A guiding model for developing construction training programmes focusing on productivity and performance improvement for different qualification levels

Abstract

Purpose The effectiveness of the construction industry highly depends on the quality of the work practices, education and training. Based on the industry’s need to strengthen the productivity and performance improvement scopes in the construction education/training practices, this study aims to develop a guiding tool for designing new training programmes in different qualification levels considering the industry’s near-future challenges. Design/methodology/approach The study methodology encompassed literature reviews, experts’ discussions/reviews and problem-based communication approaches with qualitative methods to obtain a set of expected competency outcomes (COs) for each qualification level. The necessary mapping frameworks were used to display the cross section of each CO. Findings The study has presented a guiding model comprising three categories of qualification levels, where each consists of 12 COs with the mapping outcomes against learning domains of a conceptual framework. The guiding model also displays the detailed steps to develop detailed curriculums for different qualification levels of training. Research limitations/implications Though the scope of the study was limited to the Sri Lankan context, the findings can be beneficial to many other countries in similar scenarios. Practical implications Overall study outcomes are expected to make an impact on the industry’s reskilling and upskilling practices resulting in a considerable level of improvement in the quality and productivity of work operations. Originality/value The experts’ reviews highlight the developed model as a valuable tool that provides a platform for upgrading the construction education and training practices based on the industry’s near-future circumstances in productivity and performance improvement practices, also revealing its future influences in training accreditation processes.

Investigating and determining the crucial construction site supervisory competencies influencing the effectiveness of building construction project activities

“…, 2011; Adi and Ni'am, 2012), Kuwait (Jarkas and Bitar, 2012), Nigeria (Nwosu, 2018), Qatar (Jarkas et al. , 2012), Sri Lanka (Manoharan et al. , 2022a) and Vietnam (Tuan and Tam, 2019).…”

“…Taking on the top 10 rankings of competencies in each category compared to past studies, most of those were found that substantially influenced the efficiency of construction activities in many nations, namely, Australia (Hughes and Thorpe, 2014), Egypt (Montaser et al, 2018), India (Shashank et al, 2014;Dixit et al, 2017;Murari and Joshi, 2019), Indonesia (Soekiman et al, 2011;Adi and Ni'am, 2012), Kuwait (Jarkas and Bitar, 2012), Nigeria (Nwosu, 2018), Qatar , Sri Lanka (Manoharan et al, 2022a) and Vietnam (Tuan and Tam, 2019). Taking on the methods for enhancing the critical competency elements of supervisory workers in construction, the relevant actions were identified through industry consultation discussions and literary analysis on the characteristics of those competencies and the current/future scopes of the industry practices.…”

“…These studies emphasise the need for polishing the role of labour supervision with new skills in order to implement beneficial methods for managing labour operations at worksites. To add new characteristics to a job role, it is crucial to note that education and training components should be well-connected to regular work tasks (Manoharan et al, 2022a). Accordingly, this study highlights the necessity for the construction sector in different developing nations to determine the significant supervisory competencies affecting labour efficiency in construction.…”

“…These studies emphasise the need for polishing the role of labour supervision with new skills in order to implement beneficial methods for managing labour operations at worksites. To add new characteristics to a job role, it is crucial to note that education and training components should be well-connected to regular work tasks (Manoharan et al. , 2022a).…”

Assessing the construction site supervisory attributes in effectuating mathematical theories and applications to construction operations

“…Following the end of the protracted conflict of the "Elam war", the Sri Lankan construction sector saw tremendous expansion, drawing sizeable investments and employment opportunities connecting with various governmental and non-governmental bodies. As a result, the nation is currently undertaking a wide range of infrastructure development projects (Manoharan et al, 2022). However, the above-highlighted aspects have been the major causes that resulted in construction enterprises facing productivity-related problems in numerous infrastructure development projects in Sri Lanka (Kumara et al, 2018).…”