Covid-19: Employer Demand from Quantity Surveyor’s Graduates towards Employability Skills

Abstract

Employability skills are a set of skills that have been identified as a fundamental element for graduate to secure and maintain jobs. Due to COVID-19, many people have lost their jobs including experienced employees. Thus, it is predicted that future graduates would face difficulties in securing employment. This is because long before the pandemic of COVID-19 occurred, the issue of unemployment among graduates already existed. Now with the pandemic, the situation could get worse. Therefore, objective of this study was to examine quantity surveyor graduate employability skills that are demanded by quantity surveyor consultant firm in the pandemic COVID-19 situation. This research employed a quantitative approach. A set of questionnaires has been distributed to registered quantity surveyor consultant firms in Selangor. The findings revealed that most employers would prefer to have a candidate with soft skills more than hard skills. Graduates are required to have soft skills such as Being capable to adapt with changes, having a positive attitude, and being flexible. However, that does not mean that hard skill or technical skill is not important in quantity surveyor securing a job. It is just that it is less demanded as all graduates are expected to already have the skills. The findings are useful for improving quantity surveyor graduates' understanding of the employability skills perceived as being most important in seeking a job. For further research, it would be good to expand the study to include the contractor's perspective since this study only focuses on consultant firms. This is due to the fact that the role of quantity surveyors in consultant firms and contractors are different.

Overcoming Challenges Faced by Quantity Surveying’s Graduates In Adopting Skills For Future Employment: Employer’s Perspective

“…On the other hand, Johari and Jha (2021) underscore that enhancing listening skills can boost construction labour productivity (CLP). This is also supported by Mustapa et al (2022) that indicate employers prioritize candidates with strong communication skills.…”

“…The overall assessment of soft skills primarily centres on the communication prowess of QS graduates Arowoiya & Akinradewo (2022). Effective communication skills are essential to resolved conflicts and secure employment as employers prioritize candidates with strong communication skills (Suarta et al, 2017;Ting et al, 2017;Mustapa et al, 2022). Besides, higher-order thinking skills are also essential as they encompass problem solving, analytical thinking, decision-making, and critical thinking (Latisha Shafie & Surina Nayan, 2010).…”

“…Problem-solving ability involves recognizing, analysing, and integrating with critical thinking (Kar, 2011;Islam et al, 2013). Additionally, Mustapa et al (2022) assert that employers consistently prioritize candidates who demonstrate a high level of higher-order thinking skills during the recruitment process.…”

“…Teamwork skills are crucial for QS graduates as they involve the ability to collaborate toward shared goals and objectives (Chai, 2017). Teamwork also encompasses building relationships from diverse cultural backgrounds and respecting different perspectives to increase productivity within the workplace (Rahmat et al, 2018;Mustapa et al, 2022). Additionally, having leadership skills involves being accountable for the task given, and directing and coordinating the team to ensure the team will not stray from the intended objectives (Chai, 2017).…”

“…This is supported by Rahmat et al, (2018) who state that employers will seek out graduates who can work together with other team members. Additionally, Mustapa et al (2022) emphasize that strong teamwork skills especially the ability to collaborate effectively are crucial for boosting workplace productivity.…”