Ahmed, S M; Yaris, C; Farooqui, R U and Saqib, M (2014) Key attributes and skills for curriculum improvement for undergraduate construction management programs. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 10(4), pp. 240-254. ISSN 1557-8771
Abstract
Construction is a dynamic industry that requires continuous focus on academic curriculum to meet the current workforce demands. Educational institutions that are responsible for developing undergraduate students require a strategic plan to adequately prepare future construction managers to be able to better manage the ever-increasing complexity of the construction industry. This paper investigates the most important skills that today's construction industry requires from graduating construction management students. This research examines a skill set determined by an initial preliminary survey. This skill set was then addressed through structured surveys sent to various industry stakeholders in order to identify the key skills desired by the industry from today's graduating construction management students. The significance of the study is it identifies the key knowledge areas; personal and professional attributes; skills; and expertise that academic curriculums in construction management programs need to focus on in order to adequately prepare graduating students entering today's modern and complex construction industry. The study concludes that knowledge of health and safety regulations, interpreting contract documents, listening ability/ giving attention to details, knowledge of building codes and regulations, and time management are the five most important skills desirable in a new hire in construction management.; Construction is a dynamic industry that requires continuous focus on academic curriculum to meet the current workforce demands. Educational institutions that are responsible for developing undergraduate students require a strategic plan to adequately prepare future construction managers to be able to better manage the ever-increasing complexity of the construction industry. This paper investigates the most important skills that today's construction industry requires from graduating construction management students. This research examines a skill set determined by an initial preliminary survey. This skill set was then addressed through structured surveys sent to various industry stakeholders in order to identify the key skills desired by the industry from today's graduating construction management students. The significance of the study is it identifies the key knowledge areas; personal and professional attributes; skills; and expertise that academic curriculums in construction management programs need to focus on in order to adequately prepare graduating students entering today's modern and complex construction industry. The study concludes that knowledge of health and safety regulations, interpreting contract documents, listening ability/ giving attention to details, knowledge of building codes and regulations, and time management are the five most important skills desirable in a new hire in construction management.;
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | construction management; graduating students; construction education; attributes; desirable skills; strategic planning; curricula; college students; managerial skills; skill development; construction industry |
| Index terms: | strategic planning, regulation, survey, contract document, construction education, college student, key attribute, health and safety, complexity, time management, construction industry, desirable skill, managerial skill, graduating student, program, undergraduate, building code, skills development, construction manager |
| Subjects: | political science, risk assessment, professional development, data collection methods, personnel development, regulatory law, management, health safety and environment, profession, professional education, curriculum development, contractual condition, software systems, educational outcome, student development, project controls, systems engineering, industry analysis, sociology |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Engineering Principles, Risk Management, Legal Issues, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Contract Administration, Human Resources, Roles and Professions, Digital Applications, Business Strategy, Information Management, Education, Governance, Time Control |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here