The study examined the competencies required by building students for building production management and the barriers to their competency in the practice of building production management in the construction industry. Using a quantitative research method, a total of 302 construction professionals and 35 building programme lecturers completed a set of questionnaires survey. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as mean score and Mann Whitney test. Study findings identified setting out of different building types, interpretation of architectural drawings and specifications, tendering and contract processes, and construction of various components and effective communication on construction sites as the most significant competencies for building production management practice in the construction industry. However, the study discovered a significant difference in the competencies for building production management practice between construction professionals and building lecturers. Also, the study identified poor institutional and industry collaboration, underfunding of institutions, insufficient equipment and infrastructure for training, and theoretical training rather than practical training as the major barriers to the competency of building production management practice in the construction industry. The study suggested a more vital collaboration between the construction industry with tertiary institutions in needs assessment, funding, provision of infrastructures and involvement in the practical training of students

The purpose of this study is to examine the readiness of Building technology graduates for the construction industry from four selected Polytechnics in Southwestern Nigeria. With a random sampling technique, a sample of 170 Higher National Diploma Building technology graduates was collected to assess their competence areas in readiness for a future in the construction industry. Results were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (Kruskal-Willis H test). The findings of the study revealed that the level of preparedness of Building graduates for the construction industry is encouraging but shows a declining trend in practical capabilities in carrying out building surveys, preparation of site reports and preparation of reliable estimates for materials, labor and cost of construction works. The study results also presented no significant difference (r>0.05) in the competency of Building technology graduates based on their institutional training in three competency areas (capability to carry setting out of all kinds of buildings, understanding and interpreting structural drawings, understanding, and interpreting architectural drawings). However, the study also presented a significant difference (r<0.005) in seven competency areas of Building technology graduates based on their institutional training. The study recommends curricula restructuring to focus more on practical training and professional collaboration with the industry.