Building Skills in a Virtual World: Immersive Training for the Modern Workforce

Kent Anderson, Business Development Manager, Wesco

Kent Anderson is the Business Development Manager at Wesco.

Commercial modular buildings and manufactured structures have long suffered from a perception issue. The ability to build large-scale buildings faster and cheaper seemed too good to be true and the market at large decided it must be a low-quality product. However, a decade ago, hotel giant Marriott was one of the first (in modern times) to champion modular structures and showcase just how wrong the industry had been about modular builds.

Since that time studies have continuously shown that modular construction can significantly cut build time and generate project cost savings with fewer laborers and equipment needed onsite, but it can also improve build quality and provide a safer environment for workers. In fact, according to the Modular Building Institute (MBI), more than two-thirds of general contractors reported that modular construction resulted in cost savings of 5% or more. The MBI also noted that offsite framing via modular construction reduces wood waste by at least 23%. From a safety perspective, the ability to utilize modular processes to build multistory buildings on the ground floor of a factory drastically reduces the risks of injuries associated with falls.

In fact, the lack of skilled labor in the construction market is a major driving force as companies are now more willing to take a closer look at modular builds. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly one in five construction workers is age 55 or older. As these skilled laborers retire or age out, construction companies will have their hands full as they look to hire, train and deploy a new generation of workers. Modular’s factory approach can help fill the gap and ensure jobs are completed according to the project timeline without interruption.

As labor, competitive and cost factors push more contractors and developers to embrace the opportunity to go modular as a first choice and not a last resort, it’s become clear that adopting this new model requires more than just a willingness to make it happen. How can your business gear up for making the shift to think as a manufacturer and not just a contractor? How do you equip your company to move from project to production? And how can you structure your teams and operations for success? Here are five factors to consider as your company moves to a modular construction model:

1. Don’t Wait to Collaborate

Constructing any building project requires multiple experts from across the building lifecycle. From engineers to architects, designers to permitting, electricians to HVAC, everyone needs to be involved to get the job done. For modular builds, early collaboration is even more important. Discussing the goals, objectives and nuances of a modular build from the outset enables the collective group to identify issues and concerns, develop a comprehensive plan for execution, and ensure you can deliver a successful project.

2. Evaluate Size and Scale

Modular builds are bound by only a few different factors, and size is one of the most critical. For example, deciding which factory to work with may come down to size limitations based on production layout. The other element where size is a consideration is transportation. How will you get the pieces of the build from the factory to the site? Perhaps your team has decided it makes more sense to put the façade on the building onsite. You don’t need to give up your design or architectural elements and the cost benefits of a factory product. But you should leave time and space to determine how you’ll get them to the site.

3. Be Mindful of State Regulations

Speaking of transporting modular components, it’s important to note that while the Department of Transportation has some control over how oversized loads are moved, by and large it comes down to state regulations. How you move things in Massachusetts is different than how modular builds can be transported in Texas, for example. Do you need a flag car in front and in back? A police escort to the site? These nuances can raise or lower your overall costs, so be sure your team has transportation considerations built into your project expenses from the start.

4. Embrace Technology and Innovation

In the past decade, technology has advanced significantly, providing both applications and automation needed on the plant floor to drive efficiencies on production, materials and the broader supply chain. In tandem, innovative building products from plumbing to drywall have come to market. Understanding which advancements can help streamline your processes and deliver a superior quality product is paramount. Work with a trusted partner who can help navigate the ins and outs of technology innovations at both the plant floor level and the materials used in the build.

5. Use Your Resources

When it comes to construction, there is no silver bullet. But projects of every size and scale have one major success factor: collaboration. Modular construction is just one group of people figuring out how to work together to get the project done efficiently and effectively. With so many intricacies however, you simply can’t go it alone. Leverage industry associations and work with strategic partners that have experience with multiple plants and multiple scenarios. Take advantage of the collective industry knowledge to make your build as successful as possible. Distribution partners can help you understand the advantages of modular, and trade events can provide valuable opportunities to network and learn more.

From medical facilities to quick-service restaurants, hotels to multifamily homes, modular is finally gaining traction in the market. The industry has better capabilities, better technology, and better processes that are primed and ready to make modular a reality and eliminate the poor-quality perception, even as the skills gap persists. As your business makes the shift to modular construction, there are proven best practices that can be utilized to help make the transition as seamless as possible. Understanding the subtleties and working with industry partners can ease the path forward and help you capitalize on the modular movement.

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