Careers in Construction Month is a nationwide campaign held in October of each year to celebrate the impact the construction workforce has, increase public awareness of the industry, and inspire the next generation of industry professionals. The construction industry has over 8.3 million workers in the United States and is projected to grow 4.7% from 2023 to 2033, which is faster than the average 4.0% for the general workforce in the United States.
This month, we invited members of our Epiroc USA team who specialize in construction to chat about their journeys in the industry sharing insights and perspectives that reveal both challenges and opportunities along the way. Follow along as we chat with Nick Venter, Business Growth Manager – Data & Digital, and Joey Accardo, Technical Support Manager and explore their experiences and how they foresee technology will affect the future of the construction industry.
Joey Accardo, Technical Support Manager working on a site in the Rocky Mountains.
Q: What unique opportunities does the construction industry offer for today’s workforce?
Nick: The construction industry offers quite a blend of the traditional craftsmanship and the cutting-edge technology that Epiroc offers, for instance. People who work in our industry are given the opportunity to engage in roles that combine the classic hands-on problem solving with digital tools, automation, and remote operations that enable data analytics, so a lot of folks focus on finding the balance between the two. With global infrastructure demand rising, careers in construction provide job security, global mobility, and the chance to shape the cities and societies of tomorrow.
Joey: I think one of the coolest things about working in the construction industry is that you can work anywhere in the world. I’ve personally worked in New York City, on mountains in the Rockies, on the coast of Lake Erie, even underneath Washington DC. It made me feel like such dad when I did it for the first time, but when you're driving with your kids and you drive past a project you worked on, you can just them: “I helped build that!” That feeling is just really cool, and it never gets old.
Q: How do you see the role of technology shaping the future of construction careers?
Nick: Technology is redefining construction roles. Automation, visualization, and electrification technology which are going to reduce a lot of risks and will enable workers to make data-driven decisions. Epiroc currently has several examples of these technologies such as MyEpiroc, where you can start monitoring machines in real time, conduct predictive maintenance and remote troubleshooting, and more. These technological advancements will continue to change what the industry expects from OEMs like us.
Joey: Technology has definitely changed who construction jobs are open to. Back in the day, it used to be a very manual labor kind of world. Now, there are opportunities for people who don't have that traditional labor background in roles such as management, data analytics, and so on.
Q: How does your work at Epiroc contribute to building a safer, more sustainable future in construction?
Nick: In my role specifically, I look at how we can use digital and connectivity solutions to make the work of our partners and clients safer and more sustainable. By using multiple of our technology solutions together, for example, integrating platforms like Fleet+, Drill Tracker and Machine Data Gateway, allows for remote monitoring and automation, which improves sustainability and uses less fuel helping our clients meet emission-free targets that a lot of companies have.
Joey: One of my favorite parts of the work I do is working with customers to take feedback from what the operators want and then incorporate the needs of our customers into the next generation of products that Epiroc builds. Providing that feedback and seeing that loop of how we do it even better, how we do it even safer, how we do more work with less fuel, is a huge step forward and Epiroc's big about doing all of them.
Q: How does Epiroc support career growth and development for its employees?
Nick: Epiroc, especially in the US, puts a lot of resources into developing their employees. There are mentorship initiatives, skills training, and leadership programs. I’m in a leadership program that started this year. We also have internal programs like SafeStart that teach safety skills that a lot of us use not just at work but also at home. The culture at the US Customer Center is really amazing, and Epiroc spends a lot of resources on it. You can see it by how happy our people are and it's a good environment to work in.
Joey: There is a big focus on training, both for what you're doing now and what you might want to do next. When we do the performance and development conversations every year, it's not just focused on how you can make the company more money or how you can get more done in your current job, but on your career goals and plans. Epiroc is a company that helps you get there and achieve your goals.
Q: How do you see construction careers evolving over the next 10 years?
Nick: In the next 10 years, construction careers will become an interdisciplinary blending of careers. A lot of folks have already been doing this, and they might not have thought of themselves in this way, but you're going to see more roles like data analysts, automation specialists, and sustainability managers. All these folks are going to start getting more into the game as the potential of a remote automation solution for the civil industry becomes more viable.
Joey: It's kind of hard to see that far in the future. If you had asked me 10 years ago what it would look like today in the construction industry, I would have guessed it wrong. The industry has changed so rapidly, and I think that's probably the most amazing part of it. What I would expect to see is that the industry will continue growing safer, and the work processes will become more efficient.
Q: What excites you most about the future of this industry?
Nick: The speed of transformation in the industry is very rapid, and we're moving from a more traditional labor-intensive focus to a technology and automation-focused operations perspective. The AI revolution is driving an even bigger focus on cost effective construction for physical buildings, and it’s a great intersection where Epiroc can help evaluate the blend of technology required. I feel very lucky to get to be part of these solutions and going out to the sites and physically seeing what clients are doing and seeing the different levels of automation that people are looking to implement.
Joey: The thing that excites me the most is that I’m interacting with the world. All industries do, but right now, I'm sitting inside a building that was once a construction project. I drove on the road to get to work, and that was a construction project. Everything we do in this industry interacts with the world around us. So, when we're doing these projects and playing our part, we’re also changing the world that we interact with. With technological advancements in the industry, we can do our jobs safely and more efficiently, and with more ambition as a result.
To dive deeper into how automation, connectivity, and data are already improving efficiency, safety, and sustainability in construction operations, check out our recent webinar!
About Our Team
Nick Venter
Business Growth Manager – Digital and Data
Nick is the Business Growth Manager at Epiroc, where he focuses on driving business growth and innovation through digital and data strategies. His role involves leveraging advanced technologies to enhance operational efficiency and sustainability in the mining and construction sectors. Driving all the technology solutions that Epiroc has to offer to clients is a primary goal. Nick holds a B.Tech in Mining Engineering from the University of Johannesburg.
Joey Accardo
Technical Support Manager
Joey Accardo is a seasoned Technical Support Manager with over 15 years of experience in the mining and construction industries. Starting as a warehouse technician, Joey advanced through field service and sales roles before stepping into technical leadership. Known for a hands-on approach and deep industry knowledge, Joey thrives on solving complex, unique challenges. This passion for problem-solving drives continuous improvement and innovation across support operations.
