SBV study: "If qualified craftsmen are missing, construction projects cannot be realized".

The shortage of skilled workers will also be a major concern for the construction industry in the coming years. Central President Gian-Luca Lardi presented the results of a new study by the Swiss Association of Master Builders (SBC) at the Construction Industry Day on Friday, June 30, 2023. "Our industry is doing well after three years of permanent crisis," Central President Gian-Luca Lardi welcomed the more than 550 guests. "Master builders have learned to deal with the effects of the Ukraine war, just as they did before with the price increases and supply bottlenecks in the wake of the Corona pandemic." And the outlook for the future is also quite positive in the medium to long term, according to Lardi. Construction activity is expected to continue to grow, "albeit at a somewhat slower pace." While strong growth is forecast for residential construction through 2040, mild growth to stagnation is expected in commercial construction, public buildings and public civil engineering. At the same time, builders can look forward to prices for construction materials gradually falling again.

SBV study shows: Shortage of skilled workers endangers jobs

The focus of this year's networking event was on the shortage of skilled workers and the mix of measures that can be used to combat it. The search for suitable employees at all levels is a major challenge for many businesses today, including master builders. And it can be assumed that the situation will get even worse. With far-reaching consequences. "Without enough qualified craftsmen, important construction projects in our country can no longer be realized," Lardi explained. To prevent such a scenario, the Swiss Association of Master Builders commissioned the Demographics Competence Center to conduct a "Study on the Long-Term Development of the Economy and Skilled Workers in the Main Construction Industry." The results of the study are now public: while the demand for skilled workers in the main construction sector continues to rise, the supply is falling. By 2040, the shortage of skilled workers in the most important professions in the main construction industry - measured in terms of construction volume - is expected to reach 16 percent. Without countermeasures, there would be a shortage of around 30 percent of the workforce required for bricklayers and masons alone, i.e. around 2,500 skilled workers. This has an impact on sales: If no measures were taken, the construction industry would lose up to 800 million Swiss francs a year due to the lack of skilled workers, or 13 billion Swiss francs in total over the next 20 years, adjusted for prices.

Digitization and recruitment as a beacon of hope

The study points to several solutions to the shortage of skilled workers. "If we increase sales per capita by 0.5 percent annually, we can make up for 50 percent of the shortage of skilled workers," reassured Gian-Luca Lardi, however. This increase in productivity is to be achieved mainly with the help of digitalization and through innovations. At the same time, he said, the industry must do everything it can to "train more apprentices, keep skilled workers in the profession longer, and ultimately recruit more lateral entrants." In this way, the other half of the skills gap could be closed. The study points out several levers to be tightened. Foremen and women in construction, where the shortage will develop less precariously than in other construction professions, career changers already play an important role. With targeted career and junior staff planning and support, the number of people in management positions can be increased. In apprentice training, it is very important to motivate young people to successfully complete their bricklaying apprenticeship and also to remain in the main construction trade in the long term. The decisive factor, he says, is not only the management and company culture, but above all the many great, "cool" construction projects that the young people can actively help to shape. Then they see that their work offers meaning and creates sustainable value. Lardi ended his speech with an appeal to all those involved in the project, i.e. builders, planners, specialists, construction companies and political decision-makers alike: "We will only be able to realize our future building park and infrastructures if we work together in true partnership and at eye level."

Top-class podium

The Construction Industry Day was hosted by Melanie Winiger. After a video message from Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin, State Councilor Norman Gobbi welcomed the participants to his home canton of Ticino. After speeches by several guests from business and politics, Winiger chaired a high-level panel discussion on the shortage of skilled workers with Gian-Luca Lardi, Central President of the Swiss Association of Master Builders, Peter Knäbel, board member of the German soccer club FC Schalke 04, Valentina Kumpusch, Vice Director of the Federal Roads Office FEDRO, Andreas Zindel, CEO of the construction company Zindel United, and Matthias Mölleney, Head of the Center for HRM & Leadership at the HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich.

Finally, SBC Director Bernhard Salzmann had the pleasure of honoring several apprentices for their exceptional achievements.

Source and further information: SBC