Jim Kollaer's blog

Our colleagues at Construction Dive recently reported on the 10 Construction industry trends to watch in 2016. They reference a Dodge Analytics 2016 report that “predicted 6% growth, with the value of construction starts reaching an estimated $712 billion.”  That is great news for the industry for 2016.

The Construction Industry usually gets a late start in the economic recovery and fortunately it has a “long tail” since it is hard to stop construction once the building has begun. We have a hunch that we are entering the long tail in commercial construction as many of the indicators show a slow down in the front or design end of the business.

Construction Dive offers up the major trends to watch for 2016. Top on the list is a continued labor shortage of skilled workers. This has been widely reported and is the result of workers leaving the industry in the 2009 recession, retirements and a high demand in the industrial sector.    [node:read-more:link]

In light of the projected sale of upwards of one million drones over the 2015 Christmas sales season, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued its registration and labeling rules. These rules went into effect on December 21, 2015 for all drones that weigh over .55 lbs. and less than 55 lbs. This includes those classified as toys, model drones, etc. The registration can be accomplished online, and the registrant must be 13 years of age.

There are separate rules for drones that exceed the weight restrictions or are to be used for commercial purposes.    [node:read-more:link]

The US has lifted its 40-year ban on oil and gas exports. Read more about what this means for the construction industry in the Gulf Coast.

McKinsey Analytics, part of the McKinsey Global Institute, has released a study and accompanying charts about the potential for automation in a broad array of jobs in the US. Included in the study are construction jobs ranging from construction laborers to elevator engineers and technicians. The chart is developed in a way that you are able to switch on or off the individual categories of jobs that you are interested in. It might even give you insights into some of the services and subs that you use.

Additionally, there are charts illustrating gender equality in various countries and their relation to gender equality and attitudes in the workforce. The third chart illustrates ways that gender equality can drive economic growth around the world.    [node:read-more:link]

 
Happy New Year
 
to all of
 
our readers!
 
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Nadine Post writes an interesting piece for ENR asking where the revolution in the construction industry is and explains that all the technology changes that are taking place are making projects much more complex to design and build.

The Bureau of Labor Standards (BLS) has released its projections for job growth for the period from 2014-2024, and construction job growth leads the goods producing sector with an increase of almost 800,000 jobs. That is good news for the industry, but one statement in the release is revealing. “Construction is projected to add 790,400 jobs by 2024. Even with these additional jobs, employment in the construction major sector is not projected to return to the 2006 peak.”

The numbers show a picture of continued growth in the service sectors, especially in healthcare (25% of the total job growth or 3.8 million jobs) that reflects the aging population. Manufacturing is projected to be the big loser with the 2024 numbers reflecting a loss of 814,00 jobs, likely to increased productivity at home or continued globalization of the manufacturing workforce.

You can read the press release and delve into the charts here.    [node:read-more:link]

The design of new speculative office buildings will now shift. We are about to see sensors embedded in walls and floors around elevator cores and entry doors that will scan for chemicals and explosives.

 
We are thankful
 
for all of
 
our readers!
 
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Think about Rains' Rules the next time that one of your new hire millennials wants to know what he or she can do to make a difference in their career and your business. Tell them about Rains' Rules of Marketing and tell them to “See the people.” [node:read-more:link]