Workforce
Multiskilled Crews in Mechanical Readiness: What the New Field Data Shows
A 2026 field study found 10 multiskilled workers do the work of 14 to 17 single-trade workers. What that means for data center readiness crews.
By Denham McCollum, COO, Prime Equipment Solutions | The Readiness Report | Growing Fast
Key takeaways
A 2026 national field study estimates that 10 multiskilled workers can cover the scope of 14 to 17 single-trade workers.
Multiskilled crews spent 39% more of their time directly advancing the work, and idle and waiting time fell by about 68%.
Construction still needs about 349,000 net new workers in 2026, mostly to replace retirees.
Mechanical readiness work is a natural fit for cross-training, because flushing, filtration, glycol injection and testing run in sequence on the same systems.
Cross-training only works when safety training and sign-offs cross over too.
A multiskilled crew is one where workers are trained to perform several related scopes instead of one trade. New field data suggests these crews get far more done per worker. With craft labor still short, that makes cross-training one of the most practical ways to add capacity without adding headcount at the same pace.
What did the 2026 multiskilling study find?
The study, "Multiskilling in the U.S. Construction Industry," was led by the Simplar Foundation with researchers from Arizona State University, the University of Kansas and UNC Charlotte, and released through Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) on September 2, 2026. Researchers made 40 site visits to 36 projects in 24 states, observing 60 crews and 644 workers, with more than 11,400 work-sampling observations.[1]
The key findings:[1]
The share of crew time "directly advancing construction work" was 39% higher on multiskilled crews.
Idle and waiting time fell by about 68%.
Single-trade crews would need about 45–72% more workers to do the same work.
Multiskilled crews posted a total recordable incident rate (TRIR) of 0.74, 57% below the benchmark.
Presenting the study, the University of Kansas's Brian Lines put it this way: "for every 10 multiskilled workers observed, between 14 and 17 single-trade workers would be needed."[2]
Why does cross-training matter so much right now?
Because the labor shortage hasn't let up. In AGC and NCCER's 2026 workforce survey, 88% of firms with craft openings said those roles are as hard or harder to fill than a year ago. Forty-two percent said worker shortages had delayed projects, and half said available candidates lack the skills they need.[3]
ABC estimates the industry needs about 349,000 net new workers in 2026. Its chief economist, Anirban Basu, says "a majority of new worker demand in 2026 will be attributable to retirement."[4]
Data centers add pressure. In the same AGC survey, 58% of respondents said data center projects have increased competition for skilled workers.[3]
Why is mechanical readiness a natural fit for multiskilled crews?
Because the work is a sequence on the same systems. Before a data center's cooling loops can be commissioned, they typically need:
Mechanical flushing to remove construction debris
Filtration to bring water quality to spec
Hydrostatic testing to prove the piping holds pressure
Glycol injection where freeze protection or liquid cooling requires it
Water logistics to bring in, store and remove water
If each step needs a different crew, the job stops between steps while the next team mobilizes. That's the idle and waiting time the multiskilling study measured. When one crew is trained across the sequence, the work keeps moving.
What are the risks of cross-training too fast?
New hires and new tasks carry more risk. Travelers' 2026 Injury Impact Report, based on more than 1.2 million workers' compensation claims, found first-year employees account for 44% of construction injuries, and "first-year injuries drove 47% of construction compensation claim costs."[5]
The lesson isn't to avoid cross-training. It's to treat every new scope like a new job:
Train on one scope at a time
Pair the worker with an experienced lead
Sign off on each scope before solo work
Repeat the safety training for each new task, not just the first one
The study's below-benchmark incident rate suggests multiskilling and safety can go together when it's done this way.[1]
How can a contractor start building multiskilled crews?
Map the sequence. List which scopes happen back to back on the same systems.
Pick adjacent skills. Start with tasks that share equipment and hazards.
Define sign-offs. Write down what "ready for solo work" means for each scope.
Track it. Keep a skills matrix so supervisors know who can do what.
Pay for it. Tie pay or advancement to new skills, so people want to learn them.
Where Prime Equipment Solutions fits
Prime Equipment Solutions grew from about 13 people to more than 50 in six months in 2026, based in Abilene, Texas. Its mechanical readiness scope covers flushing, RO filtration, hydrostatic testing, glycol injection and water logistics under one team.
Want a readiness crew that doesn't stop between steps? Request a Quote
Looking for a career in the trades? See open roles
Frequently asked questions
What is a multiskilled construction worker?
A worker trained to perform several related scopes or trades, instead of a single trade.
Are multiskilled crews more productive?
A 2026 national field study found multiskilled crews spent 39% more time directly advancing work, and estimated that 10 multiskilled workers cover the scope of 14 to 17 single-trade workers.
Is cross-training safe for new workers?
It can be, if each new scope gets its own training and sign-off. First-year workers account for 44% of construction injuries, so pairing and sign-offs matter.
How many construction workers are needed in 2026?
Associated Builders and Contractors estimates about 349,000 net new workers, mostly to replace retirees.
What skills does mechanical readiness work involve?
Mechanical flushing, filtration, hydrostatic testing, glycol injection and water logistics for building and data center cooling systems.
Sources
Associated Builders and Contractors, "First-ever national field data study on multiskilled construction shows wins for workers, taxpayers, industry," Sep 2, 2026.
Sebastian Obando, "Labor squeeze prompts revised construction workforce strategies," Construction Dive, Sep 14, 2026.
AGC and NCCER, 2026 Workforce Survey Analysis, Sep 2026.
Zachary Phillips, Construction Dive, on ABC's 2026 workforce estimate, Jan 28, 2026.
Claims Journal, "Travelers: Aging Workforce, New Employees Drive Complexity in Injury Claims," May 11, 2026.
