Appeal to Young Workers with AR in Civil Engineering! Refreshing the Construction Industry's Image and Securing Talent

Table of Contents

• Labor shortages and young worker attrition in the construction industry

• Image of the construction industry held by younger generations

• Use of AR technology advancing in the civil engineering sector

• Main benefits AR brings to job sites

• Refreshing the industry's image through AR use

• How AR supports young workers' growth and retention

• Summary: Making the future of construction attractive with AR

• FAQ

Labor shortages and young worker attrition in the construction industry

Japan's construction and civil engineering industries are experiencing severe labor shortages and an aging workforce. At their peak in the 1990s, more than 6.8 million people were employed in construction; that number has now fallen to roughly 4.8 million. The decline among younger workers is particularly notable: on sites, more than 30% are aged 55 and over, while only about 10% are 29 or younger. Such a distorted age structure risks hindering future skill transfer and the maintenance of worksites. In addition, from 2024 overtime caps will apply to the construction industry (the so-called "2024 problem"), making productivity improvements imperative to manage work with limited personnel.

Behind the labor shortage and young-worker attrition is the long-standing industry-specific "3K image" of "tough, dirty, and dangerous." Long working hours, hard outdoor labor, and safety concerns have tended to put younger generations off. The industry's lag in IT adoption and persistence of analog workflows have also made it seem outdated to digital-native generations. As a result, recruitment has struggled to grow, and even those who join sometimes leave early because they cannot adapt to harsh environments. To break this negative cycle, a radical rethinking of the industry's workstyles and image is needed.

Image of the construction industry held by younger generations

Currently, the image that younger generations have of the construction industry is not necessarily positive. In addition to the 3Ks, impressions such as "a craftsman’s world where newcomers are treated harshly" or "an old-fashioned workplace far from the latest technology" are common. When sites rely on paper drawings and verbal instructions with little use of digital devices or software, the generation for whom smartphones and tablets are the norm feels a disconnect.

Also, in workplaces with few young people, the loneliness of lacking peers of the same generation and the psychological burden of feeling intimidated among many veterans tend to grow. Even if they enter with motivation, if they feel they "can't envision a future for themselves" or that they "just get dirty and have no chance to upskill," they will not find meaning or job satisfaction and will leave. From the perspective of young people, it is not surprising that the traditional construction industry can appear as an unattractive, old-fashioned sector. To secure the young talent that will carry the industry's future, dispelling this negative image is an urgent task.

Use of AR technology advancing in the civil engineering sector

One trump card expected to break this situation and refresh the construction industry's image is the introduction of digital technologies. Among these, AR (Augmented Reality) is attracting attention. AR overlays digital information onto real-world scenes and can be used via smartphones, tablets, or AR glasses. In recent years, AR has been adopted not only in entertainment and gaming but also across manufacturing, medicine, and education—and civil engineering and construction are no exception.

Policies such as *i-Construction* promoted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism have accelerated the introduction of AR/MR technologies to sites alongside drone surveying, automation of construction equipment, and BIM/CIM utilization. For example, initiatives have begun where a 3D design model is overlaid on a tablet camera feed to directly confirm the completed image on-site, or where remote specialists draw instructions on live site video to provide real-time support. Tasks that used to rely on comparing drawings with the site and the intuition of seasoned workers are becoming workable by anyone using intuitively visualized information via AR. The introduction of AR technology in the civil engineering industry is steadily advancing and gives younger generations the fresh surprise of "being able to use cutting-edge technology at construction sites." AR use cases on sites are increasing year by year, and major construction firms developing proprietary AR solutions and equipment manufacturers incorporating AR to assist heavy machinery operation are among the observed trends. These developments are steadily repainting the old image of an "analog industry."

Main benefits AR brings to job sites

What kinds of changes in workstyles actually occur when AR is introduced? Here are the main benefits obtained through AR utilization.

• Reduction of construction mistakes and quality improvement: It prevents overlooking drawings and measurement errors, significantly reducing rework. Because workers can visually confirm digital design lines and height standards at all times, work can proceed with high accuracy without relying on the intuition of experienced personnel. As a result, quality defects decrease and young workers can work with greater confidence.

• Real-time progress confirmation and immediate correction: It prevents failures discovered only after concrete has been poured and set. By checking the finished form on AR on-site and issuing correction instructions immediately when deviations or defects are found, early rectification becomes possible. This eliminates the waste of redoing work later and improves overall site efficiency.

• Promotion of young workers' independence and skill development: Even inexperienced young workers can proceed without hesitation because AR acts as a navigation guide indicating work steps and construction positions. Situations where they must constantly check with seniors decrease, allowing them to act on their own judgment and build confidence. As a result, growth speed increases and early realization as effective workers is facilitated.

• Smoother communication and consensus building: Sharing AR-displayed completion previews or highlighted construction areas among all stakeholders reduces mistakes caused by "misaligned perceptions." Young and veteran workers can look at a tablet together and discuss, "Let's lower that part a bit," and contractors can be intuitively briefed simply by showing AR visuals. Communication that was hard to convey with drawings or text alone becomes much easier.

• Improved safety: AR technology also contributes to site safety management. For example, visualizing hazardous zones or locations of buried objects in AR can prevent workers from inadvertently entering danger areas. In addition, pre-experiencing hazardous work via AR or VR can reduce near-miss incidents on site. Improved safety allows young workers to work with peace of mind, which in turn is expected to help improve retention rates.

Overall, AR can be likened to a "car navigation" for sites. It serves as a reassuring guide for newcomers and a reliable tool that reduces the burden of instruction and verification for veterans. The result is smoother team coordination and contributions to higher quality and safety.

Refreshing the industry's image through AR use

The variety of benefits AR brings to sites not only enhances productivity and safety but also directly contributes to improving the construction industry’s image. Sites that actively adopt cutting-edge technologies are inherently attractive to young people. In fact, more companies are highlighting keywords like drones and AR on recruitment pages and at company briefings to avoid appearing as an "old industry." Furthermore, digitally driven smart sites appeal to IT-skilled individuals and women—groups that previously showed little interest in construction—as a new attraction.

By using AR, you can communicate that a site once seen as "tough, dirty, and dangerous" is becoming a "cool, efficient, and innovative" workplace. For example, a young employee who smoothly completes surveying or layout tasks—traditionally reliant on craftsmen's intuition—while carrying a tablet symbolizes the new era of construction sites. AR-displayed construction guidelines visible through helmets and pop-up safety alerts are smart touches previously unseen. Such digitally modernized sites are likely to become topics on social media, serving as a powerful tool to attract potential talent who think, "I want to work at a place like this!"

AR can also be used in recruitment activities. For instance, offering virtual site experiences using VR/AR during internships or workplace trials can have a strong impact on participants. Allowing them to operate virtual heavy machinery or build structures in a virtual space tends to spark interest in construction more than showing flat materials. Experiencing the sense of achievement while engaging with the latest technology alters the perception that the industry is all about getting dirty, reducing mismatches after hiring.

How AR supports young workers' growth and retention

AR adoption is also highly effective for supporting young workers' development and improving retention rates. On-the-job training (OJT) at sites often leaves veterans without enough capacity to thoroughly teach newcomers, and many young workers are left unsure of what to do. If AR can act like "another senior" to support newcomers, the training burden is greatly reduced.

For example, with AR-based construction navigation, even novices can proceed through correct procedures without getting lost. They do not need to constantly ask a senior "Is this right?"; following AR-displayed guidelines allows them to act proactively, increasing such opportunities. Consequently, young workers can minimize failures while accumulating successful experiences, enabling confident growth.

Also, combining AR with 3D scanning technology makes it easy to verify construction results on-site as data. For example, by scanning the construction area with a smartphone camera or LiDAR and overlaying the resulting point cloud data on the design model with color coding, deviations and excesses become immediately apparent. This kind of instant feedback allows young workers to objectively evaluate the precision of their work. Visualizing successes and areas for improvement creates a sense of understanding and helps identify concrete issues for next time. If a habit of data-driven review takes root, the site's overall technical level will continuously improve and young workers will steadily enhance their skills.

Furthermore, when site information gathered through AR and digital measurements is accumulated in the cloud, it itself becomes a company's knowledge asset. Sharing past construction data and failure cases as training material creates an environment where inexperienced newcomers can learn from their predecessors' wisdom. Cloud-shared AR systems also enable remote support where experienced engineers at headquarters can check conditions in real time and provide appropriate advice. This sense of always being able to receive follow-up prevents newcomers from feeling isolated on site and contributes to better retention. Visualizing traditionally tacit craftsmanship for transmission to the next generation—AR is extremely effective for that purpose. For young workers, if the skill acquisition process becomes transparent, it is easier to envision future growth and more likely they will commit to staying.

Summary: Making the future of construction attractive with AR

As Japan faces a declining birthrate and aging population, securing and developing young talent is an unavoidable challenge for the sustainable development of the construction and civil engineering industries. One promising solution is the use of digital technologies such as AR. They not only contribute to on-site productivity improvements and safety assurance but also can attract talent by improving the industry's overall image.

In particular, solutions that combine smartphones with high-precision GNSS to enable anyone on site to perform simple surveying and AR displays (e.g., LRTK) are emerging. For example, with simple surveying using LRTK, surveying tasks that previously relied entirely on specialists can now be quickly handled by a single young worker with a smartphone. Armed with the latest technology, small teams can operate sites efficiently, leading to significant changes in workstyles. Positioning the construction industry as a field where the digital generation can leverage their strengths to excel—a rebranding centered on AR technology—is not an exaggeration. Take this opportunity to positively consider the potential of on-site DX including AR. AR technology will continue to evolve and is likely to become a new standard in construction. By embracing change proactively, companies can enhance competitiveness and create more attractive workplaces.

FAQ

Q: What is AR? How is it used in construction? A: AR (Augmented Reality) is a technology that overlays digital information onto real-world scenes. In construction, it is used to project designs and 3D models onto the site via tablet or smartphone screens for accurate positioning and construction checks. For example, AR can display the locations of underground buried objects in roadworks or overlay a building's completed image on-site for comparison.

Q: What is the difference between AR and VR? Which is more effective for construction? A: VR (Virtual Reality) immerses users in a fully virtual environment via headsets, while AR adds information to the real environment. Both are useful in construction but serve different purposes. AR excels at on-site navigation and verification tasks, whereas VR is suitable for safety training and simulation of construction planning. It is effective to use each according to their strengths.

Q: Do I need special equipment to use AR on construction sites? A: Today, AR can be utilized without necessarily having expensive dedicated hardware. Basic AR that overlays 3D models on camera views can be achieved with common smartphones or tablets. For more precise alignment, combining small GNSS receivers or tablet surveying devices enables high-accuracy AR displays and surveying. Advanced devices like AR glasses exist, but many companies start by deploying solutions on handheld devices.

Q: I'm worried about the cost of introducing AR. Is the cost-effectiveness justified? A: Introducing AR involves some initial cost, but significant long-term benefits can be expected. These include reduced rework costs from fewer construction mistakes, shorter schedules from increased efficiency, and faster development of human resources leading to earlier productivity. The government also offers subsidies to support ICT adoption on construction sites, which can lower the cost burden. Most importantly, if AR aids in securing and retaining young talent, it can lead to long-term labor cost savings and more stable management.

Q: Can veterans as well as young workers use AR effectively? A: Even veterans unfamiliar with new technology can make effective use of simple AR systems. Recent AR apps feature intuitive UIs that require only following on-screen prompts. In fact, combining veteran expertise with AR technology creates synergy; for example, veterans' tacit "points of attention" can be annotated in AR and shared across the team. Choosing AR tools usable across generations ensures benefits for everyone on site.

Q: In what specific situations on construction sites is AR useful? A: AR has a wide range of use cases. For example, overlaying design drawings for layout work (positioning) and as-built inspection allow on-site confirmation that work matches plans. It is helpful for visualizing buried objects and piping, preventing excavation errors. AR is also used for remote supervision and support, where specialists annotate live site footage to assist from afar, enabling clients to inspect sites without being physically present and improving communication efficiency. Additionally, safety training can use VR/AR for hazard simulation, and equipment inspection can display step-by-step guides over machinery—AR supports efficiency and safety across many site operations.