Technology is transforming Edmonton’s construction sector and spiking demand for skills training.
On many construction sites, technology and digital tools have become invaluable, particularly for vital construction aspects like scheduling, planning, estimating and design. In the business of construction, various types of technology innovations are empowering construction professionals by boosting collaboration, improving efficiency and meeting the intricate demands of complex construction projects.
Technology and automation are revolutionizing the job site. It means new materials and new methods. It impacts efficiency and productivity, allowing job sites to be more interconnected than ever before. Most importantly, construction technology makes the jobsite safer.
“The construction industry has seen an increase in focus from technology vendors in the past several years,” says Matt Gramblicka, vice president of IT & enterprise applications with Graham Construction, the leading construction firm which has been building landmark developments, transportation and civil infrastructure like roads and bridges as well as complex institutional, health care, education and recreation facilities in the Edmonton region for decades.
“Technology is also being used by the construction sector for aspects like improving quality control, predicting and planning when processes should be completed, taking the guesswork out of construction and reducing wait times while increasing productivity. Automation and AI are also increasingly commonplace and essential on today’s work sites.”
On Edmonton job sites, in business offices and site trailers, technology has triggered a tsunami of positive changes in the construction industry and the ways work is done on Graham’s projects, like the Sherwood Care Redevelopment, the Terwillegar Drive Expansion Stage 2 and Dow’s Fort Saskatchewan Path2Zero.
Modern project management software has become a cornerstone of efficient operations for construction companies. The work now relies on advanced features like AI-driven analytics for resource planning, real-time data integration from IoT devices and collaboration tools to keep construction professionals informed.
Integration with other construction technologies, such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) systems ensure seamless scheduling, tracking and communication, reducing delays in construction projects.
New construction technologies, like AI-equipped drones and machine learning, are reshaping construction technology by providing advanced tools for site management, safety and data collection. They deliver real-time aerial imagery, giving Edmonton construction managers the ability to monitor progress, perform detailed inspections and spot potential issues with exceptional precision.
The adoption of robotics and automation in construction is re-defining how construction companies execute complex construction projects. Autonomous machinery, like bricklaying robots and 3D printing systems, accelerate construction and maintain precision. Automated systems for tasks like excavation, welding and demolition reduce human error and improve safety in hazardous environments.
“We’ve been able to invest in a few products that have immediate payback,” Gramblicka explains, “such as visual site capture. Using 360-degree cameras mapped to a blueprint or the model, we’re able to document a site in a fraction of the time, allowing project teams to focus on construction versus administration.”
AI powered drones and cameras have become common and valuable tools for real-time monitoring of construction sites. They can observe materials, people and work processes, and also keep tabs on how projects are progressing. AI systems also compare daily progress against project plans, identifying discrepancies or potential issues and can help guarantee that projects are being built to spec and with proper compliance for environmental, regulatory and code requirements.
Construction sites are still hectically busy places, with many challenges and potential dangers. It’s why site monitoring continues critical to minimize risks, reduce loss or damage and keep overall projects moving on time and on budget.
“I think it will be possible in the near future for site personnel to speak instructions into a device and agentic AI will take over,” Gramblicka says with enthusiasm.
For construction managers, these tools are essential for staying ahead in a competitive construction industry.
Some things never change. In construction, safety is key! An important technology feature is conducting safety assessments in hazardous locations, improving both efficiency and safety across construction projects. AI systems can enhance safety and identify potential site hazards. Analyzing images and videos can flag potentially unsafe behaviours or unsafe environments and address misuse and other risks that happen in real time.
He underscores that, as safety and productivity have been and will continue to be indispensable drivers for success on a project, a lot of technology solutions target safety.
“We are experimenting with some exciting safety AI capabilities where pictures of a worksite can be analyzed in real-time and workers can be alerted to safety concerns before they start. By no means is this a replacement for the people managing the risks but maybe a second set of eyes will reduce SIFs (Severe Incident Frequency) on sites.”
For most people outside the construction sector, the intricate and high-tech specifics can get complicated, tricky and a bit baffling.
Construction professionals acknowledge that while construction technology is a positive, impacting construction productivity, efficiency, accuracy, safety, sustainability and profitability, there is a caveat.
Having the technology and the professional skills of knowing when and how to apply the technology is essential.
“Technology on its own can’t improve construction aspects like efficiency or accuracy,” Gramblicka points out. “Focusing on desired outcomes, designing efficient processes and only then applying the best technology to support those processes is where the construction sector realizes the gains. However, we are at an exciting time, where construction technology drives value, whether that’s automating repetitive tasks, summarizing mass amounts of data or acting as a copilot for our project staff.”
While the construction sector is already dealing with labour shortages and a skilled labour crunch, embracing technology for site and project functions makes skills training and upgrading timelier and more important than ever, and NAIT is on the cutting edge of this movement.
“Technology skills training is driving change throughout the life cycle of a build,” explains Matthew Lindberg, dean of the School of Construction and Building Sciences at NAIT. “From training and design to supply chain management and construction, in the design stage, technology and software are used to predict energy costs and identify sustainability practices. In the supply chain sector, sensors are increasingly used to better plan for builds with enhanced efficiency, accuracy and enhanced safety.”
He continues, “As we further integrate technology into traditional trades, new roles and career paths in the construction industry are emerging that combine technical skills with construction expertise. For example, there is an increased demand for skilled construction professionals who can build, design and maintain energy-efficient and smart buildings, through reduced energy consumption, reduced operating and maintenance costs and increased security.”
An excellent and timely example is NAIT’s Building Automation System Technology Program Industry Immersive Education diploma, an emerging discipline and new program launching this September.
More and more, technology skills are basic requirements in construction.
“Due to NAIT’s connection to our industry partners, we are able to adjust and predict trends in the sector and modify programs to best serve industry,” Lindberg says. “As technology becomes more heavily integrated in our work, it is more important than ever to not only understand sector-specific technology, but also consider how other sectors are using technology as well.”
