Unlocking the opportunities of digital capability in the built environment requires the construction industry to have a shared understanding of the skills needed, and to help ensure that leaders embed those skills in their organisations.

This is the key finding of a new report released today by the Construction Leadership Council’s People & Skills workstream, authored by Cambridge LORC Research Associate Tercia Jansen van Vuuren.

The built environment is being digitally transformed as organisations embrace tools and technologies that support the full spectrum of planning, construction and operation activities. However, organisations need to ensure that the right people have the right competencies so that digital solutions deliver the expected improved outcomes.

Developed by experts across the sector, the report aims to create a common understanding of what digital competency means in our industry and to provide guidance on how to support leaders across the built environment in embedding digital competency into their organisations.

To do this, it makes four recommendations about actions the industry can take:

• Create a vision for digital competency in the organisation, addressing the ecosystem of people, processes and technology

• Evaluate the current level of maturity or competency in each category, noting strengths and gaps

• Address gaps by partnering with government and training providers to ensure appropriate training interventions are created

• Aligning skills needs with the organisation’s strategic objectives, ensuring that digital upskilling supports business and industry outcomes such as improved productivity, safety, and sustainability

Digital capability in the built environment is no longer a specialist function; it is a core skillset that underpins how we plan, deliver, and operate the infrastructure and buildings of tomorrow.

About the report

This report presents core data and digital competencies across the built environment workforce, covering all sectors and types of organisations. This provides a framework that organisations can use to evaluate their maturity and understand the range of competencies required for successfully implementing holistic, integrated data and digital solutions.

This is not about advocating for the use of specific tools, technologies, or software, but rather about building foundational competency across the industry that supports an integrated, systems-minded approach to utilising digital solutions.

Going forward

The work undertaken to produce this report highlights the value of the Construction Leadership Council’s convening power in bringing together work happening across the industry and working towards the common goal of building a competent workforce. 

Each organisation can use this report as a framework to identify areas for upskilling that align with its strategic objectives, ensuring that digital upskilling supports business and industry outcomes, such as improved productivity, safety, and sustainability.

We encourage all those who engage with this work to support appropriate training and upskilling, ensuring that the right people have the necessary competencies to implement digital solutions effectively.

Download the report