New survey on the development of webinars in the construction industry

In the context of the health crisis, new modes of communication and work based on the use of digital tools have developed, including the use of webinars. The study shows that this tool is still in the development phase in the habits of craft businesses, since 43% of craft businesses surveyed attended one or more webinars over the period 2020-2021. The interest of craftspeople for this format is confirmed: 62% of participants believe they feel as comfortable remotely as face-to-face, and 52% of craft businesses want to continue or start using this practice. Companies favor short formats, at the beginning or end of the day, mainly on technical topics, related to their business (35% of webinars attended).

The study also firstly reveals the need to increase the visibility of the holding of these webinars, given the fact that 14% of craftsmen say they are not aware, but also to organize formats mixing face-to-face and distance.

The webinar, a means of information and training still not very widespread among craftsmen, but which is tending to become more democratic

With nearly half of respondents having attended at least one webinar over the 2020-2021 period, the study carried out shows that the webinar is a tool that tends to take its place among the habits of craftsmen. Among the participants, 29% are business leaders, 8% are craftsmen's spouses and 6% are assistants or secretaries.

The study shows that the main reason why artisans did not attend any webinars is that they prefer to attend face-to-face meetings (37% of respondents). They also mention a lack of time (33%), the fact that they were not aware of the webinars offered (18%) or an insufficient quality of internet connection to be able to follow the webinar (12%).

In addition, only 11% of employees of the companies surveyed took part in at least one webinar in 2020-2021. According to business leaders whose employees have not attended, this is mainly explained by a preference for face-to-face meetings (20%), premises that are not always suitable for organizing the presence of employees (19 %), as well as by the lack of knowledge of the holding of these webinars (17%).

The study also highlights the fact that the proportion of craft businesses having attended at least one webinar varies according to the size of the business: the more the business has a large number of employees, the more it tends to participate.

While 59% of companies with 10 to 19 employees attended at least one webinar in 2020-2021, this is the case for only 31% of artisans working alone.

The interest of craftsmen for webinars nevertheless tends to be confirmed, since 52% of respondents want to continue or start using this practice.

Among the main advantages offered by this format, the majority of craft businesses emphasize that it allows them to save time (30% of businesses questioned) and to make savings, linked to travel costs (26% of businesses questioned).
In addition, among the 43% of companies having attended at least one webinar over the period, 62% felt they felt as comfortable remotely as in person to participate in the meeting.

Finally, 52% of artisans believe that the quality of exchanges is impacted by remote meetings. This appreciation is observed in large majority among craftsmen in rural areas (40%, against 12% in urban areas), and can therefore be explained by the presence of white areas in rural areas, impacting the quality of the Internet network.

A marked preference for short formats, at the start or end of the day

The results of the study show that the vast majority of craft businesses believe a webinar should last less than an hour (76%), and 21% believe they should last an hour. Beyond that, they believe that there is a risk of losing the attention of the participants, or even of leaving the webinar before the end. For this reason, only 2% are in favor of a format longer than an hour.

The time of day also has an impact on whether artisans are willing to participate in a webinar. Indeed, they believe that the beginning and end of the day are more conducive to participating. Business leaders also mostly prefer to attend a webinar after 17 p.m. (35%) or around 9 a.m. (25%). These same trends are emerging for their employees (32% after 17 p.m. and 32% around 9 a.m.).

Acclaimed technical content, mixed with a practical face-to-face part

Technical webinars related to the trade of the craftsman were the most attended (35%).

Webinars were also used by craft businesses to learn about Covid-19 (28%), the use of an administrative tool (27%), as well as a specific business risk such as noise. , dust, work at height, etc. (10%).

We find this interest in technical webinars in the answers of the companies questioned concerning the topics they would like to see covered during these remote meetings. In fact, 30% prefer to follow webinars devoted to the technical aspect or to their profession. This theme is followed by administrative management (26% of respondents), legal (25%) and health and safety (19%).

Concerning the follow-up of health and safety webinars in particular, 33% of craft businesses surveyed would like these webinars to focus on a specific risk, with an explanation of the regulations and practical advice for preventing it. Among the risks that aroused the most interest, we find the risks of falls from height, physical constraints and MSDs, stress and finally the risks related to dust. In addition, 32% would prefer webinars addressing the update of the single document, 22% would like to follow webinars presenting the tools of the OPPBTP and IRIS-ST, while 13% are moving towards webinars relating to the creation of the single document.

There is also an interest in formats that would mix remote with face-to-face. 55% of business leaders surveyed indicate that they are in favor of taking mandatory safety training, using remote training for the theoretical part and face-to-face training for the practical aspects. The trend remains the same for their employees.

The mailing, the main source of information for craft businesses regarding the holding of a webinar

According to the results of the survey, the reception of newsletters and e-mails of information is the main means of information of the holding of the webinar for the craft companies of the construction industry (63%). 16% also say they have been informed via social networks, 5% by word of mouth and 2% through press articles.

On the other hand, 14% of the companies questioned indicated that they had not been informed of the holding of webinars.

The vast majority of craft businesses appreciate receiving an email reminder on D-Day containing the necessary login information.

They are indeed 85% for companies with 1 to 19 employees, and 80% for craftsmen working alone, to be favorable to this type of reminder by email.

On the other hand, craft businesses prefer not to be overstretched. Only 1/3 of them are in favor of sending several emails reminding them of the date of the webinar (31%). 54% prefer to receive only an email, and 15% do not wish to receive a reminder.

“We have been thrown into the distance by the Covid crisis. We have been able to manage, govern and cope with our daily lives thanks to these new digital means. Craft building companies have discovered the use of videoconferences and webinars to stay informed and continue to exchange. The pandemic has also been an opportunity to use online training. If these new methods of information, communication and work constitute real time savings for business leaders, the fact remains that the face-to-face remains popular and moreover, a high proportion of them (37%) did not wish to use it. Distance learning is a practical and useful solution, provided that it is limited in duration and frequency because nothing will ever replace the quality of face-to-face discussions. Jean-Christophe Repon, President of CAPEB.

“Whether for training or information, the webinar has many advantages, in particular the savings in travel time, the possibility of being reviewed when you cannot free yourself during the live or even of creating available content. That said, we should not completely abandon our physical meetings, which allow us to forge human ties and create conviviality. And, it must be admitted, when you follow an online conference, you can quickly be led to drop out due to disruptive elements: telephone ringing, employees who ask you... If we have become familiar, especially during the crisis , to this tool perfectly adapted by its flexibility to the rhythm of our companies, it undoubtedly opens up many more possibilities » Françoise DESPRET, President of the CNATP.