A High-tech Industry

At the risk of repeating myself from last year around this time, it's time to focus on the strange anomaly of a construction industry rapidly going digital and employing the latest technology to meet a number of huge challenges that affect the lives of everybody, from climate change, material shortages, to the rising cost of living and so on, yet remains one of the most unpopular career prospects for a youth immersed in the whole panoply of computer technology, who live virtual lives on social platforms, orwhodevote themselves to the latest political cause in an attempt to 'change the world'.

There are more older construction workers leaving the profession than youngsters taking their places, exacerbated by the flight of workers from Europe. The construction industry is even more unpopular in ethnic communities, who represent a very small percentage of the total workforce, although the numbers of women entering the profession is rising slightly – with a number of factors to thank for that, and not least the energetic efforts of leading women already in the profession.

In this issue, both Autodesk and Topcon outline their responses to the issue, which basically entailsexplaining to potential newcomers how the construction industry is evolving, using digital technology to automate and refine working processes, and attempting to meet and conquer the challenges that will improve their lives, and those of their compatriots.

We've got Futurebuild coming round again in few short months, as well, providing an ideal opportunity for contractors to work with students in their local catchment areas and to promote visits to the show. It's the biggest showpiece on the industry, andshould be the springboard for a whole new generation of digital builder.

David Chadwick

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