Using Skills Gap Analysis in Construction Management to Stimulate a Demand led Model of Curriculum

The broad spectrum of the construction management discipline and the depth of career opportunities open to its graduates creates the need to possess a competitive portfolio of knowledge and skills. In the multidisciplinary environment of the modern construction sector a graduate must be able to
demonstrate not only a technical competence but a depth of underpinning skills to effectively manage a project. This paper investigates if the skills and knowledge areas obtained by graduates undertaking Construction Management programmes at Higher Education level are aligned to those skills and
knowledge areas that industry recognise as their priority and how competent fresh graduates are within the workplace. The data, captured for the development of a Euro-wide curriculum model questioned 136 Built Environment academics, recent graduates and senior industry figures via means of in-depth interviews, questionnaires and a focus group. The aim of the Tech Transfer project where this research was undertaken was to develop a curriculum responsive to the needs of industry. The research undertaken for the project developed a methodology in which to address a means not only of identify where the skills gaps occurred but how commonly these were perceived amongst graduates, managers and academics. Having identified the gaps the paper provides a means of measurement to present which are the most identifiable gaps of knowledge and skills. The paper acknowledges the need to re-balance the construction management curriculum between core knowledge and “softer” skills.