_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Main interview
Could you elaborate on your sister organisation , Fortis EV ? Starting an EV business requires a combination of industry knowledge , financial resources , and a commitment to sustainability . It ’ s also important to be adaptable and open to change in this fast-moving industry . Fortis EV came to us naturally ; we were building a network of industry contacts and staying informed about technological advancements , and we had the knowledge to install the infrastructure required . It gives the business that additional edge , and it ’ s something we ’ re extremely excited about .
What industry changes have you seen in recent years ? Recent industry changes in civil engineering include : 1 . Digital transformation : this includes the adoption of BIM and AI for project efficiency .
2 . Sustainability focus : the civils sector is increasingly committed to green building and constructing resilient infrastructure .
3 . Renewable energy and electric mobility : this industry is working to adapt infrastructure to support renewables and electric vehicles .
4 . Transportation changes : organisations are preparing for autonomous vehicles and mobility shifts .
QWhat would you say are the challenges facing the industry , and what strategies do organisations need to ensure are in place to tackle them ? The civil engineering industry is facing many challenges : 1 . Skills shortage : it ’ s imperative to address the skilled labour shortage through training initiatives .
2 . Aging infrastructure : maintenance must be prioritised , and the relevant bodies need to secure funding for aging structures .
3 . Technological advancements : investing in technology and innovation to stay current is essential . AI will work in partnership with people for a time , but then will potentially diminish the need for specific job roles .
4 . Environmental regulations : civil engineering firms have a duty to stay compliant with evolving environmental regulations .
5 . Building legislation : the concept of a 125- year life span for buildings is gaining ground as a sustainability goal , however digital systems and smart construction technologies will be in place within a year or two and will save time and a third of the cost of life span initiatives .
QWhat should be top of the agenda for construction leaders today ? Net Zero targets , such as the installation of 300,000 EV charging installations and a target of building 300,000 homes annually , should be high on the priority list for construction leaders for many reasons including the reduction of carbon emissions , job creation , innovation and sustainability . ■
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