SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES FOR SURVIVAL IN THE MODERN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVE IN NIGERIA
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES FOR SURVIVAL IN THE MODERN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY: STUDENTS' PERSPECTIVE IN NIGERIA
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Date
2021-04
Authors
ABUBAKAR, Mu'awiya ZAILANI, Bcllo Mahmud ABDULLAHI, Muhammad DODO, Mansir
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Abstract
The nature and dynamism of the construction industry has made it one of the
most competitive industries. Changes due to technological advancement and
the need for innovation has caused a paradigm shift in the nature of skills and
competencies needed for sin-vival in the industry. Studies noted a gradual drift
of job opportunities in the industry from knowledge based to competency based
with no reciprocating change in the training of students in the built
environment Programmes. This creates a huge gap between the competencies
possessed by graduates of the built environment Programmes and the
requirements of the industry. This paper assessed the perception of final year
students in the built environment Programmes on the importance of key skills
and competencies needed to survive in the industry, as well as the extent to
which they possess such skills and competencies. A quantitative research
approach was adopted, with questionnaires distributed to elicit data from the
respondents. The data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential
statistics. Self-confidence, qualitative reasoning, and self-awareness were
found to be the most relevant competencies for survival in the construction
industry. Whereas, self-confidence, time consciousness and collaboration skills
were found to be the most acquired competencies amongst the students. The
findings of the study give a comparative view on the relevant competencies in
the construction industry and the acquired competencies by graduates of the
built environment Programmes. The study provides an insight into the gap
between the required and acquired competencies, and recommends that the
built environment Programmes improve their efforts towards ensuring active
participation of students in practical industry cases which will improve the
student's capabilities and provide graduates with requisite skills for survival
in the industry
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African Jounal of Built Environment Research