Survey: Young Construction Workers Want Employers to Invest in Technology

STACK research finds technology, training and knowledge sharing could play a role in retaining newer workers

contractors with tablet — Photo by alan boyce on Unsplash

A new survey suggests entry-level construction workers increasingly view technology as a tool for career development and knowledge sharing rather than a threat to their jobs.

Research released Sept. 22 by STACK Construction Technologies found 82% of entry-level construction professionals surveyed said they would be more likely to remain with an employer long term if the company invested in modern technology to capture and share workplace knowledge. The finding comes as contractors across the industry continue to contend with labor shortages, retiring experienced workers and challenges transferring institutional knowledge to newer employees.

The survey found 75% of respondents lacked formal training, while 34% said insufficient expertise in the field had contributed to project delays. Another 26% said those delays led to costly mistakes, and 21% said a lack of needed expertise could jeopardize long-term client trust. Younger construction professionals also reported a divide over artificial intelligence adoption. Fifty-one percent said they believe company leaders either view AI negatively or do not prioritize it, while 25% said younger workers are advocating for new tools but encounter resistance from more experienced decision-makers.

"The biggest misconception is that AI works in construction the same way it does in other industries," STACK CEO Viyas Sundaram said. "AI can't pour concrete or read a jobsite. Its real opportunity in construction is to capture institutional knowledge and make it accessible for the next generation of workers."

Technology also appears to factor into employer selection and retention. Among respondents ages 18 to 25, 90% said they would be more likely to remain with an employer that invests in technology. That figure was 77% among workers ages 26 to 35.

STACK commissioned Censuswide to conduct the online survey of 500 U.S. construction professionals ages 18 to 35 with three years or less of industry experience. Fieldwork was conducted Aug. 19-25, 2026.