Mai, T P A; Doan, D T and Ghaffarianhoseini, A (2025) Utilizing multiskilled resources in addressing labor shortage issues in off-site construction: Benefits, challenges, and best practices. Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 151(4): 04025014, ISSN 0733-9364
Abstract
Although off-site construction (OSC) offers numerous advantages and is gaining market share, its widespread adoption is limited by a shortage of skilled labor. Multiskilling is valued in OSC as a solution to this shortage, providing significant cost benefits by enhancing production line efficiency. Despite ongoing discussions about labor shortages, there has been a considerable lack of research into the global presence of OSC's multiskilled workforce. This study employs a dual approach, integrating a systematic literature review (SLR) and semistructured interviews, to examine the use of multiskilled labor on addressing labor shortages and enhancing productivity in OSC projects. Interviewees from diverse backgrounds highlighted the substantial benefits of multiskilling, including enhanced efficiency, reduced costs, and accelerated project completion. However, they emphasized the drawbacks, such as manufacturing dependency, challenges in achieving high-level multiskills, resource management, and balancing training with project needs. The research also explores key considerations for effectively utilizing multiskilled resources, such as skills transfer, identifying transferable skills, commitment training, certification and industry standards and standardization. It provides actionable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders, suggesting that strategic planning and investment in training are crucial for successfully implementing multiskilling approaches, ultimately contributing to the sector's growth and efficiency.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | benefits; drawbacks; key considerations; labor shortages; multiskilled labor; off-site construction |
| Index terms: | certification, resource management, standardization, off-site construction, skilled labour, productivity, efficiency, presence, strategic planning, systematic literature review, labour shortage, commitment, interview, best practice, market share |
| Subjects: | research evaluation and metrics, performance management, psychology, market analysis, management, data collection methods, environmental science, economics, administrative processes, control systems, business, building construction, performance measurement |
| Topics: | Supply Chain Management, Quality Management, Human Resources, Construction Technology, Contract Administration, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Organizational Design, Project Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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