Oyegoke, A S; McDermott, P; Aouad, G and Cleary, M (2009) Skill competency development strategies by a contractor. Proceedings of Institution of Civil Engineers: Management, Procurement and Law, 162(3), pp. 121-130. ISSN 17514312
Abstract
Construction skill is one of the vital aspects of construction work which is growing in importance due to skill gaps and skill shortages during different economic cycles. The aim of this study was to investigate competence development strategies by a traditional construction company within its own pool of skill resources and among its supply chain members. The study was carried out via literature review, empirical studies involving a focus study, analysis of documentary evidence supported by unstructured interviews and a report of skill development/supply chain conference. The study demonstrates how longterm skill development can be achieved through: (a) strategic capacity planning which allows high retention, continuous training, and balanced construction demand and contractor's supply capacity over the long term; (b) updating and upgrading the knowledge base of the supply chain through conferences and training schemes; (c) strategic investment in the workforce through training, vocational and higher degrees; and (d) acquaintance with different sources of finance. This study will assist small traditional firms in building competencies in skill development and improvement. It will assist an international audience who may face similar issue with their construction firms.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | education and training; recruitment |
| Index terms: | traditional construction, retention, conference, construction demand, empirical study, construction work, economic cycle, recruitment, education and training, knowledge base, interview, skill shortage, literature review, face, strategy, skills development, upgrading, construction firm, competence, evidence, strategic investment |
| Subjects: | heritage and conservation, professional education, market analysis, research methods, business management, operations management, psychology, organization, strategic management, evaluation and assessment methods, research dissemination and communication, information systems, personnel development, management, financial and cost management, data analysis and analytics, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Education, Project Management, Organizational Design, Human Resources, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Research Practice, Business Strategy, Cost Management |
| 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