Machine Control Can Be Your Extra Man in the Field: Addressing the Labor Shortage in Construction

Let’s face it—there’s no avoiding the elephant in the room: the construction industry faces a critical labor shortage worldwide, impacting project timelines, costs, and quality. Whether you’re working on commercial buildings, roads, or residential projects, finding skilled labor has become an uphill battle. But while this challenge is very real, the solution may lie not in people, but in technology. Specifically, advanced machine control systems are emerging as the go-to answer for companies looking to maintain productivity and efficiency with fewer hands on deck.

So, why exactly is the industry struggling to keep up with the demand for skilled labor? And how can machine control technology, which is already making waves in larger equipment, be adapted to help fill the gaps? Let’s dive in and take a closer look.

The Current Labor Shortage: A Growing Concern

The shortage of skilled workers in construction is a significant challenge. Finding skilled workers—whether it's bricklayers or engineers—is becoming like finding a needle in a haystack. This shortage is driving up costs and delaying projects, further complicating the construction landscape around the world.

The struggles can be seen worldwide from the United States to Europe:

United States

? The construction industry will need to attract an estimated 501,000 additional workers in 2024 to meet the demand for labor (Construction Citizen).

United Kingdom

? Approximately 12.4% of businesses in the construction sector report shortages, with an increasing number of vacancies and difficulties in finding skilled labor (Exploding Topics).

Europe

? In Europe, about 42% of companies in the construction sector report labor shortages as a factor limiting production (Eurofound).

But What's Going On?

Several factors contribute to the labor shortage, including long working hours, low wages, and lack of job security, but it can roughly be boiled down to three main reasons:

1???An aging workforce with insufficient replacement by younger workers ??

For years, the construction industry has relied on a robust workforce of skilled tradespeople. But as older workers retire and fewer young people enter the trades, companies are finding it harder to meet the demand for new projects.

2???Perception of construction as a less attractive career option ??

Construction is often seen as less attractive compared to other professions, which affects recruitment.

3???Inadequate training programs and apprenticeships ???

There is a deficit in comprehensive training and apprenticeship programs that prepare individuals for the complexities of modern construction work.

But that’s not the whole story. While the demand for skilled labor is outpacing supply, technology is stepping in to fill the gap.

Unicontrol is Your Extra Man in the Field:

Now, you might be wondering, “Can technology really help solve the labor shortage?” The answer is yes—and machine control is a prime example of how innovation can fill the gap. For those not familiar, machine control systems use GPS and advanced technologies to guide construction equipment with incredible precision. Whether it’s grading, digging, or trenching, machine control systems can perform tasks that traditionally required highly skilled operators.

Here’s the kicker: this isn’t about replacing jobs—it’s about amplifying the efficiency of the workers you already have. Machine control can make even a less experienced operator perform like a seasoned pro, ensuring projects are completed faster, more accurately, and with less rework. Instead of waiting weeks or months for additional skilled labor, you can upskill your existing team using machine control technology.

With machine control, you don't need a huge crew on site - your machines do more of the heavy liftin', literally.

Wrapping It Up: The Future is in Your Hands

So, what’s the takeaway? The labor shortage isn’t going away overnight, but the construction industry doesn’t have to slow down because of it. By embracing machine control technology, companies can continue to deliver high-quality work, stay on budget, and meet tight deadlines—all with fewer workers on-site. Machine control is more than just a short-term fix for a labor shortage; it’s a long-term strategy for building resilience in the construction industry.

If you’re ready to take your construction projects to the next level and tackle the labor shortage head-on, now is the time to invest in machine control.

Stay ahead, stay efficient, and keep building. The future of construction is here. ??

#Construction #MachineControl #LaborShortage #Innovation #Efficiency #Technology