Management training needs of Nigerian indigenous contractors and their preferred training delivery systems

This study investigated the management training needs and the preferred training delivery systems of owner-managers of small/medium sized indigenous construction firms in South West Nigeria. It also identified the major difficulties experienced in the industry by this group of contractors and the support programmes they perceive as most important to improving their performance. Two sets of questionnaire survey instruments were designed to be used by contractors and professionals and 200 questionnaires were distributed to samples of respective groups selected by non-random sampling techniques. The average response rate was 35%. The responses were analysed using the Stat view statistical package on Apple Macintosh computer. The Spearman Rank Order Correlation coefficients between contractors and professionals were either substantial or very high on support programmes, training needs and delivery systems items. Though contractors and professionals do not agree on all the items constituting problems to contractors in the industry, further analyses showed that they strongly agree that the most critical problems are: uncertainties in supplies and prices of materials, access to capital, obtaining regular work and obtaining interim payments from clients. The most desired support programmes are those that will alleviate these critical problems. The contractors sampled perceived management training as very important to their development. The categories of training topics most desired are accounting and financial management, entrepreneurial studies, construction project management and estimating and tendering. The most preferred training suppliers are educational institutions and professional bodies and the most preferred trainers are construction consultants and academics. Participative training methods and other methods involving collaborative experiential exercises are the most preferred. Training is most preferred to be continuous, once weekly for a period of time and for a whole day session, preferably in the rainy season. No statistical significant relationship could be found to exist between personal and organisational characteristics of the contractors sampled and their perception of the importance of training, training needs and preferred training delivery systems. Despite limitations of the study in respect of sampling techniques and sample size, the study provides new insights to facilitate development of more effective contractor training programmes for small/medium contractors in Nigeria.