Building a Sustainable Construction Workforce

Dear Colleagues,

We are excited to invite contributions for our upcoming research topic titled "Building a Sustainable Construction Workforce". The construction industry, integral to the development of our built environment and a significant contributor to the global economy, faces significant challenges regarding labor sustainability. In recent years, issues such as occupational health and safety, worker welfare, an aging workforce, and professionalization have emerged as critical areas of concern. These issues, if unaddressed, could hamper the industry's growth and, more importantly, affect the lives of millions of workers globally. Against this backdrop, our topic aims to foster scholarly dialogue and explore innovative approaches for building a more sustainable construction workforce. This involves not only mitigating the challenges but also proactively shaping a workforce that is resilient, skilled, and prepared for future industry demands. We invite submissions addressing a wide spectrum of areas, including but not limited to the following:

• Enhancing the welfare of construction workers: strategies and best practices.
• The management of occupational health and safety in construction: comprehensive approaches and case studies.
• Professionalization of the construction workforce: challenges and opportunities.
• Aging workforce in construction: understanding implications and developing strategies.
• The role of policy and regulatory frameworks in enhancing construction workforce sustainability.
• Leveraging digital technology to promote health, safety, and productivity in construction.
• Mental health in the construction industry: current scenario and strategies for improvement.
• Skill development, training, and lifelong learning for sustainability in the construction workforce.

We welcome both empirical and theoretical contributions. Submissions that propose novel insights, challenge conventional wisdom, and are grounded in rigorous research are particularly encouraged. We look forward to your insightful contributions to enrich our understanding and to advance the discourse on building a sustainable construction workforce.

Prof. Dr. Hongyang Li
Dr. Beibei Zhang
Dr. Yingmiao Qian
Dr. Su Yang
Topic Editors