Models of training needs assessment for the Iraqi construction industry

Construction companies are the engines that drive a nation’s economy and must train their workforce effectively to enhance their performance. It has been recognised that training is the most effective tool for improving the performance and efficiency of the construction workforce; practitioners, academics, government agencies, professional institutions and clients of the construction industry all agree. In recognition of this, the industry must endeavour to provide a truly professional service or product, which is qualitatively superior and gives value for money. The on-going skills deficiency in the Iraqi construction industry calls for urgent remedies, of which training is one solution which is becoming an important issue in this sector at present. The aim of the present research is to develop models that will help to assess skills and knowledge needs for the Iraqi construction industry. This research is also concerned with finding an appropriate body of skills and knowledge related to the Iraqi construction industry, based on what construction site managers, project managers, civil engineers and architects actually do; how they perceive the importance of such tasks now and in the future. This study explains all of the issues concerning TNA practices in terms of how TNA is conducted, i.e. , how training needs are assessed and how assessment is delivered. This study also investigates all the drivers and challenges that face TNA activities. The perception of the importance of the TNA outcome is also considered. This research is mainly focused on construction engineers: site managers, civil engineers, project leaders and architects; their attitudes, perceptions and viewpoints towards the research objectives. The data presented is derived from a study of 239 Iraqi construction employees and subsequently analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) software. This study reveals that the level of adoption of organizational training needs assessment procedures among training managers in the selected organizations is moderately high. However, the level of adoption of occupational and individual training needs assessment is lower. Most training managers are using surveys or interviews as methods to solicit information for training needs assessment purposes. The job analysis method is occasionally used in conducting training needs assessment, while measurement of the knowledge and skills of individuals is seldom done. It is also indicated that the respondents agree that training should be focused mostly on project management skills and site management administration knowledge; priority must be given to training needs through performance appraisal and site visits. The author thinks that the findings of this study might face an uphill struggle, in trying to get it accepted and then taken on-aboard by the construction industry. Nevertheless, there are strong and powerful signs (or at least a very strong indicators) of economic improvement in Iraq, that makes this study an important and extremely relevant lever, in the process of such economic improvement. To the best of the researcher’s knowledge, this study will be the first of its kind in the Iraqi construction industry to be undertaken. The findings will enrich the existing literature on the quality of training programmes in the construction industry and fill the gaps in knowledge of studies on Iraq in particular. This study makes a contribution to knowledge on both the academic and practical levels. It raises the general understanding of the current TNA practices and management in the Iraqi construction industry. It has brought together a large body of knowledge on construction management problems in Iraq, TNA in Arab countries and combined a variety of schools of thought into one integrated model. This research integrates, refines and extends the empirical work conducted in the field of TNA in Iraq, since until the present there has been a lack of such studies in this country. It is hoped that the outcome of this research will lead to a better understanding of the need for training construction engineers in Iraq and will encourage other researchers to extend this study through further work.