A Skills Measurement Framework for the Construction Industry: A Case of Lusaka Province (original) (raw)
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A skills measurement framework for the construction industry in Zambia: a case of Lusaka province
The University of Zambia, 2019
Construction is characterised as being labour intensive and thus the continuous skills development will always be a matter of concern. The cyclic nature of the construction industry gives rise to skills mismatches which cause fluctuations in skills demand and supply. Investigating labour market conditions to assess skills demand and supply cycle of labour is a difficult task because of the scarcity or unavailability of aggregated local labour market information on the construction industry. This study investigated the issue of skills mismatches and developed a skills measurement framework to address it. The research design employed a mixed method approach to include both quantitative and qualitative data. A total of 162 firms consisting of 59 contractors, 80 consultants, 23 higher education institutions and 10 government institutions and local authorities in Lusaka Province whose core of business was inclined towards construction and development of transportation infrastructure were identified and used as the sample frame. Stratified random sampling was used to select respondents in the sample size. The method employed for data collection was the distribution of fifty (50) structured questionnaires and the conducting of three (03) semi-structured interviews with the aid of an interview guide. Quantitative data from the questionnaires was analysed using statistical software and qualitative analysis from interviews was analysed using content analysis. The most influential factors of supply and demand were; defined career paths, education and training requirements, salary scale and technological progression. Results revealed that the type of mismatches that existed were a skills gap and skills shortage. They revealed a shortage of Engineers and Construction Supervisors. Skills gaps were identified in the preparation of design specifications, estimation of project costs and preparing detailed cost plans, preparing construction method statements and technical specifications, as well technical and financial reporting. A sequential five-stage skills measurement framework structure was designed that investigated important aspects for skills development which are responsive to industry needs. The stages yield outputs which identify factors influencing skills demand and supply and skill competency requirements in construction, and assess the ability of the workforce meet the required skills competencies.
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The development of requisite skills in the right numbers to match the sector demands in construction within Zambia forms an essential aspect of the ability of construction companies to deliver projects efficiently. In Zambia the availability of these skills is influenced by a number of factors including the training provision which governs the supply of the skills, sector and sub-sector volume capacity which drives the demand for the skills, and other socio-cultural as well as public sector policy on skills development. The nature of the interaction between the two principal factors of demand and supply for a developing country such as Zambia is particularly relevant as these two factors are self-reinforcing and also impact on the other socio-politico cultural factors. The paper explores the interaction the two factors by examining the supply pattern of selected construction skills and how they reflect current skills needs (demand) of construction companies in Zambia. The scope of t...
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The construction industry in Zambia plays a pivotal role in the socio-economic development of the country. Being a labour intensive industry, competition between firms in construction depends on the quality of the workforce that companies employ. This paper presents a study that is intended to identify essential factors in the formulation and implementation of policies, training and retraining programmes tailored to deal effectively with the industry’s labour resource requirements. The labour resource audit should serve as a first step towards the process of planning for future construction skill requirements. The study is capturing official details such as head count for trend audits as well as underlying factors obtainable from further qualitative probing to explain any quantitative trends.
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This study investigates the effect of the technicians’ skills gaps and its impact on the building construction industry development in Nigeria. The technicians’ skills gaps are considered critical in terms of the industry performances particularly in the workforce efficiency. This has led to poor performances of the industry in its competences and productivity, which affected the nation’s economy. The paper critically assessed the technicians’ skills gaps and most appropriate training on the output of the industry performances. Hence, identify the factors that negate growth in technicians’ skills within the industry. The research method for this study is quantitative enquiry, through empirical literature and questionnaire survey. The questionnaire survey received 73% participants’ response rate. These Participants are Project Managers, Technicians and Trainers within the Nigerian construction industry in Abuja Metropolis. Collected data was analysed using content means and frequency...
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An Evaluation of Skilled Labour shortage in selected construction firms in Edo state, Nigeria
The study investigated skilled labour requirement in the construction industry of Edo State. The study aimed at assessing the current state of the construction industry's skilled workforce, causes and prevalence of skilled labour shortage and the effect of skilled labour shortage in construction project delivery. The method employed for collection of data includes distribution of structured questionnaires. The data collected were analyzed using Frequency tables, percentages, mean response analysis, relative importance index and cross tabulation. The research identified the most severe factors responsible for labour shortage to include; no clear carrier path, high mobility of construction workers and low wages. The study found that construction firms are not sending their skilled workforce for training, and that the skilled workers are unwilling to recommend the profession to their children. The research revealed that the construction firms were paying extra money for labour, and Schedule delay in their construction programmes as a result of skilled labour shortage. The study found aging workforce in the construction trades sampled, and that the entrance of young people into the construction trades was very low.
SA Journal of Human Resource Management, 2016
Orientation: Construction human resource management.Research purpose: The study examines the skilled labour supply in the South African construction industry and determines whether there is a relationship between trade certification, quality of work output and scarce labour skills.Motivation for the study: The rationale for the investigation is based on the view of scholars that a skilled labour shortage is preponderant in the South African construction industry even though there is a high level of youth unemployment in South Africa and that the perceived skills shortage contributes to a decrease in productivity and product quality.Research design, approach and method: The paper reviews relevant literature and employs a mixed method research approach in collecting empirical data from contracting companies within the Western Cape Province of South Africa that are listed on the Construction Industry Development Board contractor register.Main findings: The study demonstrated that there...
The study investigated the causes of construction industry skilled labor shortage and training programs in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. It identified and examined the skilled labor shortage in selected trades, factors responsible for the skilled labor shortage, and factors affecting apprenticeship enrolment in the various training programs in Benin City. Data were sourced through the administration of 180 structured questionnaires on construction professionals, craftsmen, and trainee providers. The information elicited from the returned 146 questionnaires (81% return rate) were analyzed using percentages, frequency, mean score, and relative severity index. Findings revealed a shortage of skilled labor in the study area (85.7% of craftsmen, 60.8% of professionals) especially among tillers and POP plasterers. This was due majorly to diminishing craftsperson training program (Manager's RSI=0.796, Craftsmen RSI=0.756), the desire of workmen to make quick money (Manager's RSI=0.674, Craftsmen RSI=0.836), and low wage (Manager's RSI=0.738, Craftsmen RSI=0.862). Also, low apprentice enrolment was a predominant challenge (Craftsmen MS=4.10, Benin Technical College MS=3.78), majorly due to the quest to make quick money through Motorcycle (okada) riding as means of transportation and internet fraud (Craftsmen MS=4.80, Technical college MS=4.48), traveling abroad (Craftsmen MS=4.76, Technical college MS=4.43) and low wages (Craftsmen MS=4.39, Technical college MS=3.91). The study concluded that there was a shortage of skilled labor (especially among tillers) because most potential workmen are impatient to learn a trade; eager to make quick money. The study thus recommends that the government should initiate more crafts persons training programs and subcontractors should improve on the current wage paid to apprentices working or training under them.
Assessing knowledge and skills gap for construction 4.0 in a developing economy
Journal of Public Affairs, 2020
Most developing economies are plagued by a low supply of skilled human capital, which is a known driver of economic growth and development. The introduction of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) concept to the construction industry referred to as Construction 4.0 has introduced new technologies that require an increase in knowledge and skills requirement for workers. This comes with a host of challenges for developing countries. To this end, the current study focuses on Nigeria, which is the largest economy in Africa and a fast developing country. The study therefore seeks to explore the knowledge and skills gap among professionals within the Nigerian construction industry. This was achieved via a structured survey research design to elicit information from professionals in the construction industry. A convenience sampling technique was used to select 136 respondents. Data collected from the questionnaire were analysed using mean score, Pearson chi-square and t test of SPSS V23. The findings revealed a moderate knowledge level of Construction 4.0 technologies and a low level of training among professionals. Also, the result shows a high skills gap in human machine communication, data analytics and cyber security. The study recommends the promotion of human capital development to enhance the implementation of Construction 4.0. This can be achieved via a review and redesign of existing curricula in educational institutions and commitment on the part of management and professional bodies to training and re-skilling of the workforce.