Ejohwomu, O A; Proverbs, D G and Olomolaiye, P (2006) Multiskilling: A UK construction and building services perspective. In: Boyd, D (ed.) Proceedings of 22nd Annual ARCOM Conference, 4-6 September 2006, Birmingham, UK.
Abstract
The overall significance of the construction and building services sector internationally cannot be overemphasized. In the UK, the industry currently accounts for 10% Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 2 million people, which is more than 1 in 14 of the total workforce. However, regardless of its peculiarity there has being a steady decline in the number of trade entrant into the construction and building services sector. Consequently, available "pool of labour" is inadequately resourced; productivity is low; existing labour force is over stressed; there is increase site deaths and long-term labour shortage is envisaged. Today, 'Multiskilling' has been suggested as a strategy for addressing these issues - effectively utilizing existing "pools of labour". This paper is aimed at reviewing the concept of Multiskilling as applied in both construction and non-construction sectors as a backdrop for evaluating Multiskilling in UK construction sector. Inference is drawn from a quantitative survey of Black Country constructors and the forecast implication of Black Country skills crisis are confirmed. A framework for sustaining a generic Multiskilling barrier - inadequate training provision- is conceptualized.
| Item Type: | Conference Paper (Paper) |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | conceptual framework; construction; building services; multiskilling; skills shortage |
| Index terms: | building service, labour force, gross domestic product, productivity, strategy, survey, labour shortage, construction sector, conceptual framework |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, engineering systems, economic analysis, theoretical framing, management, economics, industry analysis |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Research Practice, Supply Chain Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 CTEA |
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