Barrows, M; Clevenger, C M; Abdallah, M and Wu, W (2020) Value of certifications when seeking construction employment. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 16(1), pp. 61-79. ISSN 1557-8771
Abstract
Construction graduates and professionals have many professional-development and educational options available. This study explores a range of certifications and evaluates their value to individuals seeking advertised construction management employment. The study analyzed 300 job postings for three US regions across construction industry sectors and job levels. Results indicate that employers prefer applicants to have certification(s) 16% of the time, with increasing preference at the more senior levels. Project Management Professional (PMP), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) credentials were the most frequently requested, with OSHA being most preferred at the junior level. Contributions of this research include (1) identification of observable and statistically significant trends for certifications on construction job postings and (2) development of a method to assess the relative value of various certifications. While findings quantifying value may or may not be generalizable, they demonstrate a method for comparison, as well as confirm that certifications, to a limited extent, are a differentiator in the construction hiring process, particularly at more senior levels. Findings are beneficial for recent graduates and current professionals seeking career advancement, and also inform training and academic programs striving to provide construction career-specific competencies.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | certification; construction education; construction management; job advancement; skill development |
| Index terms: | preference, program, career, construction education, skills development, certification, construction industry, project management, option, occupational safety and health, environmental design, employment |
| Subjects: | decision-making and reasoning, professional education, management, software systems, personnel development, project management theory and practice, professional development, occupational health and safety management, decision analysis, administrative processes, industry analysis, sustainability and energy |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Health and Safety, Project Management, Education, Information Management, Research Practice, Contract Administration, Digital Applications, Design Practice, Human Resources |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
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