What Industry Voices Are Telling Us about Digital Future of Construction
As the construction industry rapidly evolves, so too must the way we prepare new professionals entering the sector. Across Europe, digitalisation is no longer a future trend – it’s a current reality. From health and safety simulations to online collaboration platforms, digital tools are reshaping how construction teams communicate, plan, and train. But how aligned are vocational training programmes with the actual needs of the industry?
That’s the question we asked during pilot interviews in Ireland as part of the ConstructHer Future (CoHER) project. We spoke to site managers, trainers, and business owners to test the relevance of our new Set of Innovative Digital Teaching Tools and Methodologies – a toolkit designed to modernise construction Vocational Education and Training and make it more inclusive, practical, and forward-thinking.
The response?
Optimistic but realistic.
- “Everyone wants new workers to be more digitally confident, but we also need to give them the right tools – not just apps that look good on paper,” one participant noted.
🔹 Digitalisation trends in construction:
- Shift toward paperless workflows and real-time updates on-site
- Increasing use of project collaboration tools across teams and trades
- Growing demand for mobile-friendly, on-the-go learning formats
- Use of simulations and virtual environments in safety and onboarding
Many praised the toolkit’s variety: simulations, gamified learning, collaborative platforms, and project-based activities – but also called for clarity on where to start. Others flagged the importance of onboarding not only learners but trainers too.
- “There’s no point introducing digital tools to trainees if the person teaching them doesn’t know how to use it either.”
The CoHER toolkit responds to this feedback with flexible, accessible, and scalable tools that support both learners and educators. As we finalise the full version, this collaborative design process, built on real voices from the sector, ensures that what we create isn’t just innovative, but truly usable. The future of construction is digital, and thanks to industry insight, we’re building that future with the people who know it best.
Key Takeaways from Piloting in Ireland
Digital skills construction workers will need:
- Navigating digital blueprints and 3D models
- Communicating through project management apps (e.g., Trello, BIM tools)
- Completing digital safety and compliance checklists
- Using tablets or phones to submit site data, photos, and updates
Future Cast
This project has been co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union
