Do You Have What It Takes to Make It in the Future of Construction?
The construction industry is heading towards a boom. The improving economy is finally opening up more development opportunities. But, the construction industry is also changing. Technological innovation is changing the way things get built. There will always be construction jobs, but in the future those jobs will require different skills than the construction jobs of today. Are you ready for the future of construction?
The Role of Technology in Construction
Technology has already disrupted the way industries from taxis drivers to travel agents to bookstores operate. These same disruptive forces are coming to construction. Technologies like 3D printing, carbon nanotubes, and robot swarm construction will fundamentally change how things get built.
These technologies will eliminate some construction jobs and will it will change others. One job that these technologies will not eliminate, but will radically change is the job of construction superintendent. Someone will need to be in manage day to day operations and the technicians.
The same soft skills that make a great construction superintendent will still be in demand.
What a General Contractor Will Need From a Construction Superintendent in the Future
Builders will always adapt to the new market realities. They will embrace profit improving technologies. But, a general contractor will still need a team to get a project off the ground and completed.
General contractors will need construction superintendents that understand how the technologies work and understand how to make sure all of the people behind the contractors get the job done right the first time, deliver on time, and get everything done on budget.
In the future a construction superintendent may have to know how to work with drone operators instead of framing crews and how to follow-up with deskbound technicians instead of stereotypical construction workers.
Preparing Now to Grow With the Industry
Can construction superintendents future-proof themselves? Yes. If you want to make sure you aren’t replaced by some future version of an app for construction, you need to take three steps:
- Follow technology trends
- Improve management skills
- Change your mindset
If you want to still be part of the industry in ten years, you need to start following the latest technology trends. This includes technology that may not now seem related to construction. Ways to do this include reading technology news as it relates to the industry and following two or three technology blogs. This will help make you fluent in technology and will make it easier to adapt to whatever changes come to the construction industry.
The reason you won’t be replaced by a machine is because you will be able to manage the people and the machines that will be used in construction in the near future. The better your management skills are, the more valuable you will be.
If you want to be a part of the future of the construction industry you need to change the way you think about your job and the industry. You need to always be looking to learn new skills. You need to look at getting new skills and acquiring knowledge as an investment in your future. You need to learn to adapt quickly to new techniques and technologies.
We're Hiring!
The future of the construction industry is going to be exciting. Jetton General Contracting Inc is looking for a new brand of builder that understands that future. Join us, and let’s build a future around you!
About Jetton General Contracting, Inc.
Jetton General Contracting, a wholly owned, independent general contractor, specializes in complex and fast paced construction projects across multiple industries. Starting as an Electrical Contractor over 42 years ago, the company added to its core focus in 1998 to include work performed as the general contractor. At that time, they also began to build a national infrastructure that would allow the company to service customers across the U.S. Jetton attributes their success to three core competencies that all employees share; to be comprehensive, to be innovative and to be precise in everything they do.