Is construction still a viable career path?

by Media Xpose

By Roelof van den Berg, CEO of the Gap Infrastructure Corporation

It’s that time of year when students begin choosing their subjects and laying the foundation for their future studies and careers. With that in mind, there is an industry that many tend to overlook in the mistaken belief that all jobs within the sector are physically demanding with limited opportunities for career growth – construction.

The reality is that the construction landscape is evolving faster than ever as technological advancements, smart cities, and green building practices drive rapid changes, creating new staffing requirements. Digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), drones, and robotics are increasing efficiency and safety on job sites, reducing the physical toll on workers, but necessitating a much higher-skilled workforce.

In response, large-scale construction companies like the Gap Infrastructure Corporation (GIC) are developing novel roles to keep pace with these changes. These roles especially benefit those entering the field today, and include more specialised positions in project management, data analysis, and environmental sustainability – a shift reflecting the industry’s move to a more integrated and tech-driven approach.

However, despite these efforts, a substantial skills gap is forming as the employment market attempts to catch up. Additionally, while there is still demand for traditional construction skills, younger generations have been slower to enter the trade, often due to perceptions of construction as less glamorous or appealing than high-tech careers. Yet, this very gap presents a key opportunity to develop a viable career path, with companies offering competitive wages and benefits to attract new talent.

High-demand jobs in construction

For those looking to enter the field, several occupations particularly stand out. The 2024 National List of Occupations in High Demand, drafted by the Department of Higher Education and Training, cites construction project managers, civil engineers, explosives ordnance engineers, urban and regional planners, and draughtspeople as in-demand roles. These positions require a higher level of education, but also come with attractive compensation packages.

Furthermore, considering modern advancement across the industry, professions with a high degree of technical skills, such as data management managers, information technology managers, and remotely operated vehicle pilots, are also growing in importance, with new positions created regularly.

Industry veterans are constantly developing new approaches to respond to these technological advancements. GIC, for example, partners with tertiary training institutions such as LearnMe to upskill existing workers and cultivate the next generation of construction professionals, particularly in techniques that will be important for future construction projects.

Addressing the skills gap

Concerningly, the industry also has several critical high-demand positions with substantial vacancy rates, despite having sufficient available workers. These include bricklayers, plumbers, pipe fitters, welders, riggers, electricians, and crane or hoist operators. The need is not so much to train new workers, but to attract existing experienced and capable labourers back into the sector and improving hiring practices.

Demand for these occupations has sustained a slow rise in employment in the sector, but the potential for growth is much greater. As urban populations expand, cities are increasingly dealing with capacity challenges, elevated demand for core service infrastructure, and expectations for more modern designs utilising advanced building techniques and technology. These factors will make construction projects more complex, and soon culminate in a striking rise in demand for more experienced construction professionals.

GIC has also seen a considerable push from the state for infrastructure renewal, especially in aging cities and developing regions. Large-scale efforts to modernise and roll-out infrastructure in rural areas mean that construction is becoming more essential than ever, ensuring heightened demand and bright prospects for those joining the industry.

This said, the demand for construction services does fluctuate with the economy, influencing the number of projects that are greenlit and making it difficult to determine what the future will hold. But long-term trends fuelled by South Africa’s constant need for expansion, development, and new infrastructure, as well as the maintenance of existing buildings, roads, and service infrastructure, is expected to keep construction work in high demand.

Ultimately, while the industry faces challenges, its ongoing evolution presents numerous opportunities for growth and development – particularly for those willing to embrace new technologies and specialise in emerging roles.

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