It’s no secret that there is a labor shortage in the US, particularly in the construction industry. Around the country, public agencies and private companies are reeling from a lack of personnel; in April 2022, the construction industry had 440,000 job openings, and the US manufacturing industry had more than one million—the highest levels ever recorded.
Making matters even more complicated, the US Federal Government has invested historic funding levels for infrastructure projects via the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act. Each infrastructure project relies on a complex web of engineering talent, raw materials, freight, and distribution, amongst other variables. A shortage of labor and expertise will cause delays in the project itself and it may impact other economic sectors as well.
Addressing Workforce Challenges
Who will fill today’s construction, maintenance, and engineering jobs and, as importantly, tomorrows? After all, federal investment is significant – in fact, much-needed – but if we do not have the computer and civil engineers required to do the work, our investment goals will not be reached. Furthermore, the life of an infrastructure asset is generally not five, ten, or even 20 years, but closer to 50 or 75. We need to be able to train the workforce of today so that we can rely on it decades from now.
Bentley Systems, working in partnerships with governments of all sizes, continues to push technology to the forefront of our infrastructure projects to help address these workforce challenges. The US has the unique opportunity to reach the levels of advancement achieved by many other industrialized nations. Through government incentives, the increased utilization of already proven digital technologies will allow greater efficiencies across the industry.
Proven technology, such as digital twins, can allow skilled talent to cross geographic and demographic lines in an instant, allowing workers to analyze a project from afar no matter where they may happen to be in the world. Younger workers looking for greater flexibility can rely more on a hybrid style of in-person and remote work—utilizing technology, drones, and sensors to amplify workers’ efforts on the ground. Instead of a team repelling ropes, with all the inherent risks involved, a team of operators and their drones can take the measurements to conduct a study or measure, allowing a detailed analysis to be undertaken afar.
Attracting a Diverse Infrastructure Workforce
Adapting and implementing these technologies is not something the industry has the luxury of time to address, as the problem is only accelerating. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that 17 million infrastructure workers will retire in ten years or less; we must find and prepare the next generation, and or retrain the current workforce to keep up with the increasing demand. Specific sectors face even more immediate concerns, with an estimated 50% of bus maintenance employees eligible to retire within the next five years.
This is not just a question of age but also of demographics and simple job demands. Here, the jobs tend to skew to older, white males, and just 11% of current workers are under 24 years old. This, in part, is because the job itself is physically demanding and, at times, dangerous. The utilization of technology de-risks many aspects of routine maintenance.
The gender and diversity challenges only exacerbate the problem. For example, just 18% of infrastructure workers are women; likewise, a staggering 88% of the workforce is White. By not addressing the age, gender, and demographics of the looming workforce crisis, it will continue unabated. Looking specifically at the engineering sector, there will be a shortfall of over 40,000 engineers by 2027. We must bring in a broader workforce to address these shortfalls. The adaptation of digital construction technologies will be the bridge to the next generation of workers in the infrastructure space.
Imagine training a new bridge maintenance crew, one that embraces technology. It has a drone operating team that relays the information to the asset’s digital twin. After circling the bridge and taking thousands of images, the drone inspectors leave the site shortly after. Members of the team from around the globe, if desired, can analyze and inspect the bridge overlaid with all the applicable inputted data. From there, proper prescribed maintenance can be ordered if needed. Members of this team are more efficient, spending less time on sites and more time working from home. This is attractive to recruit new, diverse talent, especially younger workers.
Bentley Is on the Forefront of Recruiting New Talent
We must invest in technology, infrastructure, and the workforce as a combined triad to achieve our infrastructure goals. Bentley is partnering with governments nationwide, industry partners, and organizations focused on diversifying this industry to continue promoting these technologies’ greater use. These workforce challenges will require a prolonged and multi-pronged strategic approach. This gradual change will require with the government, labor leaders, universities, and community leaders.
Bentley Systems has stepped up to meet the opportunity to recruit and train the workforce of the future and empower our current workforce through a strategic and intentional plan. That plan includes, but is not limited to, providing and training traditionally underrepresented groups using Bentley software, partnering with schools at all levels to facilitate exposure and energize the base of future leaders about careers in STEM, and, most critically, to connect with qualified diverse, talent that will not only support our current workforce needs but also create innovations beyond our current imaginations. Bentley is a proud supporter of the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO). As an Industry Partner, Bentley supports scholarships for minority students pursuing careers in STEM and training for small, disadvantaged, minority and women owned businesses on Bentley software so they that may get exposure to the kinds of technological solutions making a difference in the engineering field.
Bentley is proud to be a leader championing the charge.
