When it comes to digitisation and technology adoption, often purchasing the software package is the easiest part of the journey. The real work begins with rolling it out across a business, ensuring you empower employees to maximise its value
In this article, Stuart Campbell, Senior Manager of enterprise sales at Trimble, explores the importance of training for true tech adoption and its contribution to a “digital first” culture.
All too often, companies will spend considerable time, resources and money on purchasing a new software package or digital tool, with little thought as to how it will be rolled out across the business most effectively. Deciding to purchase a new software license is only the very start of the journey, with attention also needed to correctly onboard staff.
Rather than treating the onboarding process as an afterthought, as is often the case, it should be repositioned as a means of equipping employees with the skills and knowledge they need to maximise the technology’s value, ensuring a strong return on investment.
Common barriers to tech adoption
The construction industry’s barriers to widespread technology adoption have been well documented, with the skills gap and reluctance to modernise and change cited as among the biggest obstacles.
At the heart of this could be a lack of confidence with the new digital workflows, especially considering that more than a third of today’s workforce is expected to have reached retirement age by 2035, having spent the majority of their career with traditional paper-based workflows. This discomfort with using tablets, software, and digital technology often manifests as a reluctance to adopt change or upskill.
Take the case of information management software as an example. If the roll-out is to be effective and the benefits, enhanced traceability and productivity gains are to be truly realised, you need buy-in from across the whole company – including those teams both in the office and out in the field.
Put simply, it’s clear that technology isn’t going anywhere. In fact, with evolving regulations and more stringent requirements, it’s likely only going to become more commonplace. For this reason, training is so important: it supports employees by upskilling them and encourages them to become confident with the new workflows.
Empowering employees
At the core of employee empowerment are support and communication. If these pillars are not in place, businesses risk processes not being followed correctly, work not getting done, or large data gaps forming, all of which can cause major issues further down the line. When it comes to project and information management software, relying on paper-based methods by some team members dilutes the overall value.
Instead, by using structured training sessions and workshops, you can equip employees with the skills and knowledge they need to implement digital processes. Training can be bespoke depending on the company, its requirements, and team structure, whether that’s individual sessions or large-group workshops. It’s also important to include subcontractors and the wider supply chain (where relevant), ensuring that everyone is up to date with the requirements and way of working.
Ultimately, communication is key. By listening to feedback, you can ensure that staff feel heard and supported. Technology may be the tool and enabler, but it’s nothing without the people using it.
Younger, digitally minded generation
A further factor at play, which could have a hugely positive impact on technology uptake within construction businesses, is the younger generation who are entering the industry. Generally speaking, young graduates, engineers, and trainees tend to be more digitally minded, having grown up with advances in computers and other technology. Using digital platforms often comes more naturally to them. It’s important that we all maximise on this knowledge, helping to boost a “digital first” culture amongst the industry.
However, there is one thing this younger generation is missing: site experience. Some companies, such as Beard Construction, have been combining the two and adopting a successful “mentor” scheme, in which younger trainees are paired with an experienced site manager. The skills and knowledge shared are very much a two-way street, with excellent results so far.
Beard Construction
After starting life as a joinery shop, Beard Construction celebrated 135 years of trading in 2025 and today regularly leads projects from £1m up to £30m across a variety of sectors. Understanding the value of digital technology, Beard Construction places the emphasis firmly on empowering the user.
Matt Hill, Operational Software Manager: “Across Beard, we believe that a system is only as good as the people who use it, meaning it is our responsibility to empower the software users through hands-on support. It’s essential that we support staff and provide them with the tools and knowledge needed to maximise the value that technology can offer.
“Ensuring that staff feel both heard and supported is also essential. While you can introduce the best technology, effective communication will still win the day. This works both ways, as it’s crucial to listen to and take feedback on board from the people who use these systems daily. Their input helps us make improvements when needed, ensuring the platforms remain streamlined and efficient.”
Trimble
All that said, it is not just the company’s responsibility to empower its employees – software providers, such as us, also have a role to play.
At Trimble, we believe that support is very much an ongoing service, not just in terms of the initial training and onboarding, but also help and guidance whenever it is needed. That’s why our high-performance software platforms are backed by an experienced global support organisation, while our continued focus on innovation regularly delivers functional upgrades that keep pace with market trends and requirements.
Learn more about Trimble, here: www.trimble.com/construction
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