Construction : Future trends

There are a number of developments in the construction industry that will have an impact on future requirements. Construction Skills - Future Skills  has information on specific skills that will be needed but the following should also be taken into consideration.

Carbon reduction targets

The UK Government's Carbon Reduction Commitment has set a legally binding emission reduction target of 34% for 2020, which may force changes in construction. An even higher target of 42% in the reduction of carbon emissions by 2020 has been set by the Scottish Government.

Sustainability

Sustainability is an important business issue for construction companies. The Construction Industry Council recognises that:

'Protection of the environment and the pursuit of sustainable development are amongst the greatest challenges facing humanity. CIC and its members have an individual and collective responsibility to advise clients on strategies that are consistent with their immediate needs, and with the longer term benefits of a sustainable approach.’

Compliance with regulations and efficiency savings through better waste management will progress the aim of sustainable construction.

Impact of technology

Technological improvements to building services and construction are continuously sought. This may include breaking new ground or researching the best way to apply new technologies, techniques and processes.

Examples include renewable energy generation by ever more efficient wind turbines on land and in the sea and solar energy installations, while air and ground sourced heat pumps replace traditional boiler installations. There are also advances in new building materials, enabling buildings to be constructed more efficiently or economically.

Growth and reduction

Despite public spending cuts, there will be some high profile infrastructure projects in the UK over the next four years. These include the Thameslink expansion, Crossrail and Underground developments in South East England, the new Forth Road crossing in Scotland and the Titanic Quarter in Belfast.

Money for public housing for 2011-15 will be reduced by 50% compared with 2008-11, but expenditure on private housing is expected to grow during 2013-15. There will also be a significant reduction in the funds available for public non-housing construction, such as schools and hospitals. Unless there is a double-dip recession, modest growth in commercial and industrial building is expected by 2013-15 (Construction Skills Network, 2011).

Demographic changes

The population in the UK is ageing, with there being more people of pensionable age than children under 16. The ageing population not only affects building design and structure; it also has a serious impact on the construction workforce. The construction industry must take account of the changing needs of the population, as the age distribution in the industry means that a great deal of knowledge and skills will be lost in the next decade, with fewer professionals lined up as replacements. For those who remain, government plans to increase the retirement age have a big impact on an industry in which many occupations require significant physical effort, often in remote locations.