Technology And Skills In The Construction Industry - GOV.UK
Technology and skillsin the ConstructionIndustryEvidence Report 74September 2013
Technology and Skills in theConstruction IndustryClare Vokes and Jennifer BrennanPye Tait ConsultingMarc Bayliss, Project DirectorHelen Beck, Project ManagerUK Commission for Employment and SkillsSeptember 2013
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryForewordThe UK Commission for Employment and Skills is a social partnership, led byCommissioners from large and small employers, trade unions and the voluntary sector.Our ambition is to transform the UK’s approach to investing in the skills of people as anintrinsic part of securing jobs and growth. Our strategic objectives are to: Maximise the impact of employment and skills policies and employer behaviour tosupport jobs and growth and secure an internationally competitive skills base; Work with businesses to develop the best market solutions which leverage greaterinvestment in skills; Provide outstanding labour market intelligence which helps businesses and peoplemake the best choices for them.The third objective, relating to intelligence, reflects an increasing outward focus to the UKCommission’s research activities, as it seeks to facilitate a better informed labour market,in which decisions about careers and skills are based on sound and accessible evidence.Relatedly, impartial research evidence is used to underpin compelling messages thatpromote a call to action to increase employers’ investment in the skills of their people.Intelligence is also integral to the two other strategic objectives. In seeking to levergreater investment in skills, the intelligence function serves to identify opportunities whereour investments can bring the greatest leverage and economic return.The UKCommission’s third strategic objective, to maximise the impact of policy and employerbehaviour to achieve an internationally competitive skills base, is supported by thedevelopment of an evidence base on best practice: “what works?” in a policy context.Our research programme provides a robust evidence base for our insights and actions,drawing on good practice and the most innovative thinking. The research programme isunderpinned by a number of core principles including the importance of: ensuring‘relevance’ to our most pressing strategic priorities; ‘salience’ and effectively translatingand sharing the key insights we find; international benchmarking and drawing insightsfrom good practice abroad; high quality analysis which is leading edge, robust and actionorientated; being responsive to immediate needs as well as taking a longer termperspective. We also work closely with key partners to ensure a co-ordinated approach toresearch.iii
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryThis project explores the skills required to meet the demands created by existing andemerging technologies in construction. The main focus is on innovative Modern Methodsof Construction (MMC), particularly offsite construction - with the aim of identifying andunderstanding opportunities and challenges for the future. This includes the longer termskills needed to adopt emerging or future technologies and to realise the potential ofthese technologies for diversification and business growth. The research will be a usefulresource in guiding employers in anticipating how the demand for technology driven skillsis likely to develop in the future and in investing in training to meet these demands.Sharing the findings of our research and engaging with our audience is important tofurther develop the evidence on which we base our work. Evidence Reports are our chiefmeans of reporting our detailed analytical work. All of our outputs can be accessed onthe UK Commission’s website at www.ukces.org.ukBut these outputs are only the beginning of the process and we are engaged in othermechanisms to share our findings, debate the issues they raise and extend their reachand impact.We hope you find this report useful and informative. If you would like to provide anyfeedback or comments, or have any queries please e-mail info@ukces.org.uk, quotingthe report title or series number.Lesley GilesDeputy DirectorUK Commission for Employment and Skillsiv
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryTable of contentsForeword . iiiTable of contents . vTables and figures . viiiGlossary . ixExecutive Summary. x1.Introduction 11.1 Definition of high level skills. 21.2 Aims and objectives of the study . 32.The construction industry . 52.1 Economic position . 52.2 Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) . 62.3 Offsite is not new . 72.4 Categories of offsite construction . 83.Offsite sector profile . 103.1 Size and value of the offsite construction sector . 103.2 Potential for future growth of the offsite construction sector . .123.2.1 Quality and safety .123.2.2 Time and cost reduction . 133.2.3 Offsite methods for home building 133.2.4 The energy efficiency and low carbon agenda . 133.3 Risk factors for the offsite sector . 143.3.1 Typical SME business models . 143.3.2 Bringing products to market . 153.3.3 The impact of the economic downturn . 163.3.4 Overseas competition .183.4 National differences and geographic ‘hubs’ .18v
Technology and Skills in the Construction Industry4. Skills for MMC and offsite construction . 214.1 Skills, knowledge and behaviour needs for offsite . 254.1.1 Knowledge, mutual understanding and collaboration . 264.1.2 Marketing and business case development . 274.1.3 Project management . 304.1.4 Information technology . 314.1.5 Planning and design . 334.1.6 A whole life approach . 344.2 The impact on the skills supply chain . 365. Occupations and job roles . 385.1 Job roles in offsite . 395.2 Demand for job roles for offsite . 405.3 Supply of offsite roles . 415.4 The impact of offsite on job roles . 415.4.1 Evolution of job roles . 415.4.2 Existing priority roles . 425.4.3 Hybrid roles . 445.4.4 New roles . 445.5 The impact on lower level occupations . 455.5.1 Entry routes and the skills pipeline . 476. Qualifications and Training . 486.1 Perceptions of existing training and qualification provision . 486.1.1 Disconnection between industry and academic education . 496.1.2 Fragmented provision . 506.1.3 Limited apprenticeship provision . 506.1.4 Time and economic pressures . 516.1.5 Limited understanding of offsite training needs . 516.1.6 Resistance to change . 526.2 Gaps in training and qualifications . 52vi
Technology and Skills in the Construction Industry6.3 Responding to the issues . 537. Summary . 578. Implications. 618.1 Closer collaborative relationships . 618.1.1 Stimulating demand . 628.1.2 Training and qualifications . 628.1.3 Careers information . 628.1.4 Continuing Professional Development . 63Appendix A: Methodology . 64Appendix B: Technologies. 68Appendix C: Existing Provision. 77Appendix D: Case Studies . 81Bibliography. 92vii
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryTables and figuresFigure 1: Four main categories of offsite construction. 8Table 1: Estimated potential for offsite construction to increase by 2016. 12Figure 2: Ideal mix of ‘front-loaded’ skills offsite . 24Figure 3: Skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for MMC and offsite construction . 25Figure 4: Core skills differences between offsite manufacturing and onsite assembly. 36Figure 5: Primary, secondary and tertiary job roles required for offsite construction . 39Case Study 1: Straw bale construction, Modcell and the University of Bath . 81Case Study 2: Skills needs for offsite timber frame construction . 84Case Study 3: Job roles required for offsite construction in the concrete sector . 88viii
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryGlossaryBuilding InformationAn IT package facilitating management of, andModelling (BIM)collaboration within, the construction process. Thetechnology enables efficient coordination of theprogramming, designing, specifying and buildingprocesses. The use of BIM is mandatory for allgovernment projects from 2016.Computer Aided DesignA computer system to facilitate the creation and(CAD)modification of a design.Lean manufacturingA process aimed at increasing market share, whilstminimising the resources used – an approach generallyaccepted as being pioneered in JapanModern Methods ofA term spanning a broad range of constructionConstruction (MMC)technologies that are used to improve both product andprocess in construction.Pre-fabricated structureA building consisting of factory built components orunits.Micro-generationThe production of heat or electricity on a small scale,usually by individual households.Small Medium EnterpriseAn enterprise employing fewer than 250 employees.1(SME)1This study’s consideration and analysis of SME’s is consistent with this definition.ix
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryExecutive Summary‘Technology and Skills in the Construction Industry’ details the findings of a study into therole of technology in driving high level skills needs in the construction industry, with aspecific focus on offsite construction.2 The construction industry is one of the mostimportant sectors to the UK economy, with 12 per cent of construction taking place offsite(Taylor, 2010).This report is one of a number of studies commissioned with the purpose ofunderstanding the skills needs of Government priority sectors.3 This is essential in orderto ensure appropriate responses in relation to tackling skills gaps and shortages, so thatthe UK is best placed to compete in a global marketplace.The research used a mixed approach of depth interviews with academics, industryrepresentative bodies, employers, trade associations and professional institutes,combined with a literature review and roundtable discussion events.Offsite constructionOffsite construction is a method of building used for thousands of years that can betraced as far back as Roman times but is perhaps most commonly associated with postwar rebuilding, in the form of pre-fabricated building.Today offsite construction, one of a number of ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ (MMC),is increasingly technology driven. Currently, there exists no universal definition of offsiteconstruction but it is widely recognised as comprising four main types of assembly whichrange from small scale items such as light fittings; large scale modules and panelisedsystems; units of fully enclosed space (i.e. individual rooms); to complete buildings.The concept of offsite is closely associated with manufacturing and draws on principleswhich seek to achieve improvements in quality, reductions in waste and improvements inthe efficiency of the overall build process.2This study uses a broad definition of high level skills, based on national qualification levels: level 4 and above of theQualifications and Credit Framework in England and level 8 and above of the Scottish Qualifications and CreditFramework.3Construction is a priority in the Department for Business Innovation and Skills’ Industrial Strategy; Finance and BusinessServices (architecture element) is a Scottish Government Key Sector; Construction is a Welsh Government Key Sector.x
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryProfile and importanceDue to the lack of a universal definition of offsite, estimating the scale and value of theoffsite sector is extremely challenging. The most recent estimates put the value of offsiteconstruction at around 1.5bn, with a potential to achieve as much as 6bn. Projectionsfor 2013 (developed in 2009) suggest the current value of the sector as likely to be 7 percent of total construction output (Gambin et al., 2012). In total, the construction sectorcurrently contributes nearly 90bn to the UK economy (BIS, 2013). A share of 7 per centwould equate to over 6bn.The offsite market is mainly split between small, innovative developers typically basedaround a particular technology or product, and large construction companies.The current geographic distribution of offsite construction is uneven, with regional ‘hubs’of expertise and activity: Scotland is recognised as a major hub of timber frame assembly(most notably in the house-building sector), along with parts of Wales; a largeconcentration of offsite construction is to be found in the South of England, mostly onlarge-scale infrastructure projects such as schools, hospitals, hotels and studentaccommodation. In the latter region there is generally greater take up of offsiteconstruction methodologies; more so for infrastructure projects, commercial buildings,schools, hospitals and student accommodation than perhaps large scale domestic builds.The potential uptake and growth of offsite construction is heavily influenced by a numberof factors some facilitating, and others impeding the level of market demand.Currently, weak demand has supressed the market for offsite, combined with some widerindustry reluctance to adopt certain innovative technologies, with resistance fromfinanciers and insurers to invest in what are seen as new, untested technologies. Factorssuch as national/regional differences and related local demand, availability of materials,access to skills and training, foreign competition and capacity to bring products to marketall have, and will continue to have, an impact on growth, and its rate. Fully harnessing thepotential of offsite construction relies on achieving the critical mass required to realisearguably the most attractive benefits of time and cost savings.There are however notable drivers influencing the uptake of offsite technologies,particularly in relation to the need for higher volume output in home building and theimpetus of the low carbon agenda. Offsite is an opportunity to more tightly control costs,respond to government targets for Building Information Modelling (BIM) and energyefficiency, increase efficiency in the build process and improve quality (including sitehealth and safety).xi
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryOne of the key advantages of offsite construction is the greater efficiency and quality ofthe build process. The fit out of buildings can be done in the factory setting, modular steelor timber frame systems can be adjusted for performance and cladded offsite.The use of offsite technologies can encourage a greater diversity of people into thesector, including more young people, due to weatherproof working conditions and areduction in the use of manual labour.It is extremely challenging to forecast exactly when growth in the offsite sector mighthappen, over the short, medium or long term, and when demand for certain skills and jobroles might be realised and in what quantity. Nevertheless, there are very realopportunities for the sector to compete globally in an already buoyant international arena(currently dominated by Germany and Austria), with legitimate export potential.Furthermore, there is encouraging scope for economic growth in the manufacturingsector. The obvious links between manufacturing and construction in relation to offsitemay offer greater potential for the construction sector to benefit from such growth.Skills and knowledge for offsite constructionThe greater uptake of offsite construction is likely to have a gradual impact on existingskills and job roles although the requirement for appropriate training and qualifications islikely to be more immediate.Core, higher level skills and knowledge needs for offsite can be categorised as: collaboration between disciplines; marketing and business case development; project management; information technology (including BIM skills and knowledge of automated designtools); planning and design; a whole life approach, considering the whole life cycle of the building includingrepair and maintenance requirements.xii
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryThere is debate within the industry surrounding the potential of offsite construction toreduce skills demands and needs made by the construction process, as the extent ofdemand for traditional skills is reduced (or arguably displaced) by manufacturing andassembly activities.The introduction of what is essentially a manufacturing process into the constructionoperation has led to a debate over the extent to which this transition may result in either amulti-skilling or de-skilling scenario for the existing workforce. At a lower level (forexample traditional ‘trade’ roles such as carpentry and plastering), it is suggested thatskills will likely remain unchanged, but the context in which they are applied will bedifferent; essentially, a shift to both an onsite and offsite construction environment.The most significant change is predicted to occur for those in higher level roles, with theskills profile of professional occupations evolving over the medium to longer term toembrace multiple different skills and areas of knowledge. This will necessitate a changefrom traditional ‘silo-based’ approaches to skills and professional disciplines.Progressively closer integration between core disciplines and skills sets is predicted overthe medium to longer term, underpinned by a requirement for a mutual understandingand appreciation of other roles and their contribution to the build process.As the offsite build process becomes more integrated with manufacturing, themanagement of that process and of the interface between the offsite and the onsiteenvironments becomes ever more critical. Skills in design and an understanding ofengineering principles also become more important. The diagram below sets out thepredicted increased integration between design, construction, manufacturing andengineering disciplines:Figure A: Predicted increasing integration between different ringxiii
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryOccupations and job roles in offsite constructionCurrently, job roles in offsite can be categorised into three groups: primary, secondaryand tertiary. Primary job roles encompass those involved in the design and delivery of offsiteprojects, such as project management, logistics, marketing and sales. Secondary roles comprise typically ‘trade’ specific disciplines involved inassembly. Tertiary job roles associated with providing supporting functions (but of no lessimportance than primary and secondary roles) include the provision of finance,insurance and procurement, for example.Project management roles, schedulers, design staff and engineers are currently most indemand for offsite; Computer Aided Design (CAD) specialists and quantity surveyors arealso sought after. The use and prevalence of architects is somewhat less usual in offsitethan in traditional onsite construction, with a preference for design engineers, alsobringing in skills in IT, predominantly in CAD and BIM.Over the medium to long term, job roles are anticipated to evolve rather than undergo aradical switch, although this does not imply that existing roles will be unaffected. Designand architecture roles; engineering; BIM modelling and supervisory/project managementroles are considered to be the most important and most liable to change.Qualifications and trainingThe current training and qualification offer for offsite is considered to be largelyinadequate due to a range of factors that have resulted in fragmented provision and asituation where employers create their own, bespoke, in-house training. There are manyreasons for this, research participants attributed it to: a general disconnection between industry and training providers, and industry andacademia; the bespoke nature of many offsite systems which makes the development ofconsistent provision extremely challenging; a range of cultural issues faced by employers, such as lack of time and money toinvest in training, coupled with a limited understanding of where skills andknowledge gaps in offsite lie.xiv
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryDeficiencies within the current training offer, in terms of content, have been identified as3D drawing; site supervision; logistics; BIM and an understanding of design technologiesand materials used in offsite.The table on the following page summarises some of the main influencing factors onoffsite construction, along with the associated impacts on future skills, knowledge andqualifications as well as job roles. The content of the table has been drawn together froman analysis of the research findings and is not intended to be exhaustive.xv
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryDrivers/influencers onthe uptake of offsiteOpportunities ofoffsiteThreats to the use ofoffsiteImpact on future skills, Future impacts on job rolesknowledge andtraining/qualificationsThe energy efficiency andsustainability agendaAttracting young people into thesector due to weatherproofworking conditionsNegative associations amongstthe public with ‘pre-fabricated’structures‘Hubs’ of expertise andinconsistent training offernationally (UK-wide)The housing shortage – in bothprivate and social housingCompeting in a global marketWeak market demandThe economic climate –reducing costsContributing to environmentaland sustainability targetsGaining accreditation andrecognition of new technologiesTechnologies need to be‘mainstreamed’ in order todevelop consistent trainingpackagesUK Government commitments:Responding to housing demandTimelag in new technologiesreaching the market Use of BIM on all centrallyprocured Governmentcontracts from 2016Priority sector in England,Scotland and WalesImprovements in exportAgeing workforceEmerging technologiesMore widespread acceptance ofoffsite methods for commercialprojects (largely in the South ofEngland)Lack of collaboration betweenacademia and industryFragmented training provisionRealising cost savings throughreduced build time‘Patchy’ geographicaldistribution of offsite industryImproving qualityAchieving the critical mass inproduction to realise costsavingsImproving health and safetyIncreasing efficiency andreducing costs in theconstruction processIntegration of roles andcollaborative workingRisk averse financiers/ investorsReluctance of wider industry toadopt MMC/offsiteInternational competitionDifficulties in forecasting growthand uptake of offsitetechnologiesxviRequirement for high level skillsin marketing, technical sales,influencing and negotiatingBetter understanding of thedesign/manufacture/constructioninterfaceHighly developed skills in projectmanagement, scheduling andplanningWider adoption of a ‘whole lifeapproach’ to structuresGreatest impact of offsite on existing jobroles is expected to concern: Site SupervisorDesignerArchitectStructural EngineerPlannerBIM ModellerFuture demand for: Schedulers, SiteLabourers, Project Managers, QuantitySurveyors, Design office staff includingBIM Modellers, Engineers, CADSpecialistsHybrid roles may result in overlap betweenmanagerial and professional levels; atechnical sales role will require an overlapbetween commercial and technical skillAll disciplines increasingly expected towork collaboratively.
Technology and Skills in the Construction IndustryImplications for government and the sectorCloser collaborative relationshipsGreater collaboration between industry and academia, notably in relation to influencingthe design of training and qualifications, could enable these to become truly industry-led.In the short-term, consideration could be given to creating an Offsite Skills Networkbringing together academia, research institutes and industry with the purpose of sharingknowledge and establishing an interface between innovation and commercial application.Stimulating demandTrade Federations and Professional Bodies may wish to work collaboratively onprogrammes to educate investors, industry stakeholders and home-owners. There is anappetite and interest in technologies amongst consumers. The development of positivecase studies could help counteract any negative perceptions in relation to offsite andstimulate consumer demand.Training and qualificationsA culture of ‘multi-skilling’ could be embedded at training stage. For instance, trainingcould seek to equip students with a broader skills and knowledge base about offsiteenabling application of these core skills and knowledge to different settings, materials andsystems. Training and education providers could consider approaches to offsite trainingprovision in Austria and
Technology and Skills in the Construction Industry iv This project explores the skills required to meet the demands created by existing and emerging technologies in construction. The main focus is on innovative Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), particularly offsite construction - with the aim of identifying and
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