The only certainty for the upcoming year is that there are no certainties. That does not mean that we should give up hope. The next year, by most metrics, appears to be heading in a better direction than 2020. This article merely seeks to explore certain trends that are bond to take more importance this year, and what one might expect in the construction sector.
Public Construction Project
Various governments have offered, as a way to stimulate the economy, investing massively in public construction projects. This message, though overwhelmingly positive for the people in the field of construction, might not be all that. Really, there is no way of knowing how much will be invested or how many projects will be created this year. This might simply be some political rhetoric or just an effort which will be deemed too little too late. We should however remain positive as this boost could also offer a steady income for many of you for the foreseeable future.
Workforce Shortage
This issue is not new at all. It has been going on in the past few years and is sure to augment again this year. As a large portion of the population is now retiring, there does not seem to be enough workers to take their place and/or stay for a long career within the company. In an earlier blog, we have posted an article on how to attract and keep good employees which could be beneficial to your business if you too are having these issues: 7 tips for attracting and keeping top construction workers.
Hygiene
As we all know, vaccines are on their way and we are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Unfortunately, we do not know exactly how much time it will take to vaccinate a sufficiently large portion of the population to start the deconfinement. Just watching the current trends, it might take a few months, up to a year. So, the hygienic measures and social distancing rules on construction sites are bound to remain for a little while. The fact is, though some transmission does occur on worksites, they are not one of the main channels of transmission, so another complete lockdown is unlikely and the safety of the workers, provided the guidelines are respected, should not be an issue.
Protectionism and Supply Chain
Just as 2020 put a strain on our supply chains, 2021 could show some of the same difficulties. Most companies have been able to adapt and change some of their modus operandi, but most forecast indicate that the rise in economic protectionism that has taken us all by surprise is likely to stay, at least for a few years.
Digitalization
As has been the subject of many of our articles here at Mechasys, the increasing digitalization of the construction market is sure to accelerate again this year. If anything, the Covid-19 pandemic has augmented the need for digitalization and new alternatives to traditional methods. Companies are finding ways to encourage working from home as much as possible, as well as minimizing the number of workers assigned to the same task (for hygienic and workforce reasons). A fleury of new companies and ideas are surely going to flow in the sector this year.
Green Construction
As has already been underway, an increase in demand for green construction will continue in the upcoming year. Whether it be in the commercial or residential sector, there is no sign of it slowing down. Fortunately, people are puling together, now more than ever, to minimize the carbon footprint in every sector possible.
If you are interested in green construction, here is a link to one of our articles that highlights the main trends in this sector: The Beginning of Green Construction.
In conclusion, let’s all hope than 2021 will be a better year than 2020. It is very difficult to predict what will become of this year since everything seems to be uncertain, but it is possible to look at certain trends that have begun in 2020 and expect them to keep going this year. The fact is, the construction sector is tremendously important for the global economy and it is very likely that to prevent a recession, mass investments will be made in our sector. If you have any ideas or expectations for this year, we invite you to share them with us in the comment section below. Have a great and fruitful year!
