Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/674548
I DA U N I V E R S A L M ay -J u n e 2 0 1 6 17 Trends continued on page 19 An estimated 5.1 million jobs are expected to be lost in the next fi ve years due to advances in technology, specifi cally those in artifi cial intelligence, machine-learning, 3D printing and robotics, according to a report from the World Economic Forum. Of those job losses, construction and extraction are anticipated to account for nearly 10 percent. e fi ndings are based on a survey of HR and strategic executives at 371 companies around the globe. ough the vast majority of the total job losses is expected to be in the offi ce and administrative job sector (4.76 million), manufacturing and production (1.61 million) and construction and extraction (497,000) sectors round out the top three. For the last few years, the U.S. construction industry has been grappling with a shortage of skilled workers. e lack of ability has led to numerous delays as fi rms struggle to keep up with a growing list of projects. According to the WEF report's executive summary, "Even jobs that will shrink in number are simultane- ously undergoing change in the skill sets required to do them. Across nearly all indus- tries, the impact of techno- logical and other changes is shortening the shelf-life of employees' existing skill sets." at certainly appears to be true in the construction industry as the, albeit limited, adoption of technologies like GPS, machine control and automation could nullify many of those skills contractors are currently so desperately seeking. However, the report notes "technological disrup- tions such as robotics and machine learning – rather than completely replacing existing occupations and job categories – are likely to substitute specifi c tasks previously carried out as part of these jobs, freeing workers up to focus on new tasks and leading to rapidly changing core skill sets in these occupations." at could be the case in construction, with operators transitioning from working inside the machine to a command center, where they oversee the opera- tion of multiple machines with the help of telematics, automation and drone monitoring. And all of that requires the devel- opment of new jobs and skill sets within the industry. Another bright spot in the report for the construction industry is the technological advances that are anticipated to generate an additional 339,000 new jobs in architec- ture and engineering. In terms of recommen- dations to avoid signifi cant job losses, the WEF says the severity of losses is largely in the hands of employers. And its advice is certainly something more construction fi rms would do well to heed, as it would not only prepare the industry for the disruption of automation, but also increase the number of skilled workers available today. "During previous indus- trial revolutions, it o en took decades to build the training systems and labor market institutions needed to develop major new skill sets on a large scale. Given the upcoming pace and scale of disruption brought about by the Fourth Industrial Revolu- tion, however, this is simply not be an option," the report reads. "Without targeted action today to manage the near-term transition and build a workforce with future- proof skills, governments will have to cope with ever- growing unemployment and inequality, and businesses with a shrinking consumer base. "… For a talent revolution to take place, governments and businesses will need to profoundly change their approach to education, skills and employment and their approach to working with each other. Businesses will need to put talent development and future workforce strategy front and center to their growth. Firms can no longer be passive consumers of ready-made human capital. ey require a new mindset to meet their talent needs and to optimize social outcomes." ● www.equipmentworld.com, 1/16 AI, Robotics Expected to Claim Nearly 500,000 Construction Jobs by 2020 TRENDS AND TIDBITS continued from page 15