August 2025
Construction is in an interesting spot. On one hand, it’s facing a persistent skilled labor shortage that’s driving up costs and leading to schedule delays.
On the other, it’s gaining momentum as advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, reality capture and automation reframe what it means to work in the field. These innovations don’t just streamline execution; they’re helping make construction “cool” again and attracting a new wave of tech-savvy talent to rebuild the workforce.
As the industry evolves, so are workforce expectations. Younger professionals aren’t just chasing paychecks—they want purpose, professional growth and the chance to make a real impact. Meeting those expectations is key to attracting, hiring and retaining the next generation.
Tech Is Changing What It Means to Work in Construction
For years, construction has struggled to attract new talent, in part because of how the work has been perceived. The combination of manual labor, long-term physical wear and tear and high safety risks hasn’t exactly made it an appealing option for many.
But that perception is shifting. Emerging technologies are changing the way construction work gets done—on the jobsite and off. Today’s roles often involve digital modeling, robotics, automation and data analysis. It’s no longer just about swinging hammers or operating heavy machinery.
Sure, it amps up productivity, but it’s more than that. It’s restructuring what a construction career looks like and enhancing its credibility in the eyes of a new generation. That matters, because younger workers—who grew up with tech in hand—are vital to filling the industry’s critical workforce and skills gaps.
To attract them, the industry must continually evolve with technology and leverage that evolution into a strategic advantage. So, how can individual companies stand out? By actively investing in and applying advanced technologies—not just in the back office, but across field operations, too.
Construction Tech Is Evolving, and So Are the Careers It’s Shaping
Understanding how technology is changing the work itself is only part of the hiring equation. The other part is recognizing how that shift is redefining the skills construction companies need to recruit and retain a tech-savvy workforce.
With more advanced systems and tools now central to project delivery, the construction technology skills required to operate and manage them are shifting fast.
Many roles that were traditionally manual now rely heavily on technology. Surveying and jobsite quality checks, for instance, can be handled by drone pilots using LiDAR and photogrammetry. Design and drafting? Increasingly managed by building information modeling (BIM) specialists, who create interactive 3D models embedded with real-time data. The core tasks haven’t changed—but the way they’re done definitely has.
Then there are the roles that barely existed in mainstream construction 15, 10, even five years ago: AI engineers, robotics operators—and yes, those same drone pilots and BIM specialists. These roles are becoming standard as digital tools become more ingrained in field and office workflows, helping companies tackle the construction labor shortage with more innovative solutions.
Clearly, the challenge of modernizing hiring practices involves much more than just updating job titles. What tech skills are must-haves in today’s job descriptions? What training do current teams need to stay relevant? And how do companies plan to build an innovative workforce that can keep pace—not just with project demands, but with the direction of the industry?
This kind of forward-thinking approach is the only way to stay competitive and viable in a market where technology isn’t optional anymore—it’s foundational.
Purpose and Impact Matter to the Next Generation
Now, all that said, tech-enabled opportunities alone may not be enough to convince a new cohort of talent to jump on the construction bandwagon.
What else can move the needle? Purpose. Something meaningful beyond themselves. Younger generations tend to be more socially and environmentally minded—and highly aware of how both personal and global actions ripple outward. And given the size, scale and broad impact of a build, especially a megaproject, construction is an ideal place for job seekers who want to make a difference.
Is your company building EV plants, semiconductor fabs or data centers? You’ll need a tech-savvy workforce to construct those facilities and the smart infrastructure behind their precision manufacturing. You’ll also require technicians to operate the robotics that install components and automate critical project tasks.
Are you taking steps to build and operate more sustainably? Job candidates concerned about climate change will want to know if you’re measuring and managing carbon emissions, using BIM to optimize design and material usage, or applying value engineering to assess materials and processes throughout the project lifecycle.
It’s up to you to show the incoming workforce how your technologies and practices align with the causes and values they care about most.
From Building Cool Structures to Building Cool Careers
Construction’s tech-driven transformation isn’t just streamlining project delivery and improving cost and schedule outcomes—it’s making the industry a compelling, future-forward career path for the next generation.
You need new talent to replace a shrinking labor pool and fill roles that support a more digital, data-driven way of building. Meanwhile, they’re looking for careers that tap into their native tech skills and let them be part of something that matters.
Having the right technology makes a difference—not just in how projects are delivered, but in how companies attract and retain the people who will see them through.
Contruent is helping construction leaders stay ahead by embracing the technology that today’s workforce expects. Its lifecycle cost management solution, Contruent Enterprise, equips project owners and construction companies with the digital tools to estimate costs, plan budgets and manage performance from day one. It sets the stage for faster, smarter, more successful projects, and a construction technology career path and workplace that speak to the next generation.
Want to see how it works? Learn more or request a demo today.