3D Printing Could Help Address Labor Shortages in Canadian Construction Sector

The use of 3D printing technologies has been increasingly present over the past few years in the construction industry. This is for a few reasons, notably it allows the creation of lower-cost houses quicker in order to address the ever-growing housing crisis. But one significant driver is actually the severe labor shortage in the sector. To put it in perspective, in the USA alone the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) estimated that in 2023 it would be necessary to hire an additional 545,000 works to meet demand and that there were not enough young workers to replace those who are retiring. Similarly, in Canada, the Canadian Construction Association (CCA) estimates as 62,000 jobs need to be filled while approximately 156,00 workers will be retiring in the next few years. This has resulted in a severe labor shortage with up to 94% of companies in Quebec reporting not having enough workers and about 86% nationally. That is why recently KPMG in Canada, in collaboration with CCA, released a report to show the benefits of adopting new technologies, including 3D printing, to address these issues.

Named “Cue Construction 4.0: Make-or-Break Time,” the report from KPMG included data from 275 Canadian companies who were interviewed to track the progress that the industry has made in adopting new technologies. This included additive manufacturing, drones, robotics, building information modeling (BIM) and other aspects of “digital” technology. Indeed, it is a continuation of work that KPMG, a full-service Audit, Tax and Advisory firm, started in 2020 as it became increasingly clear that digitizing and modernizing would be critical for Canadian construction. Tom Rothfischer, Partner, and National Industry Leader, Building, Construction, and Real Estate, KPMG in Canada, explains, “Technology can help the construction industry address Canada’s housing and infrastructure challenges. Digital tools, if used smartly, save time and money, reduce waste, and improve worker safety and productivity. In short, they help get projects done on time or ahead of schedule and on budget.”

3D printing is being adopted worldwide in construction, such as with this 3D printed house in Africa (photo credits: CDC Group)

How Can Industry 4.0 Been Adopted in the Canadian Construction Sector?

The results overall show that significant progress has been made over the past 2–3 years. Despite the fact that 90% of construction companies are currently experiencing a shortage of skilled labor or trades, 86% agreed that disruptive technologies can generate savings and efficiency, while 85% believe disruptive technologies could make their companies more competitive. And though 73% thought that the construction industry in Canada lags other countries in digital technology adoption, 56% of those interviewed in this survey have invested to a great or considerable extent in while only 20% have invested a little and 25% have not invested at all. Showing the changing landscape.

Moreover, out of all the technologies named, additive manufacturing is playing a key role especially for its ability to lay concrete and build complex steel shapes with significantly fewer workers needed. In fact, up to today, there was an 80% increase in adoption of additive manufacturing compared to 63% for robotics and 78% for BIM and digital twin since 2020. Additionally, though even more projects are planned in the next few years, the report found that about 18% of projects using 18% have already implemented, perhaps including the 2-storey building that was 3D printed by nidus3D last year. This shows, more than ever, the importance of 3D printing in construction, including as a way to address labor shortages. You can learn more by downloading the report for free HERE.

What do you think of the role that 3D printing could play in decreasing the labor shortage in Canadian construction? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.

*Cover Photo Credits: Leslie Lok and Sasa Zivkovic/Cornell University