Assessment of current and future critical skills in the South African construction industry

Abstract

PurposeThe role of skills development in attaining productivity and competitiveness in industry and global level cannot be overemphasized in the construction sector. The study aims to evaluate the critical skills needed in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative study was conducted, and data were collected using questionnaires distributed amongst construction professionals including project managers, construction managers, quantity surveyors, architects and engineers based in South Africa. The data amassed were analysed to output descriptive statistics. The skills were ranked according to the level of priority as perceived by the respondents.FindingsFindings from the empirical data analysis established that the critical skills needed within the construction industry at present and in the future are health and safety competence, decision-making, leadership and problem-solving skills. On the other hand, public speaking, big data mining and Internet of things (IoT) were not considered to be critical.Practical implicationsThese findings indicated that even with technological advancements, managerial skills are needed to ensure that projects are delivered successfully.Originality/valueThe study sheds more light on skills considered critical at present and which might be relevant in the future. The study signposts the importance of critical skills to an individual and the entire construction industry. Efforts can be made to ensure that relevant critical skills for high output are emphasized and planning can be made for future and predicted construction industry workforce needs.

Competence of project management professionals according to type of project: a systematic literature review

“…The following competences were not mentioned for the PMCDF guide: Open to New Experiences [12], [35], [77], [92]; Altruism [31], [37], [70], [71]; Charisma [70], Change Management [31], [77]; Certification [31], [71], [73]; Coaching [12], [55], [92]- [94]; Evaluative Competence [76], Environmental Awareness and Inventory Management [77], [92], [95], [96]; Courage [31], [70]; Curiosity [12], [55] [93]; Entrepreneurship [75]- [77]; Configuration Management [70], [77]; Construction Management [55], [77]; Health management and if security [12], [71], [77], [97], [98]; Claims management [98]; Marketing Skills, Recruitment Skills and Operations Research Skills [76]; Information Technology Skills [70], [71], [91], [92],…”

“…Moradi et al [14] add to it the fulfillment of promises to complete the agreed work. Among the competences not mentioned in the PMDCF guide are: Coaching [112]; Configuration Management [70], [77]; Manage Ambiguity [56]; Information Technology Skills [70], [71], [91], [92], [95], [96]; Multitasking [78]; Analytical Thinking [16], [32], [55], [65], [70] and Critical Thinking [55], [94], [102]. In the IPMA guide, it is not mentioned the competence Critical Thinking [55], [94], [102].…”

“…In this type of category, 64 competences were identified, 52 of which are common to the PMCDF, ICB and APM guides, presented in Table 15. The competence gaps found in the PMCDF guide are: Open to New Experiences [77], [12], [92], [35]; Self-taught [42]; Certification [7], [31], [71], [74]; Conscientiousness [18]; Curiosity [12], [93], [55]; Change Management [118]; Manage Ambiguity [56]; Marketing Skills [76]; Information Technology Skills [95], [96], [70], [71], [92], [91]; Innovation [51], [52]; Multitasking [78]; Analytical Thinking [16], [70], [32], [65], [55].…”

Ergonomics in construction robotics and human-robot teams in the AEC domain: a review

“…The complexity and labour-intensive nature of the construction industry require human workers to exceed physical capability resulting in sustained physical injuries, which impacts industry productivity, losses in time, money and safety issues as spurred emerging adoption of robotics for construction processes [1,2,3]. The industry's economic significance makes it essential and necessary to optimise productivity and reduce the incidence of accidents by leveraging the potential of emerging innovations to resolve these challenges [4,5]. Construction robotics is being examined enthusiastically in design and research due to its potential to reduce the number of works, drive productivity, ensure safety, and avail required skills amidst the increasing age of construction workers and the decline in young workers entering the built industry [6].…”

BIM Implementation Plan in Building Works in the Design Stage in the Provincial Municipality of Puno

“…Statistics were made on the status of contract works tendered by the Municipality from 2016 to 2020, with the term extensions in most of these projects as a pathology [8]. In order to have results of the current management of the BIM methodology that the officials and servers of the Provincial Municipality of Puno have [9], I use the method of the Survey of 17 people between officials and public servants who work in the areas related to design, construction, operation and works maintenance [10]. Once the current process map in the Provincial Municipality of Puno has been identified, a mapping of design processes with BIM implementation is proposed, working in 6 phases [11], working with inputs, processes and outputs in each of the phases, having as results plans, compatible technical specifications and a proposal for concurrent engineering meetings with those involved in the design stage [12].…”