Preparing the Next Generation of Civil Engineering Graduates: Identifying and Combating the Digital Skills Gap

Abstract

With the rapidly developing role of digital technology, industries have placed significant weight on individuals’ level of ‘digital literacy’, that is, their ability to complete tasks in a digital environment. The construction industry is no exception. It must be viewed as a high-tech industry, necessitating innovation and improvement to remain competitive within today’s digital economy. Digital tools offer the construction industry many potentials. However, to realise these benefits, the construction industry needs a different attitude towards the challenges posed not only by the new technology but also by the human component. For the future generation of engineers in the construction industry to be competitive and capable, it is critical in their preparation that they develop skills in the use of digital technologies. The overarching goal of this study was to determine the required skill set of the future ‘digital site engineer’. With this research goal, the study sought to achieve the following objectives: (i) to understand the importance of digital technologies in the future of construction; (ii) to identify deficiencies in the current skills of site engineers; (iii) to identify opportunities to use digital technologies to enhance site operations and productivity; (iv) to determine the benefits of digital technologies in future construction projects; and (v) to determine if universities provide engineering graduates with the necessary digital skills to meet future demands. The study discussed the current deficiencies in digital skills, essential digital skills future site engineers would need, and made recommendations on strategies to provide these new skills in a continuously changing field.