Masonry Magazine December 2015 Page. 50
MASONRY
By Nathan Podkaminer
The Need for Technology in the Construction Industry
As we look back on our own lives and the lives of our grandparents, it is easy to see a snapshot of 60 to 100 years. So many new developments have been made during this timeframe that have a direct and indirect influence on all ofus. We quickly think of medicine, transpor�tation and communication.These arenas have been changed dramatically. Can you imagine where we would be without penicillin? Air travel is common place to us now. To our elder grandparents, it wasn't even an idea. And communica�tion -the cellphone is a way oflife today.
So what about the construction in�dustry? Count on your fingers (you probably don't need your toes) the real improvements to the industry. Yes, we have lasers that help us with grades and elevations. Much better than the water hose with glass tubes at the ends. This has been a real boost for the site work segment, for cuts/fills and grades. But, for the most part, the work of the con�struction industryhas been the same for generations. People have done the hard and taxing work. Dad, Grandpa and their predecessors worked day in and out, building our countryand theworld.
We have a tremendous opportunity today to use the advancements of tech�nology and to find new advancements, to bring the construction industry into the 21st century. The backs ofmanpower and womanpowershould not be the pri�mary tool ofthe industry. We have, I be�lieve, an obligation to the people ofthe industry to make their lives better and improve the efficiencies ofthe construc�tion process. In short, the construction industry should advance, just like its counterparts in medicine, transportation and commu�nication.
Where have we been?
Men have historically lifted the load, carried it to the needed location and placed it in its desired loca�tion. Cranes and other lift�ing devices have aided the processes that were done with pulleys and ropes. We should marvel at the Roman and Greek structures, how they were constructed with the available means and methods -a tremendous achievement. Time and economics are now increasing the need for new means and methods. The indus�try does not have the luxury ofendless durations, and the work force is slowly diminishing as experienced tradesmen age. The workforce needs to be protected from injury and age-related physical de�velopments. One cannot be satisfied to continue the course. The career positions should be both challenging and reward�ing, and attractive to newyoung talent.
Who will lead the way?
Universities, technical schools and or�ganizedlabor are the primarysourc.es and leaders for educating theworkforce ofthe future. A great opportunity exists in the construction industry, largely due to the continuous need to build. Training and education are atthe heartofthe future.As other industries have implemented new technology, including robotics, they have gone through periods ofre-training and increased education. That has allowed those industries to create high-demand technical jobsand attracta strongerwork force. New studies have shown that im�plementing robotics andnewtechnology helps companiesto be more efficientand, in many cases, doesn't reduce the num�ber ofjobs but can actually increase that number. Re-training and education are a big partofthat job growth. We can't con�tinue to think short term and expect our industry to grow and succeed. We must think about attracting more young peo�ple and giving them new,engaging tools to make their job more appealing and interesting. Investing in new technology, equipment and training is an investment in your people and the future of the in�dustry. IMAS
Nathan Podkaminer is the co�founder ofConstruction Robotics. He is a registered architect with more than 40years ofexperience managing multimillion-dollar construction projects and has broughtmany new construction concepts to the region. He is a senior executive with the Hueber�Breuer Construction Co. in Syracuse, N.Y., and was critical in the growth of the company from four employees when he started in 1975 to more than 45 today.
48 I MASONRY � December 2015 � www.masoncontractors.org The Voice of the Masonry Industry
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