Industry Spotlight: Building the Construction Workforce of Tomorrow

The construction industry is at a turning point. With material costs climbing, project delays increasing, and an aging workforce exiting faster than new talent can replace them, leaders across the sector are asking the same question: how do we build a stronger, more resilient workforce ready for what comes next?

Our new guide, Building the Construction Workforce of Tomorrow, answers that question head-on. Designed for people leaders, HR teams, operations managers, and internal communicators, this guide explores how culture – not just processes or technology – is the foundation that will determine which construction companies survive today’s challenges and thrive in tomorrow’s recovery.

An industry under pressure – and why culture is the overlooked solution

There are key forces reshaping the construction landscape: global supply chain disruptions, economic uncertainty, climate pressures, and chronic staffing shortages. While these challenges aren’t new, their scale and speed have compounded, putting immense strain on project delivery and profitability.

But beneath the economic and logistical issues lies something deeper: a culture problem. Younger workers often view construction as outdated, unsafe, or lacking advancement opportunities. Communication gaps between the field and the front office create confusion and rework. And a long-standing stigma around mental health has left many workers suffering in silence.

Construction doesn’t just need more workers – it needs a stronger, more connected employee experience.

What you'll find inside

1. A current overview of the construction landscape

The guide breaks down the financial, operational, and workforce pressures construction companies are facing today. From rising materials costs to the looming retirement cliff among skilled tradespeople, readers get a clear picture of why traditional ways of working are no longer enough.

2. The biggest challenges impacting workforce stability

Readers will explore the four major obstacles hindering performance and retention:

• Negative industry perceptions, especially among younger talent.
• Persistent labor shortages and difficulty hiring skilled craftspeople.
• Lagging digital adoption and manual processes that slow teams down.
• A mental health crisis affecting productivity, safety, and well-being.

This section doesn’t just outline the problems – it explains their real financial and cultural impact on teams, timelines, and client relationships.

3. A 4-point solution for building a culture of efficiency and resilience

Leaders will learn actionable strategies designed specifically for construction environments:

• Modernize your tech stack to reduce manual work, increase visibility, and give workers mobile access to critical information.
• Strengthen communication between the frontline and the front office to reduce delays, prevent rework, and build unity across teams.
• Invest in training and upskilling to get new hires job-ready faster while empowering existing workers to grow.
• Create a culture of recognition and care, addressing mental health needs and building pride, belonging, and commitment.
• Each solution is backed by practical steps, insights, and examples that leaders can implement right away.

4. The tools and technologies shaping the future of construction

From drones and digital twins to BIM and AI-powered safety monitoring, the guide explores the innovations already reshaping how projects get delivered. More importantly, it explains how people leaders can prepare their workforce to operate confidently in a more digital, interconnected environment.

5. A vision for one unified workforce culture

The guide concludes with a clear message: construction companies that thrive in the coming years will be the ones who communicate better, train smarter, invest in their people, and operationalize culture as a competitive advantage. 

The takeaway: Culture is the way forward for construction

The market may be cooling in 2025, but a rebound is forecast for 2026 – and the companies best positioned to capture that upswing will be the ones that use this time to modernize, upskill, and reconnect their workforce.

Building the Construction Workforce of Tomorrow gives leaders the blueprint to do exactly that.