GITNUXREPORT 2025

Upskilling And Reskilling In The Building Industry Statistics

Upskilling drives productivity, safety, innovation, and workforce resilience in construction.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has increased construction productivity by approximately 15%

Statistic 2

Augmented reality is being adopted in 35% of new construction projects to assist in planning and training

Statistic 3

The integration of artificial intelligence in construction management processes has increased project efficiency by 12%

Statistic 4

Adoption of AI-driven project management tools increased by 33% between 2021 and 2023 in the building industry, aiding in workforce planning

Statistic 5

The global construction industry is projected to digitally transform at a CAGR of 9.5% through 2027, emphasizing the importance of upskilling

Statistic 6

Construction workers with training in green building techniques report a 12% higher wage premium than those without

Statistic 7

78% of construction professionals believe upskilling is essential for adapting to industry changes

Statistic 8

The global construction workforce is expected to grow by 12% by 2030, driven by increased demand for skilled labor

Statistic 9

65% of construction firms have implemented new training programs in the past two years

Statistic 10

Reskilling initiatives in construction have led to a 25% increase in project efficiency

Statistic 11

54% of construction companies prioritize digital skills in their upskilling programs

Statistic 12

Investment in upskilling in the building industry increased by 35% from 2020 to 2023

Statistic 13

Construction workers with advanced digital skills earn on average 20% more than those without

Statistic 14

72% of construction managers see upskilling as key to meeting future project demands

Statistic 15

80% of construction firms reported a skills gap in their workforce in 2022

Statistic 16

Only 45% of construction workers feel their skills are sufficient for modern technological demands

Statistic 17

Construction firms that invest in continuous training see a 40% reduction in safety incidents

Statistic 18

The global upskilling market for building professionals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% through 2028

Statistic 19

63% of workers in the building industry believe that technological upskilling will be necessary for career progression

Statistic 20

Reskilling programs in construction have shown to decrease onboarding time by 30%

Statistic 21

The use of virtual reality training in construction has increased by 50% since 2020, improving safety training outcomes

Statistic 22

70% of construction companies report difficulties in finding skilled labor, emphasizing the need for reskilling

Statistic 23

Construction apprenticeships increased by 15% in 2023 as companies focus on reskilling efforts

Statistic 24

88% of construction industry leaders agree that upskilling is critical for digital transformation

Statistic 25

The average age of a construction worker is 42, highlighting the importance of reskilling to replace retiring workers

Statistic 26

Construction sector investments in new training technologies increased by 28% in 2022

Statistic 27

60% of construction firms are now using online training modules for upskilling their workforce

Statistic 28

The return on investment for upskilling initiatives in construction can be as high as 150%, considering productivity and safety improvements

Statistic 29

55% of new construction hires lack key digital competencies, underscoring the need for reskilling

Statistic 30

Women represent only 13% of the construction workforce but are increasingly targeted through reskilling programs

Statistic 31

65% of surveyed construction companies plan to increase their investment in workforce training over the next year

Statistic 32

Construction projects with trained and upskilled teams report 25% fewer delays

Statistic 33

60% of construction firms are actively reskilling older workers to mitigate labor shortages

Statistic 34

The use of drone technology in construction site supervision increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023, supporting skills development

Statistic 35

72% of construction companies agree that reskilling is necessary to meet future technological advancements

Statistic 36

The skills gap in construction is projected to cost the industry over $1.6 trillion globally by 2030 if not addressed

Statistic 37

58% of construction firms have partnered with educational institutions to develop tailored upskilling programs

Statistic 38

82% of workers who received upskilling reported increased confidence in handling complex tasks

Statistic 39

Construction companies investing in upskilling saw a 22% reduction in employee turnover

Statistic 40

The demand for sustainable building practices is driving upskilling in green technologies in the construction industry

Statistic 41

68% of construction workers feel that their current training programs are outdated, highlighting the need for modernization

Statistic 42

Customized upskilling programs tailored to project-specific needs improve productivity by 18%

Statistic 43

The growth of modular and prefabricated construction methods has increased demand for specialized skills, prompting major upskilling initiatives

Statistic 44

79% of construction firms acknowledge that continuous learning is crucial for future competitiveness

Statistic 45

Investment in virtual and augmented reality training tools in construction increased by 45% in 2022, improving job site familiarity

Statistic 46

The ethical implications of automation and AI in construction have prompted 40% of industry leaders to prioritize reskilling for ethical AI use

Statistic 47

Construction companies training in safety and compliance see 35% fewer OSHA violations, driven by targeted upskilling programs

Statistic 48

50% of contractors have adopted online learning platforms to facilitate continuous professional development

Statistic 49

Reskilling in the construction sector is projected to create over 5 million new jobs globally by 2030, according to industry forecasts

Statistic 50

66% of construction firms see upskilling as a strategy to improve worker retention and satisfaction

Statistic 51

The development of smart buildings is increasing demand for skills in IoT and automation, prompting targeted upskilling efforts

Statistic 52

71% of recently hired construction workers received onboarding through digital upskilling programs, increasing retention and efficiency

Statistic 53

The leading barrier to upskilling in construction remains cost, cited by 58% of firms, despite long-term ROI advantages

Statistic 54

The adoption of renewable energy construction projects has increased the need for upskilling in solar, wind, and green building tech, with a 30% rise in related training programs

Statistic 55

77% of construction companies are planning to enhance their upskilling and reskilling initiatives in the next year, according to recent surveys

Statistic 56

Online skills assessments help identify specific gaps among construction workers, streamlining targeted upskilling efforts

Statistic 57

Construction sector productivity could increase by up to 25% with widespread implementation of digital skills and upskilling, according to industry experts

Statistic 58

Investment in retraining older workers in construction is linked to a 15% reduction in early retirement and increased workforce longevity

Statistic 59

85% of construction project delays are attributed to skills shortages, demonstrating the importance of upskilling

Statistic 60

62% of industry professionals believe that reskilling is key to enhancing innovation in construction

Statistic 61

89% of companies agree that future success depends on continuous upskilling and reskilling of their workforce

Statistic 62

The use of competency-based training models in construction has increased project success rates by 20%

Statistic 63

70% of construction firms plan to invest more in upskilling due to labor shortages

Statistic 64

Major construction firms have partnered with technology providers to develop bespoke upskilling programs, resulting in 40% faster project delivery

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Key Highlights

78% of construction professionals believe upskilling is essential for adapting to industry changes
The global construction workforce is expected to grow by 12% by 2030, driven by increased demand for skilled labor
65% of construction firms have implemented new training programs in the past two years
Reskilling initiatives in construction have led to a 25% increase in project efficiency
54% of construction companies prioritize digital skills in their upskilling programs
Investment in upskilling in the building industry increased by 35% from 2020 to 2023
Construction workers with advanced digital skills earn on average 20% more than those without
72% of construction managers see upskilling as key to meeting future project demands
80% of construction firms reported a skills gap in their workforce in 2022
The adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has increased construction productivity by approximately 15%
Only 45% of construction workers feel their skills are sufficient for modern technological demands
Construction firms that invest in continuous training see a 40% reduction in safety incidents
The global upskilling market for building professionals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% through 2028

With 78% of construction professionals deeming upskilling essential for adapting to industry shifts and projections of a 12% workforce growth by 2030, the building industry is rapidly transforming through innovative reskilling initiatives that boost productivity, safety, and competitiveness.

Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption

The adoption of Building Information Modeling (BIM) has increased construction productivity by approximately 15%
Augmented reality is being adopted in 35% of new construction projects to assist in planning and training
The integration of artificial intelligence in construction management processes has increased project efficiency by 12%
Adoption of AI-driven project management tools increased by 33% between 2021 and 2023 in the building industry, aiding in workforce planning
The global construction industry is projected to digitally transform at a CAGR of 9.5% through 2027, emphasizing the importance of upskilling

Digital Transformation and Technology Adoption Interpretation

As the building industry accelerates its digital transformation with BIM, AR, and AI, a 9.5% CAGR underscores that those not upskilling risk being left behind in an increasingly intelligent and efficient construction landscape.

Sustainability and Green Building Initiatives

Construction workers with training in green building techniques report a 12% higher wage premium than those without

Sustainability and Green Building Initiatives Interpretation

Construction workers embracing green building skills are not only paving the way for a more sustainable future but also pocketing a 12% higher wage premium—a smart investment for workers and the planet alike.

Workforce Development and Training

78% of construction professionals believe upskilling is essential for adapting to industry changes
The global construction workforce is expected to grow by 12% by 2030, driven by increased demand for skilled labor
65% of construction firms have implemented new training programs in the past two years
Reskilling initiatives in construction have led to a 25% increase in project efficiency
54% of construction companies prioritize digital skills in their upskilling programs
Investment in upskilling in the building industry increased by 35% from 2020 to 2023
Construction workers with advanced digital skills earn on average 20% more than those without
72% of construction managers see upskilling as key to meeting future project demands
80% of construction firms reported a skills gap in their workforce in 2022
Only 45% of construction workers feel their skills are sufficient for modern technological demands
Construction firms that invest in continuous training see a 40% reduction in safety incidents
The global upskilling market for building professionals is projected to grow at a CAGR of 8.2% through 2028
63% of workers in the building industry believe that technological upskilling will be necessary for career progression
Reskilling programs in construction have shown to decrease onboarding time by 30%
The use of virtual reality training in construction has increased by 50% since 2020, improving safety training outcomes
70% of construction companies report difficulties in finding skilled labor, emphasizing the need for reskilling
Construction apprenticeships increased by 15% in 2023 as companies focus on reskilling efforts
88% of construction industry leaders agree that upskilling is critical for digital transformation
The average age of a construction worker is 42, highlighting the importance of reskilling to replace retiring workers
Construction sector investments in new training technologies increased by 28% in 2022
60% of construction firms are now using online training modules for upskilling their workforce
The return on investment for upskilling initiatives in construction can be as high as 150%, considering productivity and safety improvements
55% of new construction hires lack key digital competencies, underscoring the need for reskilling
Women represent only 13% of the construction workforce but are increasingly targeted through reskilling programs
65% of surveyed construction companies plan to increase their investment in workforce training over the next year
Construction projects with trained and upskilled teams report 25% fewer delays
60% of construction firms are actively reskilling older workers to mitigate labor shortages
The use of drone technology in construction site supervision increased by 40% from 2020 to 2023, supporting skills development
72% of construction companies agree that reskilling is necessary to meet future technological advancements
The skills gap in construction is projected to cost the industry over $1.6 trillion globally by 2030 if not addressed
58% of construction firms have partnered with educational institutions to develop tailored upskilling programs
82% of workers who received upskilling reported increased confidence in handling complex tasks
Construction companies investing in upskilling saw a 22% reduction in employee turnover
The demand for sustainable building practices is driving upskilling in green technologies in the construction industry
68% of construction workers feel that their current training programs are outdated, highlighting the need for modernization
Customized upskilling programs tailored to project-specific needs improve productivity by 18%
The growth of modular and prefabricated construction methods has increased demand for specialized skills, prompting major upskilling initiatives
79% of construction firms acknowledge that continuous learning is crucial for future competitiveness
Investment in virtual and augmented reality training tools in construction increased by 45% in 2022, improving job site familiarity
The ethical implications of automation and AI in construction have prompted 40% of industry leaders to prioritize reskilling for ethical AI use
Construction companies training in safety and compliance see 35% fewer OSHA violations, driven by targeted upskilling programs
50% of contractors have adopted online learning platforms to facilitate continuous professional development
Reskilling in the construction sector is projected to create over 5 million new jobs globally by 2030, according to industry forecasts
66% of construction firms see upskilling as a strategy to improve worker retention and satisfaction
The development of smart buildings is increasing demand for skills in IoT and automation, prompting targeted upskilling efforts
71% of recently hired construction workers received onboarding through digital upskilling programs, increasing retention and efficiency
The leading barrier to upskilling in construction remains cost, cited by 58% of firms, despite long-term ROI advantages
The adoption of renewable energy construction projects has increased the need for upskilling in solar, wind, and green building tech, with a 30% rise in related training programs
77% of construction companies are planning to enhance their upskilling and reskilling initiatives in the next year, according to recent surveys
Online skills assessments help identify specific gaps among construction workers, streamlining targeted upskilling efforts
Construction sector productivity could increase by up to 25% with widespread implementation of digital skills and upskilling, according to industry experts
Investment in retraining older workers in construction is linked to a 15% reduction in early retirement and increased workforce longevity
85% of construction project delays are attributed to skills shortages, demonstrating the importance of upskilling
62% of industry professionals believe that reskilling is key to enhancing innovation in construction
89% of companies agree that future success depends on continuous upskilling and reskilling of their workforce
The use of competency-based training models in construction has increased project success rates by 20%
70% of construction firms plan to invest more in upskilling due to labor shortages
Major construction firms have partnered with technology providers to develop bespoke upskilling programs, resulting in 40% faster project delivery

Workforce Development and Training Interpretation

With 78% of construction professionals insisting that upskilling is essential amid rapid industry shifts, the sector's predicted 12% workforce growth by 2030, driven by higher demand for skilled labor, underscores that climbing the skills ladder isn't just good practice—it’s the blueprint for building the future.