The latest round of tariffs from the Trump administration is driving construction input costs up 41% since February 2020, impacting materials like steel, copper, and aluminum. Even domestic projects are feeling the pinch, as supplier pricing reacts to broader market uncertainty. At the same time, workforce shortages are worsening — with 91% of contractors reporting hiring challenges and an estimated 546,000 additional skilled workers needed to meet demand.
In this environment, price alone isn’t the biggest concern. Developers and owners now cite schedule certainty as their primary risk. “When costs swing overnight and labor is scarce, the only winning strategy is faster, controlled and smarter execution,” said Olfa Hamdi, Co-founder and CEO of Concord Construction Academy.
AWP Helps Contractors Adapt Faster and Deliver More Predictably
Advanced Work Packaging (AWP) offers a structured method to align engineering, procurement, and construction workflows. By organizing project tasks into well-defined work packages, teams can minimize delays, reduce rework, and boost productivity.
Data from the Construction Industry Institute (CII) and recent case studies show:
- Up to 25% labor-productivity improvement
- 10% lower total installed cost
- 80% of AWP-based projects finished on or ahead of schedule
However, a 2024 peer-reviewed study revealed that lack of role-specific AWP training remains the top barrier to widespread adoption.
Concord Academy Launches Fast-Track AWP Training
To help companies implement AWP quickly, Concord Construction Academy now offers a fully online certification program. Key features include:
- Role-specific learning paths for engineers, planners, and supervisors
- On-demand modules with quizzes and downloadable tools
- Real-world case studies from energy and infrastructure projects
- Live Q&A sessions and cohort learning for enterprise teams
- Fast-track options for urgent starts or delayed projects
Clients report productivity gains up to 35%, lower rework rates, and improved cash flow on guaranteed-maximum-price contracts.
“Hiring alone won’t fix today’s challenges,” said Hamdi. “Upskilling the workforce you already have is the fastest, most cost-effective lever.”
As tariffs evolve and material markets stay volatile, early adopters of AWP are positioned to maintain momentum — even when others can’t.
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