Welcome to this week’s edition of TheJobWalk! Before we dig in—ever heard this one? "Why did the construction crew bring ladders to work? Because they heard the job had its ups and downs!" All jokes aside, we know the industry can feel like you’re constantly scaling to new heights. Kick back and enjoy this week’s edition!

PROJECTS

Huge Project Announcement: $10B Meta Data Center

Meta has announced they are going to be collaborating with DPR Construction, Turner Construction Company and Mortenson on this revolutionary project in Louisiana. The state-of-the-art facility is set to span across 4 million sqft and will become Meta's largest investment within its AI portfolio. During construction, the project is expected to create around 5,000 labor jobs and up to 500 operational jobs once complete. Construction is expected to continue through 2030.

• Client: Meta

• General Contractors: Turner Construction Company / DPR Construction / Mortenson

• Award: Data Center

• Value: $10 Billion

• Location: Monroe, Louisiana

Project Update: $3 Billion Data Center - "Project Borealis"

Project Borealis, situated on 160 acres in Mesa Arizona, is set to unfold in two phases over the next decade, with a total investment exceeding $3 billion. The first phase is expected to be complete by 2026. The facility will create 200 jobs and features sustainable designs, including a water-free cooling system saving 650 million gallons annually and renewable energy use. Upon total completion, the campus will encompass five data halls, an office building, and a warehouse, spanning 1.3 million sqft.

• Owner/Developer: Novva Data Centers

• Design Team: AE Urbia & Pkj Design Group

• Sector: Data Centers

• Investment Value: $3 Billion

• Location: Mesa, Arizona

Investment Announcement: $50 Billion Data Center Investment

Announced last month, KKR and ECP announced a $50 billion strategic investment to accelerate the development of data centers and power generation. The investment will have a primary focus in Texas and will be used to support the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence and cloud computing.  Specific details regarding project timelines and the contractors involved have not been publicly disclosed yet.

• Company: KKR & ECP (Energy Capital Partners)

• Sector: Data Center

• Investment Value: $50 Billion

• Location: Texas

Project Announcement: $1.6B Austin Convention Center Redevelopment

A JV between Turner Construction Company & JE Dunn Construction has been selected for the $1.6 Billion redevelopment of the Austin Convention Center. The project will double its current 376,000 sqft of space - expanding exhibit halls, meeting rooms, and upgrading amenities. Focused on sustainability, the redesign aims to place Austin as a top destination for events. Construction is expected to break ground in 2025 and finish by 2029.

• General Contractor: Turner Construction Company & JE Dunn Construction

• Design Team: LMN Architects & Page

• Engineering Team: Jacobs

• Sector: Commercial/Hospitality

• Investment Value: $1.6 Billion

• Location: Austin, Texas

NEWS

Wanted: 500,000 More Construction Workers

The U.S. construction industry faces persistent labor shortages, with the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) estimating the need for over 500,000 additional workers in 2025 to meet growing demand.

This shortfall highlights the sector’s ongoing workforce challenges, driven by an aging labor pool, a lack of new entrants, and a mismatch between workforce skills and project needs. The gap jeopardizes timely project completion and adds to construction costs, particularly as demand surges in areas such as infrastructure, data centers, and housing.

To address these challenges, employers are increasing recruitment efforts, offering higher wages, and investing in training to attract and retain skilled workers. Simultaneously, there is a growing adoption of technology, such as robotics, automation, and AI, to reduce reliance on manual labor.

Despite these initiatives, the labor shortage remains a critical concern, requiring collaboration between industry leaders, educators, and policymakers to ensure the sector can meet its growing demands. ​

Balfour Beatty’s Billion Backlog

Balfour Beatty anticipates a 5% increase in its order book, surpassing the £16.5 billion reported at the end of 2023, and expects a 2% revenue growth from last year's £9.6 billion. While overall profit from operations is projected to exceed the 2023 figure of £236 million, the U.S. Construction segment faces reduced profitability due to project delays in the latter half of the year.

Despite these challenges, the U.S. backlog is expected to grow by over 10%, driven by significant orders in hospitality, federal/state work, commercial offices, and education sectors. CEO Leo Quinn emphasizes the benefits of the company's diversified portfolio in achieving earnings growth for 2024.

WORLD

Stansted Airport Expansion, United Kingdom

Located on the outskirts of London, Stansted Airport is one of the largest airports in the United Kingdom, serving a record-breaking 29.3 million passengers in the year ending September 2024. Their current expansion plans to increase capacity to 43 million a year towards 2040.

The terminal extension will offer a larger departure lounge featuring an extensive range of shops, bars, and restaurants, as well as an expanded immigration area and additional baggage reclaim belts. It will also include an enlarged security hall and introduce the latest check-in technology for a smoother, more efficient journey.

A press release from the UK Government revealed that more than 5,000 jobs will be created as a result of a 5-year, £1.1 billion investment in London Stansted Airport, announced on 14 October 2024 by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Transport Secretary Louise Haigh.

TECH SPOTLIGHT

From Hard Hats to Holograms: AR & VR Are Building the Future

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are increasingly adopted in the U.S. construction industry, enhancing various aspects of project execution. A 2024 survey revealed that 37% of construction companies have experience with AR and VR technologies (Orca). The AR and VR market in construction is projected to grow from $1.4 billion in 2018 to approximately $4.7 billion by 2023, sourced via Wunderbuild.

These technologies are primarily utilized for design visualization, project planning, and on-site problem-solving, leading to improved collaboration and reduced errors. However, challenges such as high implementation costs and the need for specialized training have slowed widespread adoption. Despite these obstacles, the integration of AR and VR is expected to continue expanding, driven by their potential to enhance efficiency and safety in construction projects.

Meet the AI-Powered Hardhat

Buildots, an Israeli startup founded in 2018, has developed an AI-powered construction management platform that utilizes hardhat-mounted 360-degree cameras to capture images during site inspections. These images are analyzed using artificial intelligence to provide real-time insights into project progress, identify discrepancies, and suggest actionable solutions, thereby reducing delays and optimizing resource allocation.

The platform integrates seamlessly with existing workflows, offering a user-friendly interface that empowers project managers to make informed decisions. By identifying potential risks early and improving coordination among stakeholders, Buildots aims to transform how construction projects are executed.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

Your quiz questions for this week:

Which structural element is commonly used to resist lateral loads in tall buildings?

A. Shear wall // B. Truss // C. Joist

Which sustainable building certification system assesses a structure’s environmental performance and resource efficiency?

A. LEED // B. OSHA // C. FEMA

When forming concrete elements, which term refers to the temporary or permanent molds used to shape the poured concrete?

A. Shoring // B. Formwork // C. Underlayment

Which project delivery method consolidates design and construction responsibilities under a single contract, often streamlining communication and timelines?

A. Design-Bid-Build // B. Design-Build // C. Construction Management at Risk

Which emerging construction technique involves additive manufacturing to create building components layer by layer, often speeding up production and reducing waste?

A. 3D Printing (Contour Crafting) // B. Precast Panels // C. Stick-Framing

Check out the answers at the bottom.

WEEKLY FUNNY

THIS WEEK’S HOT JOBS

1. Traveling Superintendent, Data Centers

2. Traveling MEP Superintendent, Data Centers

3. Electrical Project Manager, Manufacturing

4. MEP Project Manager, Data Centers

5. Project Manager, Healthcare

6. Electrical Estimator, Commercial

7. Electrical Superintendent, Commercial, Residential

8. MEP Project Manager, Healthcare

9. Project Engineer, Any

10. Project Executive, Food & Beverage

REFLECTION

This week’s question to ask yourself..

Am I achieving the goals that I’ve set for myself?

🚧Answers

Q1 A. Shear Wall // Q2 A. LEED // Q3 B. Formwork // Q4 B. Design-Build // Q5 A. 3D Printing (Contour Crafting)

How many did you get?

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