Download PDFOpen PDF in browserA Literature Review on the Impact of Multiskilling on Construction Project Outcomes10 pages•Published: June 2, 2026AbstractLabor shortages continue to challenge the construction industry’s ability to meet project demands and maintain productivity. One workforce strategy receiving increasing attention is multiskilling, which involves training and assigning workers to perform tasks across more than one trade. This paper reviews existing studies on multiskilling in construction to understand its impact on project performance and workforce outcomes. A total of 53 studies were examined, including 17 that quantitatively assessed cost, schedule, productivity, and manpower utilization. The findings suggest that multiskilling can improve efficiency and flexibility, though most studies rely on simulated data rather than real world projects. There remains a need for research grounded in field data, particularly within the United States, to better understand how multiskilling performs under actual site conditions. The review identifies gaps, including inconsistent definitions of performance metrics, limited comparisons with single-skilled labor, and lack of consideration for regulatory requirements such as prevailing wage and apprentice-to-journeyman ratios. Continued research is needed to address these gaps and build a more practical understanding of how multiskilling can be effectively applied in construction projects.Keyphrases: construction workforce, labor shortage, multiskilling, project performance, u.s. construction industry, workforce utilization In: Wesley Collins, Anthony Perrenoud and John Posillico (editors). Proceedings of Associated Schools of Construction 62nd Annual International Conference, vol 7, pages 1012-1021.
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