62. Building a Better Industry: Jon Davies on Construction's Culture Shift

In this episode of Building Doors, host Lauren Karan sits down with Jon Davies, CEO of the Australian Constructors Association (ACA), to discuss how the construction industry is at a turning point. With rising costs, crippling skills shortages, and increasing pressure for sustainability, Jon explains why 2024 is the year for transformation—and how leaders, contractors, and clients can work together to drive real change.From modern methods of construction (MMC) to flexible work practices, Jon shares bold ideas for increasing productivity, creating inclusive workplaces, and making construction a more attractive career path. Whether you’re an industry veteran or just starting out, this episode will inspire you to be part of the solution.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Leadership, Culture & Change:Why 65% of the construction workforce is considering leaving—and how to reverse this trend.How clients, contractors, and leaders can work together to improve culture and productivity.Why collaborative contracts and moving beyond "lowest price wins" are key to industry sustainability.Modern Methods of Construction (MMC):How innovative practices can close the 30% productivity gap between construction and other industries.The shift from prescriptive specifications to performance-based outcomes.Why technology and flexible working are game-changers for retaining talent.Diversity, Inclusion & Retention:How the Culture in Construction Standard is tackling long hours and adversarial workplaces.Why flexible rosters and job-sharing can keep parents and experienced professionals in the industry.How recruiting from adjacent industries can fill skill gaps and bring fresh ideas.Rebranding the Industry:Why construction has a PR problem—and how to fix it.How to promote the purpose, innovation, and legacy that come with building infrastructure.Jon’s “It’s Possible” campaign, aimed at attracting more women into the industry.About Our Guest:Jon Davies is the CEO of the Australian Constructors Association (ACA) and a passionate advocate for improving culture, productivity, and diversity in construction. With over 30 years of experience across the UK, Middle East, Singapore, and Australia, Jon has worked with major contractors, led industry associations, and driven national initiatives for positive change.Through ACA, Jon is leading industry-wide projects like the Culture in Construction Standard, the Foundations and Frontiers Forum, and advocacy for modern methods of construction (MMC). He believes construction can be an industry people aspire to join—not one they avoid.Key Quotes from Jon Davies:“We’re facing a skills shortage, but the real issue is productivity. If we close the 30% gap with other industries, the workforce problem disappears.”“Leadership isn’t about titles—it’s about listening, showing empathy, and driving change.”“We can’t afford to keep working the way we did 30 years ago. This is the year for transformation.”“If we want more women and younger generations in construction, we need to fix the culture first.”About Your Host:Lauren Karan, founder of Karan & Co. and host of Building Doors, is a recruiter and development coach passionate about helping professionals unlock their potential. Through this podcast, Lauren shares inspiring stories and actionable insights to empower listeners to create opportunities in their lives and careers.How You Can Support the Podcast:✅ Subscribe and leave a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.✅ Share this episode with industry peers, leaders, and changemakers.✅ Stay connected: Follow Lauren and Building Doors on LinkedIn.✅ Subscribe to the Building Doors newsletter for exclusive insights.Don’t Miss Out:Listen to previous episodes here.Interested in being a guest or providing feedback? Email us at [email protected] you for tuning in! It’s time to stop waiting and start building.