January 2024 eBulletin

This year, like every other, AGCVA members and staff spend a tremendous amount of time in the months of January and February focused on one of our three pillars: advocacy. Brandon and the lobbying team at Williams Mullen have been on the ground meeting with legislators daily since December.

They do this with the council of the Legislative Committee. This committee is comprised of a diverse group of contractors and trade partners from across the state who provide needed perspective on the bills presented each year. AGCVA is tracking over 50 bills in 2024. 

AGCVA members have been up to a lot in the last month!

We are thrilled to recognize these accomplishments and recognitions, and we encourage you to connect with your fellow members and extend your congratulations!

For centuries, the AEC industry has clung to traditional methods and legacy processes — seated patterns that have bred resistance to change. This has made the adoption of new technologies a slow and hesitant process. Risk aversion, the industry's fragmented nature, regulatory inefficiencies and a lack of standardization have contributed to the slow digital transformation as well.

However, increasing awareness of the benefits of digital transformation is gradually shifting AEC towards modernization. Industry professionals are realizing the impact of technology on their sector's ability to thrive in a rapidly evolving environment, promising a brighter and more tech-driven future for the field.

2023 was a year when generative AI entered the mainstream, enabling consumers all over the world instantly produce both words and pictures, seemingly as good as those produced by a skilled human. Lucy Barnard finds out how this trend will continue in 2024 and looks at some of the most prominent generative AI tools being used in the construction industry. 
“Hey ChatGPT, finish this building…” trumpeted a huge billboard on the side of a construction site on the famous Keyserlei shopping street in Antwerp in Belgium last summer. 

The advert, for Belgian construction recruitment agency Impact quickly went viral with Impact sharing images via its social media channels.

Design-build and progressive design-building are becoming increasingly popular delivery models for transportation projects, but despite their economic benefits, they're not always the right choice for a project due to unfamiliarly among contractors, legal risks and a potentially arduous bid process, according to panelists at the recent Transportation Research Board forum. The forum also touched on the potential of AI to make DOT work more efficient, but some panelists expressed concerns about the risks of deepfakes and compromised data quality.

The Department of Labor has issued a final rule that targets “employee misclassification” of independent contractors. 

“Misclassifying employees as independent contractors is a serious issue that deprives workers of basic rights and protections,” acting Labor Secretary Julie Su said in a press release.

Critics of the rule, however, claim it would rob workers of the flexibility they want.

The final rule replaces the Wage and Hour Division’s analysis for determining if a worker is an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. DOL contends the rule is “more consistent with judicial precedent and the act’s text and purpose,” as opposed to a 2021 final rule.

What were some challenges for the construction industry in 2023?
Almost universally, contractors reported difficulty finding qualified workers. Demand for most types of projects increased, but the unemployment rate for workers with construction experience fell to 4% or less. 

Nearly 1 in 4 construction workers are over the age of 55 and are nearing retirement. These workers are a vital part of our global communities and economies; they build the places where we live, work and play. The need to replenish the pipeline has never been more important. When we consider the consequences of a decreasing skilled workforce, the need to attract young workers to these fields is a matter of urgency. 

According to 2023 U.S. projections, construction firms must attract an estimated 546,000 workers in addition to their normal staffing to meet labor demands. The Current Employment in Construction Report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also found that construction continued to trend upward in July 2023, adding an average 17,000 jobs per month over the prior 12 months. It’s evident the field is growing, and we need more people to fill these roles.

Mental health is a serious problem in the construction industry, but not enough people are talking about it. 

Numerous studies demonstrate the high rates of depression, anxiety, burnout, and stress in the industry which all contribute to the elevated rate of suicide in construction compared to other industries. Those studies also show that construction workers are less likely than others to report mental health struggles to their employers. 

The National Safety Council estimated that 70 million U.S. construction worker days were lost in 2021 because of workplace injuries. According to the Cambridge Archaeological Journal, it took less time to build the Great Pyramid of Giza. Clearly, reducing accidents would benefit not only workers but the productivity of the industry.

From Egyptian times to now, there have always been many potential hazards facing construction workers. Let’s explore some common risks, including power supply, equipment maneuverability and dust protection.

Standard registration runs until February 5 at 5:00 p.m. - prices will increase.

Need more inspiration to register? Click here to watch the latest video to be inspired by what's to come at the 2024 AGCVA Convention.