Albalawi, R K (2023) Comprehensive analysis of the multiskilling strategy among craft professionals in the construction industry. PhD thesis, University of Colorado at Boulder, USA.
Abstract
Purpose: To explore detailed dynamics of the multiskilling labor strategy as it has evolved over the past two decades as a possible solution to alleviate the labor shortage in the construction sector.Problem: The strategy has been adopted by many organizations and individuals in the US construction workforce, yet there is no existing study investigating the level of actual certification levels of the multiskilled craft professionals across multiple trades and how multiskilled craft professionals evolve. Moreover, limitations exist in understanding the motivation behind becoming multiskilled and measuring the competency level among multiskilled craft professionals. A good amount of research into understanding the contribution of the multiskilled craft professionals is a necessity that will shed light on its impact of the shortage of the workforce on the construction sectors. Background: Since the 1980s, the construction sector has experienced a nationwide shortage of skilled craft professionals. To alleviate this problem, the multiskilling strategy was introduced as a possible solution to reduce the labor shortage that is confronting the US construction industry. The strategy involves training and certification of craft professionals to perform more tasks across multiple trades in addition to their primary duties in the workplace. There is a need to assess and evaluate current levels of multiskilling craft professionals and compare it to single-skilled professionals for successful implementation. Intellectual Merit: This study intends to address the problems of the construction sectors through the following objectives: • Measure the level of certification achieved among multiskilled craft professionals; • Comprehend how multiskilled craft professionals have evolved in the last decade; • Examine the factors that motivate individuals to adopt the multiskilling strategy; and • Examine the competency levels, including the understanding of skill progression and conditions, among single-skilled and multi-skilled craft professionals; This dissertation offers a comprehensive understanding of the multiskilling strategy by focusing on four different data sources, including the following: 638,469 exam completions between 2005 to 2020 from the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and its National Craft Assessment and Certification Program (NCACP), last access to the data 2020;• RT-370 Craft Survey: Online survey with a sample size of 2,740 construction o craft professionals collected from all 50 states, 2021; • University of Texas at Austin 2000 Center for Construction Industry Studies Survey: Sample size of over 1100 craft professionals across the US, 2000; and • Interviews with multiskilled craft professionals within the construction industry sector from Northern Colorado.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Goodrum, P |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | education; motivation; workforce; certification; construction education; training; sample size; professional; interview |
| Index terms: | becoming, sample size, labour shortage, dynamics, dissertation, construction industry, implementation, certification, interview, motivation, survey, strategy, program, construction education, duty, construction sector |
| Subjects: | research design and methodology, data collection methods, software systems, economics, management, systems engineering, administrative processes, industry analysis, research dissemination and communication, contractual role, contractual arrangements, psychology, philosophical process, professional education |
| Topics: | Digital Applications, Human Resources, Contract Administration, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Supply Chain Management, Education, Engineering Principles, Procurement |
| Descriptive scope: | 5 PCTEA |
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