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Canadian construction trends to watch in 2021

By: Issuewire
Commercial trends in Canada

Edmonton, Alberta Feb 21, 2021 (Issuewire.com) - As we enter 2021, we see declines in industry growth and workforce shortages, but it's not all gloom and doom for the Canadian construction industry. The new year brings positive changes to green building, workplace hygiene, and building for a diverse workplace.

As commercial general contractors, Invicta Construction put together a list of Canadian construction trends to watch for in 2021.

"2020 was a challenging year for a lot of industries, including the construction industry," said David Pourde of Invicta Construction. "We had to change and learn to adapt to changes quickly. What we learned and how we've adapted will contribute to the trends we see coming in the industry this year."

A slowdown in the construction sector

Before the pandemic, the construction industry already saw a slowdown in recent years. This GlobalData report shows a negative growth rate of -0.29% between 2014 and 2018. Experts suspect that growth will plateau in 2021.

Government investments to stimulate the economy

The government's Investing in Canada Plan aims to invest $180 billion in key infrastructure sectors through 2028. The government also has plans to invest in local energy resources and related projects. This financial support should provide more jobs, boost the economy, and positively impact the construction industry.

Federal Prompt Payment

The Federal Prompt Payment for Construction Work Act was announced in April 2019, and, hopefully, it launches this year. This legislation will improve construction projects' execution for any federal property by helping contractors and sub-contractors receive prompt payment for their services on these projects. The act entitles commercial general contractors timely payment on undisputed invoices without delay.

Building green

The renewable sector flourished in 2020. The public and private sectors will continue to invest in sustainable, green building projects in 2021. This trend will help building owners and managers save money on energy costs, and reduce their carbon footprint.

"We have seen a growing trend regarding energy efficiency, sustainability, and eco-friendly building materials and processes this year," said Pourde.

Workplace diversity

The trend of recruiting and hiring a diverse workforce is picking up speed in the construction industry. Companies are making efforts to appeal to a greater diversity of qualified workers, including people with disabilities, youth, Indigenous people, and various ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Support for women entering typically male-dominated roles in the industry will also continue this year.

Accessible design

Workplace diversity has also made its way in building design. For example, design plans include accommodating people with disabilities by making the building more accessible. Accessible building design plans mean wider hallways and doorways, spacious bathrooms, and accessible entrances and emergency exits.

Digital transformation

The use of technology is transforming the commercial construction industry. The way builders create drawings for projects, the number of design options, and improving building efficiencies will all be done using digital technology - if they are not already. Collecting and using data will allow engineers and builders to learn from previous projects and optimize their processes.

Advanced technology is becoming more accessible to smaller companies. This accessibility gives everyone access to performance data and a new way of doing things to improve processes and customer experience. Technology will play a role in the steps in building a commercial building.

Improved workplace hygiene

A focus on bathroom cleanliness and sanitation and hand hygiene for workers has made a cleaner workplace for everyone. Even post-COVID, these hygiene practices will stay and reduce the spread of other germs, including the common cold or seasonal flu.  

Changing workspaces

The pandemic moved many workforces to work remotely. For some companies, this has worked well and had many benefits. Fewer companies may require office space moving forward as they did in the past. While nothing is certain, it could mean fewer construction projects for office buildings.

Building design might also change to accommodate public health measures. For example, an office building will require more physical space per employee to accommodate social distancing.

Workforce shortages

This survey reported that 50 percent of construction firms shared they found it challenging to hire new workers over the past 12 months. The problem is that not enough young people are choosing careers in the construction industry to keep up with the rate of older workers retiring from the industry. According to BuildForce Canada, about 21 percent of the construction workforce will retire in the next decade. The industry will require 322,000 new workers by 2024 to replace retirees.

"Our industry is rapidly changing, and it's essential to stay up-to-date with these changes and find ways to adapt continually. It's not all negative, and we have a lot to look forward to this year in the Canadian construction industry," said Pourde.

 

 

Invicta Construction is a commercial renovation company located in Edmonton, Alberta, and they also serve the surrounding areas. Its mission is to exceed customer expectations by providing high-quality work, personalized customer service, and transparent project management that takes the stress out of a significant commercial building project.

 

Media Contact

Funnel Edge Marketing


*****@funneledgemarketing.com

5878055277

18154 111 Ave NW

https://invictaconstruction.ca/

Source :Invicta Construction

This article was originally published by IssueWire. Read the original article here.

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