In the world of construction, going digital faces two main challenges: not enough technical know-how and a hesitance to change. A survey by Congrid, involving 1,036 construction professionals in Finland, found that 44.3% see a lack of technical skills as the biggest hurdle. Another 39.2% pointed to a general resistance to change.
The University of Turku, with funding from the EU and construction companies, also looked into how construction workers feel about using digital tools. They found that experience with technology plays a big role in shaping opinions. Taina Eriksson, from the University of Turku, says, "People feel better about technology when they've used it before."
The study goes against the idea that only older builders struggle with tech. Talking to older carpenters using digital technologies in their free time and younger builders feeling unsure about digital records shows it's not that simple. Eriksson says, "Some people worry about not being good enough or just don't want to learn new things. That's normal."
Eriksson suggests companies should do more than just teach how to use the tools. She thinks ongoing training to improve skills is the key. Eriksson also says workers need to see how digital tools help the whole team. "In our projects, 73% said teamwork matters. People want to know how not using the tool affects others' work," Eriksson adds.
While speed matters, the survey shows saving time isn't the main reason for going digital. Jane Nurmala from Congrid says many talk about not having time to learn new tools.
Quality improvement, according to over 58% of respondents, is the top benefit of using digital tools. Safety improvement, at 46.9%, comes next. Only about 30% think saving time is a big deal. Eriksson sees this as good news for the construction industry, saying, "Quality matters a lot in construction. It's why we do what we do."
Subcontractors focus more on better communication and cooperation, with 46.8% saying it's crucial. Quality as well is an important factor for 42.2% of them. In rating Congrid's usefulness on a scale of 1 to 10, 64.1% gave it 8 or more.
As construction moves toward a more digital future, these challenges are part of the journey. Skill gaps and hesitance to change won't disappear overnight. But, as these findings show, the benefits are there, urging the industry to step into the digital age with an open mind and a commitment to doing great work together.
