A new report highlights the pressing need for the infrastructure sector to be equipped with the necessary skills to meet the demands of a sustainable, net zero future.
As infrastructure becomes much wider than engineering and construction to encompass sustainability, innovation and resilience, a new report says that the industry needs to be better equipped with the skills needed to build a greener, more efficient and more equitable future.
The report, Nurturing Tomorrow’s Infrastructure Workforce: Capacity Building and Closing the Sustainability Skills Gap, published by FIDIC, the International Federation of Consulting Engineers, delves into one of the most pressing issues facing the industry today – how to equip the workforce with the skills necessary to meet the complex demands of a sustainable, net-zero tomorrow.
“The role of the infrastructure sector is evolving and with it the skills required to thrive in this new landscape. Our report identifies the critical skills gaps that must be addressed and provides a clear, actionable roadmap for closing those gaps,” said the report’s author, Basma Eissa, head of policy, ESG and sustainability at FIDIC.
The report, part of FIDIC’s State of the World series, which deal with some of the key global issues facing the engineering, construction and infrastructure sector, is an important one for the industry. It explores skills, upskilling and capacity building in the infrastructure sector and focuses on some of the present skills shortages and gaps the industry faces, while also addressing the question of which skills will be indispensable in five, ten and 15 years’ time.
Speaking at the report’s launch on 29 October 2024, FIDIC vice president James Mwangi said: “This report highlights the twin challenge of skills gaps and the sustainability and net zero challenge and addresses one of the most important challenges for infrastructure professionals – the need to build a workforce that is not only technically excellent, but also equipped to meet the urgency of sustainability, net zero and societal imperatives.
“We have identified critical skills gaps in the report in areas such as renewable energy integration, digital literacy, AI-driven innovation and sustainable construction practices. As governments and industries alike commit to reducing emissions, the infrastructure workforce must drive to be upskilled to meet the future challenges we face and then also deliver on climate, emissions and biodiversity promises. If the industry embraces and leverages the report’s recommendations, then we believe it will not only meet the challenges of sustainability but also position itself as a leader in driving meaningful environmental and social change.”
Some of the most critical questions shaping the future of the industry addressed in the report include: –
- How can the engineering, construction and infrastructure sector ensure that the current workforce is equipped with the skills needed to drive the global sustainability agenda?
- What role should industry leaders, governments and educational institutions play in upskilling and reskilling for a net-zero zero future?
- How can emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, automation and digitalisation be leveraged to enhance workforce capacity and accelerate sustainability outcomes?
- What strategies can ensure that all regions, including those in the global south, benefit from capacity-building initiatives?
The report also includes a series of case studies and examples of where the industry is getting it right, that point to workable solutions for the future. It also makes the key point that effective collaboration is crucial for aligning workforce development with the evolving demands of the infrastructure sector. As a result, FIDIC is calling on industry leaders to prioritise partnerships that foster continuous learning and skills development.
Basma Eissa, head of policy, ESG and sustainability at FIDIC, said: “Key takeaways and recommendations in the report include the need to embed sustainability across industry training programmes and to leverage emerging technologies like AI, fostering cross-sector collaboration across the industry, for governments to make policy interventions for continuous learning and also the paramount requirement for the global infrastructure community to drive change in this area.”
“Together, we must take decisive steps to build a workforce that is not only capable of delivering sustainable projects but is also poised to lead the way in transforming the infrastructure landscape,” said FIDIC vice president James Mwangi. “I hope that this report serves as both a guide and an inspiration. It is a roadmap for action, collaboration and growth. The infrastructure workforce of tomorrow will not only build the structures that support our economies but will also shape the world we leave behind for future generations. It is our responsibility to make sure they are prepared for the task,” he said.
