Seventeen-year-old Eeli Nuutinen is studying construction, a field that artificial intelligence is not expected to replace, amidst ongoing labor shortages in the industry.
Eeli Nuutinen, a 17-year-old student at Omnia in Espoo, Finland, is pursuing a career in construction, an industry that faces a significant labor shortfall due to ongoing retirements. The construction sector, which has faced challenges for the past four years, is reassuring its future workforce that there will be job opportunities available, emphasizing that practical skills in areas such as building and earthworks cannot be easily replaced by artificial intelligence.
The concerns about attracting new talent to the construction sector have been voiced by the Finnish construction industry association, Rakennusteollisuus. With an increasing number of skilled workers retiring, there is a pressing need for new builders. Eeli, having already gained experience in construction work, expresses a strong interest in specializing in interior work, repairs, and tiling, which require a high level of craftsmanship. His instructor, Ere Nieminen, shares skepticism towards the potential rise of construction robots and emphasizes the current difficulties in the housing market, leaving some uncertainty about when the construction sector might recover.
Industry leaders like Ville Wartiovaara, the deputy CEO and regional director for Uusimaa, highlight that while the construction sector is experiencing setbacks, the demand for workers remains persistent. The emphasis on skilled labor, particularly in practical areas that require human dexterity and decision-making, suggests that the future of construction jobs will still be in high demand despite technological advancements in automation.
