The National Federation of Builders (NFB) and Next One Tech proudly presented a joint panel at UK Construction Week, focusing on the future of digital skills within the construction industry. Sean Houlston, Digital Services Lead at NFB, and Andreas Koski, Expansion Manager at Next One Tech UK Limited, delivered a compelling presentation that explored the critical role of digital adoption and skills in construction, as well as the significant opportunities that lie ahead.
During the session, attendees were provided with an overview of how the construction industry has evolved from its traditional methods to embrace new technologies like Building Information Modelling (BIM), drones, and cloud-based platforms. These innovations are transforming project management, improving efficiencies, and fostering better collaboration.
“We’re at a turning point in the construction industry,” said Sean Houlston. “Digital literacy is no longer an option, but an essential skill that will drive future success. The NFB is committed to providing resources and training to help our members adopt these technologies and stay competitive.”
Andreas Koski expanded on this in his presentation, sharing how Next One Tech’s cloud-based project management tools are already helping contractors streamline scheduling, budgeting, and document management, resulting in improved project control.
Barriers to Digital Adoption: While the session highlighted the advancements, it also addressed barriers to digital adoption. High costs and resistance to change remain key challenges, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises. Additionally, concerns over cybersecurity are becoming more prevalent as companies move to cloud-based solutions.
AI in Construction: Looking to the future, the NFB is set to release a research paper on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in construction. This paper will offer practical insights into how AI can transform key processes in the sector.
Currently, AI adoption in the sector is low, with only 3% of construction businesses reporting its use. However, the potential for AI to unlock efficiencies is immense. The upcoming paper will guide businesses through AI adoption, helping them assess their readiness and integrate these tools into their operations effectively.
The Future of Digital Skills: The NFB continues to support the construction sector through this digital transformation, offering training and resources to close the digital skills gap. The speakers emphasised that, as technologies such as AI, augmented reality (AR), and robotics become more prevalent, construction professionals will need to stay ahead by developing the right skills.
For more information about the NFB’s digital transformation initiatives and the upcoming AI research paper, contact the team at AskNFB@builders.org.uk.
