How 3D Construction Models Can Help with Labour Shortages

The construction industry, like many others, was dealt a severe blow during COVID, when supply chain issues raised material costs and pushed back deadlines.

Moving out of the pandemic era, construction has returned as a major part of the Australian economy, employing approximately 1.3 million people – but there are concerns about a decline in the number of skilled tradespeople in the industry.

The shortage is due to several factors, including high numbers of skilled tradespeople who are reaching retirement age and fewer people entering the industry. In fact, the Master Builders Association estimates that 486,000 workers need to enter the building and construction industry by the end of 2026 to keep up with demand and current population growth.

At the same time, thanks to new materials and techniques, the complexity of houses is increasing. A simple roof may be quicker to construct, but if a house requires more sophisticated cladding and eaves, you need workers who have the skills and knowledge to complete them.

Offering better wages and incentives to attract apprentices and more qualified workers can help, but as the construction labour shortage continues, it may not be a sustainable solution, and it usually makes tight budgets and profit margins even tighter.

By leveraging the power of 3D design, you can better deal with labour shortages by making the most of the workforce you have:

• 3D models lead to better, more accurate estimates, so you can save money in other areas and hire the team you need.
• When you can see the entire project from the beginning and automate where possible, you can fix problems virtually before the build takes place and construct some elements off-site, saving labour time, improving productivity, and reducing waste.
• With clear direction from the beginning and real-time reporting, you improve communication and eliminate outdated workflows that can slow your team and contractors down – and digital collaboration between design, construction, and engineering teams reduces the need for manual labour on site.
• By seeing the entire layout in 3D before you build, it can help to upskill tradies who haven’t built that way before or are lacking skills in some areas. In short, 3D gives them the tools to upskill and be better at what they do.
• Many tech-savvy young professionals are attracted to jobs where they can use digital tools and solutions and may be more likely to accept work from companies that embrace new technologies.

If you’re interested in learning more about using the power of 3D models to help you deal with labour shortages and improve your entire estimating and building processes, contact V2E today.