is key. For more on the future of the construction industry and ways to upskill your workforce, visit Autodesk’s digital Builder blog.