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Millennials and Gen Z are the first generations to come of age as digital natives. Together, they represent a watershed in the collective experience, where digital technologies now dominate our daily lives.
In specialised fields such as geotechnical engineering and engineering geology, making educated, science-backed decisions is critical for infrastructure safety and reliable operation. The question is, how can the sector harness the skills of younger generations while still ensuring they have a clear understanding of the core principles to guarantee safe and reliable infrastructure?
In our previous article, we discussed how optimising ground investigations was key to maximising the value of civil engineering projects. Now, we’ll look at another factor that contributes enormous value to the success of a project — its people.
To find out how digital-native geoprofessionals will shape the future of the civil engineering industry, we caught up with:
- Dr Rachel Murtagh, Product Manager of Geology & Geostatistics at Seequent
- Dr Katherine Pedley, Geology Lecturer at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand
"Millennials and Gen Z are digital natives, but for a completely different type of technology that does a lot for them, rather than with them."
Dr Katherine PedleyGeology Lecturer, University of Canterbury (NZ)
Why cater to digital-native generations in the engineering industry?
Today, labour shortages are severely impacting the industry. With an estimated 229,000-worker shortfall in Australia’s civil engineering sector alone, attracting younger, digital-native generations has become essential for the sector’s survival.
Engaging these tech-savvy demographics can help bridge the skills gap — continuing to let the industry meet infrastructure demands, while still protecting project success and public safety.
What’s causing these labour shortages?
Geotechnical engineering and engineering geology encompasses a unique blend of geological and engineering expertise. As a result, graduates often need to pursue further postgraduate training – such as a master’s degree – to be ready for the workforce.
This steep entry requirement slims down the talent pipeline even further, doubling down on this skills gap.
“These are very niche, scientific, highly skilled roles — not something that comes straight out of university. This makes it an even more complex and harder-to-solve challenge.”
Dr Rachel MurtaghProduct Manager of Geology & Geostatistics, Seequent
A recent GE100 survey found over 70% of industry professionals cited a skills shortage as their main concern for the civil engineering sector — for the third year in a row. Over 80% also stated they had experienced difficulty hiring qualified engineers. At the same time, the demand for these skills is on the rise, with over half of companies expecting growing workloads and planning to expand their staff within the next year.
Adding to this strain is an ageing workforce. The American Geosciences Institute projects that more than a quarter of the current geosciences workforce will retire by 2029, leaving around 130,000 positions unfilled in their wake.
This wave of retirements, combined with a slowing influx of new talent, means there is a growing demand for effective training solutions to attract new generations and sustain the geotechnical and geosciences sectors.
Students from University of Canterbury (NZ) working with Seequent’s Visible Geology, a digital tool to help students get access and visualise geological concepts.
How can we combat labour shortages in the civil engineering industry?
Addressing these labour shortages needs to start early — in education. Today, universities recognise this skills gap, implementing programmes and working closely with industry-led initiatives to better equip their students for a future in geoscience.
For example, Seequent’s Visible Geology is a digital tool that offers 3D visualisations to make complex geological concepts more accessible to students.
“We know from our experience that putting something in front of someone in a very visual 3D environment has a profound effect on their level of understanding. These tools bridge the gap between education and practical applications.”
Dr Rachel MurtaghProduct Manager of Geology & Geostatistics, Seequent
Providing tools like Visible Geology helps bridge the knowledge gap, leaning on both academic learning and professional development to create a stronger, more prepared workforce.
Following their education, graduate programmes and on-the-job coaching are crucial for entry-level engineers, who need extensive training, mentorship, and supervision.
“No matter which way these people come into the industry, they’re having to upskill in an entirely different science very quickly and on the job, which makes it harder.”
Dr Rachel MurtaghProduct Manager of Geology & Geostatistics, Seequent
Many civil and environmental firms are increasingly offering structured graduate programmes to help new engineers gain hands-on experience quickly, developing the skills they need to meet industry standards.
Together, these efforts — whether it’s educational initiatives, industry-backed training tools, or structured graduate programmes — are vital for plugging gaps in the workforce and supporting a well-prepared, capable generation of geoprofessionals.
How digital tools attract new talent
Attracting new talent to ground engineering is challenging. That’s especially true given the declining interest from school students in maths and science.
Between 2008 and 2019, 71% to 76% of Australian Year 12 students were enrolled in one or more maths subjects. In 2020, this figure dropped to just 66%.
This trend — particularly affecting young women and girls — is drying up the pool of students pursuing maths-related careers like geology and engineering, adding to labour shortages in the geoscience sector.
Digital tools, however, are helping to bridge this gap. Solutions like AI and machine learning are becoming increasingly adopted for predictive analysis, making previously complex calculations and models more approachable and understandable. These tools are quickly making the field more appealing to students who might once have found a more maths-based career path overwhelming or intimidating.
“If you can give people ways of experimenting and interacting with these problems in a practical way, as opposed to just giving them an equation, that's unbelievably powerful.”
Dr Rachel MurtaghProduct Manager of Geology & Geostatistics, Seequent
Applications like Visible Geology use 3D visualisations to simulate geological processes and events — from geological formations to different fault mechanisms. This allows students to interact and learn through experimentation in a safe environment, while also appealing to younger generations raised on digital media to resonate with their learning style.
One effective strategy in this digital transition is the integration of gamification elements. These gamified, immersive environments help attract younger audiences by transforming learning into a hands-on experience.
Not only does this gamification empower students to engage actively with concepts — instead of passively absorbing information — it also reduces entry barriers, builds their confidence, and ultimately encourages them to consider careers in engineering fields.
“Young people like digital tools and are quick adopters. Lots of my students have played Minecraft and comment that it definitely got them more interested in geology.”
Dr Katherine PedleyGeology Lecturer, University of Canterbury (NZ)
Overall, digital tools make geosciences more accessible, helping students to visualise and understand the real-world applications of ground engineering.
Seequent’s Visible Geology is a free, digital tool to help educators and students create and investigate three-dimensional geological concepts
How to support digital-native generations of geoprofessionals
As digital-native generations enter engineering, the civil industry faces a pressing need to adapt.
Many traditional tools, outdated software, and rigid filing systems lack modern user experience in their product designs, clashing with the digital experiences younger generations are used to and making their entry to the field disorienting.
“The computer literacy required for this type of modelling may be harder for new generations coming through, who have grown up with simple user interfaces, and less requirement to interact with a computer and make it work for them.”
Dr Katherine PedleyGeology Lecturer, University of Canterbury (NZ)
To attract and retain these tech-savvy generations, the industry needs to modernise and align its practices with digital expectations.
How can the industry “meet digital natives where they are”?
To attract and retain digital-native talent, the first thing the industry needs to adapt is its use of digital platforms.
One effective approach is partnering with universities to introduce industry-standard tools, like Seequent’s Leapfrog Works and GeoStudio, into coursework. This early exposure helps students become comfortable with the tools they’ll later encounter in the workplace, easing their transition into industry roles and reducing friction during their onboarding.
“Part of what we are doing is integrating more software and modelling use into our courses. We focus on the key generalised programs so students can more easily pick up specific digital tools and programs on the job, depending on what that industry requires.”
Dr Katherine PedleyGeology Lecturer, University of Canterbury (NZ)
The work doesn’t stop once digital-native geoprofessionals have entered the workforce, however. They will still need continuous professional development. To help these young professionals deepen their skills independently, many industry-specific software companies now include structured learning paths, manuals, and real-world case studies.
Learning from platforms is one thing, but learning from the experience of others is a lifeline for many new entrants, which is why mentorship is another vital part of their journey. While digital tools can streamline learning, guidance from experienced mentors helps early-career engineers apply these tools effectively in real-world contexts.
“The industry will have to be prepared to provide extra training. We need to stay focused on critical thinking and quality problem-solving at university, so students can respond to specific training and contexts in the workplace.”
Dr Katherine PedleyGeology Lecturer, University of Canterbury (NZ)
Collaborative tools like Seequent Central give mentors oversight, enable peer reviews, and allow knowledge sharing with their wider team, allowing them to provide guidance while still giving younger professionals space to develop their skills.
Meeting digital natives “where they are” also means evolving widely adopted industry tools. Using more intuitive, user-friendly digital solutions not only keeps companies competitive — it also creates work environments that resonate with the expectations of younger generations.
Ultimately, adopting digital tools will make engineering a more appealing career choice for millennials and Gen Z – not only to initially choose, but to continue working in for years to come.
For digital-native geoprofessionals, digital problems need digital solutions
One thing is for certain — companies need to make the field of engineering more attractive to incoming talent.
Digital tools are emerging as a major incentive towards geosciences in general for millennials and Gen Z. They open up a world of possibilities for students to learn and experiment with geoscience concepts by engaging with more interactive experiences.
By incorporating digital tools that speak the same language as these younger, tech-savvy generations — integrating new elements like AI and immersive technologies — companies can attract the next generation of geoprofessionals and combat their labour shortages.