Windapo, A; Matshidze, L and Alade, K (2025) Artisan development in the AEC industry: strategies for attracting, transitioning and retaining workers. Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers: Management, Procurement and Law, 178(3), pp. 151-159. ISSN 17514304
Abstract
This paper investigates the prospects for artisan development in South Africa's Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Despite the vital economic contributions of this industry, attracting new entrants, aiding their transition into the workforce, and retaining skilled artisans remain significant challenges. The research focuses on strategies for addressing these issues, specifically within the context of South Africa's Institute for National Development of Learnerships, Employment Skills, and Labour Assessments. A critical literature review and qualitative interviews with key stakeholders revealed insights into existing policy implementation, the quality and relevance of training programmes, and the recognition of artisans' prior learning. The research findings underscore the urgent need for robust and inclusive skills development strategies, recognizing prior learning as a key intervention and improved advocacy for artisan professions. Establishing clear targets, enhancing digitization processes, and strengthening institutional roles are vital steps towards addressing artisans' skill shortages in South Africa's AEC industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | INDLELA; productivity; skills development; skills gap; UN SDG 4: quality education; UN SDG 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure worker retention; workforce transition |
| Index terms: | retention, strategy, skills development, literature review, strengthening, interview, skill shortage, profession, South Africa, employment, policy implementation, programme, productivity |
| Subjects: | project controls, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods, policy studies, structural engineering, Geography, institututions, management, personnel development |
| Topics: | Research Practice, Time Control, Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Roles and Professions, Geographical Context, Governance, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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