Construction Industry Council - Annual Report 2024

CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY COUNCIL 14 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Embracing Innovative Technologies in Construction We are poised to grasp the future of construction through the Future Construction Excellence (FCE) Programme and the Global Construction Digitalisation Forum and Exhibition 2024 (GCDFE). The FCE Programme has provided participants with immersive learning experiences alongside over 50 international experts, while the GCDFE attracted over 10,000 attendees, showcasing the vast potential of construction digitalisation and fostering invaluable discussions on technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential applications, Building Information Modelling (BIM) and digitalisation platforms. The promotion of construction robotics, highlighted by the Global Construction Robotic Day, the inaugural class of S690 welding robots and the deployment of multi-functional robots in handling skim coating, grinding and painting works in construction sites, has also demonstrated our commitment to enhancing our capabilities and advancing industry development. It is exciting to see these innovations come to life, streamlining operations and improving project outcomes. Investing in Our Workforce and Future Talent We deeply value our frontline workers, the backbone of our industry, and are committed to their well- being. Last December, we organised the inaugural Construction Workers Carnival, attracting 6,000 construction workers and their families. Seeing the joy on their faces was a reminder of why our efforts matter. The passage of the Security of Payment Legislation further strengthened our industry’s framework, ensuring fair and timely payments, especially to the workers. To nurture new talents, we are injecting fresh energy into the sector through initiatives like master-level training courses on digital technology, smart construction, and advanced robotics, as well as our collaboration with DEVB to introduce the “Multi-Skilled” Training Programme to encourage registered semi-skilled workers and/or skilled workers to receive training of another work trade, thereby enable workers to participate in more construction projects, enhancing their employment opportunities and fully utilising their talent and skills. Our success at the WorldSkills Lyon 2024, where we won two Medallions for Excellence, stands as a testament to our commitment to cultivating the next generation of construction professionals – an achievement that brings me great pride. Transitioning into the New “ 3D ” Era As we move forward, we anticipate an acceleration in transforming the conventional view of construction as “dirty, dangerous, and demanding” into a new “3D” vision encapsulated by “total digitalisation”, “digital leadership”, and a “data-driven knowledge base”. This shift is not merely about adopting new technologies, but redefining our approach to how we design, build, and manage our environments. Total digitalisation represents a holistic approach that encourages us to adopt a “systems thinking” mindset. By viewing the built environment as an interconnected ecosystem, we can design solutions that address infrastructure, community needs, and environmental impacts. Digital leadership is vital for driving the changes necessary for our industry’s evolution. It involves integrating innovative solutions such as artificial intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models with digital twins. I envision a future where leaders inspire their teams to adopt concepts like “Mi-infinity” with standardised and prefabricated components, unlocking new levels of efficiency and collaboration. Establishing a data-driven knowledge base is essential for fostering innovation within our organisations. By creating an academy to share insights and leveraging AI for in-house learning, we enhance our collective expertise, and I am sure our stakeholders will see a strong return on investment.