The rapid pace of technological advancement is transforming industries and reshaping the future of work, and the current state of the skilled trades is no different. As more skilled workers move toward retirement, attracting and retaining a new generation of tradespeople requires a commitment to embracing technological change. In turn, facilities managers must pay close attention to the needs and demands of their workforce to ensure they are prioritizing innovation on the jobsite to foster a future-ready workforce. In particular, three key shifts are impacting the skilled trades: AI advancement, training and development opportunities, and a disconnect around professional credentials.
AI Is Here to Stay
Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken over the technology conversation, and for good reason. Its applications are extensive across industries, whether it be to automate routine tasks, synthesize information, or answer queries. While consumers are cashing in on ChatGPT across personal and professional tasks, the skilled trades tell a different story. A white-collar professional might assume that AI’s application in manual labor is limited, but the opposite is true. When applied effectively, AI can enable skilled professionals to focus more on tasks that require a human touch. And, according to a recent polling, skilled trade professionals agree with this sentiment.
A recent NFPA survey found that an overwhelming majority (95%) of respondents believe that AI has a purpose in at least some day-to-day job functions in the skilled trades. Amid a backdrop of an aging skilled workforce, facility leaders are working to recruit new talent, and embracing new technologies is key to making the trades appealing to younger generations. Nearly half (39%) of survey respondents were hopeful that AI will spur industry growth and support by attracting new talent, meaning skilled professionals recognize its value not only for their own day-to-day responsibilities, but also for AI’s industry-wide benefits.
Make Way for Training Opportunities
Training and professional development remain top of mind for skilled professionals, making it imperative for facilities managers to provide these opportunities for their workforces. This is especially true as advanced technologies are increasingly leveraged on the jobsite. Just like you wouldn’t install electrical wiring or handle welding equipment without thorough training beforehand, we need to view technological training the same way.
Both skilled workers and facility leaders often face a variety of challenges in building out a comprehensive, frequent training protocol. Lack of time for participation, high costs, access to qualified instructors, and difficulty determining the right training opportunities are some of the most cited struggles—but none of these are truly restrictive.
First and foremost, leaders must view training and development as a true priority to carve out adequate time for associated opportunities, as fostering a highly skilled workforce is imperative for a safe and effective working environment. With this dedicated time, especially in the early stages of creating training protocols, leaders can conduct thorough research into opportunities to outsource support for their training programs. Depending on their needs, many organizations offer tailored training support for workforces of all sizes and skill sets.
Flexibility is another key component of prioritizing training and development. Offering paid time off to complete training or hosting a day-long program, for example, ensures that skilled workers are able to successfully complete necessary training without taking time away from their day-to-day responsibilities.
Fostering a culture of education can significantly boost your facility’s safety culture. It ensures that all facilities managers are confident in their abilities, more vigilant with safety protocols, prepared to handle incidents, and more knowledgeable about the latest safety practices and requirements.
Credentials Matter
The highly technical nature of the skilled trades has led employers to increasingly require credentials like certifications and specialized training as a hiring prerequisite. However, there is an ongoing disconnect between workforce goals and organizational expectations when it comes to the value of certification programs for career advancement. Recent NFPA survey results indicate a year-over-year decrease in the number of respondents that hold a professional certification, yet over half of survey respondents said that certifications or professional credentials are a requirement in their organizations for hiring, promotion, or staff development purposes.
As facilities managers and their hiring teams increasingly look at professional certifications as an indicator of employee qualifications and performance, they should ensure that such expectations are clearly communicated to their workforces. Much like with training and development, organizations that want to promote certifications and professional credentials can consider incentives like reimbursement for certification fees or exams that may encourage their employees to pursue such programs. More broadly, facilities managers can offer opportunities for skilled workers to learn about the value of such credentials, such as greater knowledge of a certain skill set or opportunities for career development within their organization.
Certifications are also a great way to bridge the knowledge gaps that can occur when more experienced skilled professionals leave the workforce. Greater alignment around prioritizing opportunities for certification ultimately fosters a more knowledgeable, confident workforce, making it important for facilities managers to consider as they think about strategies for organizational growth.
As innovation continues to shape the future of the skilled trades, facilities managers have many opportunities within reach to prioritize the development of a tech-enabled, highly skilled, and confident workforce. Digital transformation is impacting all industries, and skilled workers, too, are looking for signals that their roles and employers are adapting in turn. Facilities management leaders who are committed to the longevity of the trades and their staff, then, must prioritize meeting skilled workers where they are by prioritizing technological growth and workforce development.
Bartholomew Jae is the director of training and certifications at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).