b'POST-COVID ERA PUTTING COVIDIN THEREARVIEW MIRRORA NEW NORMAL OR CONTINUING CHANGE FOR CONSTRUCTION? By Warren HeeleySPECULATION THESE DAYS ISa) i ncreasing digitization and a role is that we are falling behind in the focused on what the new normalvertical integration to improve adoption of new technology needed for will be for industries as the vaccinecompany efficiencies; innovation to deal with the skilled worker programs around the world move peopleshortage and compete with the up-to-date past the worst of the COVID pandemic.b)rebalancing supply chains for bettertechnology of international competitors.The construction industry in Canada,resilience to materials availability;and specifically Ontario, is part of thisAnother area of change is the need for speculation process as experts try toc)pursuing consolidation to supportcareful planning and cash flow challenges predict what the post-COVID industry willinvestment in new technologies under prompt payment and the new look like and how the industry will change. and innovation; Construction Act, notes Mollenhauer. The unprecedented industry growth in d) s hifting to more off-site modularthe past has created a ready, shoot, aim According to TCA president and CEO Johnconstruction to better manage healthapproach for contractors to keep up with Mollenhauer, the use of new normaland safety protocols for workers; demand. This approach is not going to for the construction industry may be aandwork in the future.misnomer. Prior to the pandemic, there was no normal for the industry. Instead,e)becoming closer to current and THE COVID EFFECTour industry was and continues to be in afuture customers. After nearly 18 months of the pandemic, state of constant change. The pandemicwhat changes has COVID brought to has simply created more challenges thatTo a great degree, the disruptionsthe industry that will impact its future? the industry must deal with. identified by McKinsey blend with issuesThe most visible change is in the area that were and are still driving change inof health and safety. As essential McKinsey & Company, a firm that studiesthe Ontario construction industry. Theyworkplaces, jobsites have been under the construction industry, published ainclude continually evolving health andintense scrutiny during the pandemic report in 2020 that contained both shortsafety programs that meet upgradedto meet stringent guidelines to protect and long-term trends or disruptions thatprovincial regulations and mitigate riskworkers against exposure to COVID. will impact the industry as a result ofto workers and companies as well as aComing out of the pandemic with health growing skilled labour shortage as theconcerns diminishing, it is expected the COVID. Many of these disruptions wereindustry struggles to attract new peopleCOVID guidelines will become aevident prior to or have come to light as aand thousands of current workers movestandard layer of protocols for allresult of the pandemic. They include:towards or reach retirement. Also playinghealth and safety programming.12Quarter 22021 BUILDERSDIGEST'