WIP: Teaching of emerging technology in construction workforce development programs

(WIP) Construction is currently facing a moment of change with the rise of the so-called Construction 4.0, which represents the adaptation of the construction industry to the use of digitalization and automation. Even though the transition to a largely digitalized and automated construction industry might be distant, it is important for construction professionals to understand the possible effect of these changes to the workforce. To this point, the present study provides an initial understanding of how job-readiness, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs within a midwestern state of the United States include digital literacy skills and construction-specific technology in their curricula using a survey approach. Our initial findings represent the responses from three programs and suggest that little hands-on activities using new technology are included in the curricula, and the students from these programs found learning about technology only slightly useful. Complementing our findings with information from other trades programs in the United States, we also note the importance of partnering with construction companies and technology manufacturers to advance technology training in trades education. Further research recommendations include gathering more participant input using alternate approaches, given our low response rate; understanding the role of technology companies and manufacturers in the training of construction trades workers; and surveying construction undergraduate programs about their efforts in preparing their students to handle human capital through as construction transitions to its 4.0 version.