The National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) has released survey results collected from more than 330 industry professionals at the NFPA 2023 Conference & Expo®, the premier conference for fire, electrical, and life safety. The research findings reveal insights around trends and attitudes on digital transformation, training, and educational programs.
Eight in 10 respondents reported using digital tools on the job every day, with 43 percent using one to two tools daily, 26 percent using three to five, and 11 percent using more than five tools. For those leveraging digital solutions, the benefits are integral to the job: 24 percent cited computers, tablets, phones, or NFPA LiNK® as technologies and tools they can’t live without.
When asked to identify obstacles within the design and build process, 29 percent of respondents cited collaboration (up from 22 percent in the NFPA 2023 Industry Trends Survey) as a top challenge, while 23 percent cited access to resources. Luckily, the value provided by digital tools is helping address top industry challenges, as 61 percent saw increased collaboration and streamlined processes as a result of implementing digital tools into their workflows.
However, there is still room for improvement in terms of integrating technology into daily job functions, with one-third of respondents admitting they have not implemented digital tools in their daily workflows. Moreover, 42 percent report they are spending less on new tools, including digital ones, as a result of economic uncertainty.
Sixty-six percent of respondents said their organizations offer training and development programs to employees at least twice a year, while 54 percent of respondents reported participating in at least two training sessions per year.
Where trainings are offered, live or on-demand virtual formats are the most popular (66 percent), followed by onsite sessions (31 percent). Respondents listed the following as top benefits of digital-first training:
- 86 percent strongly agreed or agreed utilizing digital tools makes training easier.
- 87 percent strongly agreed or agreed utilizing digital tools saves time while training.
- 83 percent strongly agreed or agreed conducting trainings with digital tools helps streamline the process.
The implementation of training still faces barriers. More than one-fourth (26 percent) of respondents reported they are reducing budget allocated to training and development. Additionally, respondents noted a lack of time to participate in training (67 percent), inaccessible pricing (53 percent) and trouble determining the right program (46 percent) as top challenges for training and development.
Survey Methodology
NFPA collected responses from 336 U.S. and international-based workers, 18 years and older in the electrical, manufacturing, construction, engineering, architect/design, facility maintenance, fire service, and insurance/risk management fields to determine findings of this industry research. The survey was conducted in-person between June 19, 2023 and June 21, 2023 at the 2023 NFPA Conference & Expo®.
