Building production management competencies for building students: academia and construction industry perspectives

Abstract

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

Building technology training and student work readiness

“…This competency is to translate the drawings into physical structures. These findings align with studies by Gimba (2011), Awere et al (2016), and Obaju et al (2022) that the ability to interpret architectural drawings is one of the most crucial competencies and employability skills for building technology graduates. This competency area is critical to the Building professional because it will enable them to determine whether the building is buildable in reality or not.…”

“…Building Technology Obaju et al (2022) Setting out different types of buildings, Interpretation of architectural drawings and specifications, Tendering and contract processes, construction of various building components and Effective communication on the construction site.…”

An Evaluation of Built Environment Students’ Training in Building Maintenance (A Case Study of Federal Polytechnics in Osun State, Nigeria)

“…One of the ways to promote the awareness of building maintenance practice is by evaluating the training of building maintenance courses among students who will eventually practice it in the construction industry. This vital because the quality of training acquired by students will in turn affect their performance in the construction industry [7]. Also, the essence of course evaluation is to improve the efficiency of course delivery by offering timely feedback to the course lecturers/instructors.…”