What’s shaping your industry in 2023?

The construction industry is always changing and evolving.

With new ways of working always appearing, it can be hard for small trade and construction companies to stay across the latest areas of growth and potential.

There are already plenty of new opportunities making their way into the industry ahead of 2023, with one clear stand-out issue that almost every business will have to face: skill shortages.

Let’s dive into five big upcoming trends and find out where your business can get ahead.

Skill shortages

The biggest issue facing construction and trade in 2023 will likely be skill shortages – a recent survey shows 71% of employers are already having difficulty meeting worker requirements. Ways to address this might include:

Removing barriers to entry

Supporting a better flow between tertiary education systems would create a more coherent flow between VET courses and higher education sectors.

Improving apprenticeships

Ensure your business provides solid and consistent apprentice/trainee incentives, building your workforce and encouraging more completions.

Creating a ‘never-stop-learning’ culture

Support a training system that’s capable of flexibly upskilling your existing workers, giving easier access to short, stackable training options like microcredentials.

Modular design

Quickly becoming one the big building methods of choice, modular design sees the construction job done off-site, then brought together on-site.

It’s faster

Building off-site in a controlled environment removes weather interruptions and allows for multiple parts of the project to be completed at once.

It’s greener

Building modular creates less waste, making it easier to recycle materials and control inventory. Buildings can also be refurbished or moved entirely, cutting down on energy use and materials needed for new projects.

It’s more efficient

Meeting all the same codes as conventional buildings, this method prioritises cost efficiency to build quicker, safer and more affordably, making it highly appealing to contractors and their clients. 

Sustainable building practices

With construction being a major contributor to Australia’s overall fossil fuel emissions, environmentally-friendly practices are a highly appealing benefit to most clients. These can include:

Minimising waste
Look at how your business generates and deals with waste before and after a job, particularly when it comes to demolitions.

Choosing eco-friendly materials
Choosing green materials from sustainable suppliers also helps to reduce the impact of a project long-term.

Sourcing locally
Going local means supporting the local economy whilst also cutting down on emissions related to transporting materials further.

Remote worksites

2020 was a tumultuous time for construction, balancing pandemic safety protocols with maintaining productivity. The upside? With mobile access and remote work taking the load, their full potential is now being recognised.

More work done off site 

Construction is less tied to the physical site, with mobile tech allowing your team to complete tasks in a more flexible and agile way.

Better documentation and communication

Remote working allows your crew to provide accurate photo documentation to clients, contractors and inspectors, and to be agile in responding to comments or issues.

Saving time and money

The net result in this general streamlining is a faster turnaround, with both clients’ and businesses’ bottom lines enjoying the benefits.