Key Competencies for U.S. Construction Graduates: Industry Perspective

Abstract

This study examined U.S. construction industry perceptions regarding key competencies for construction graduates using a survey of recruiters for over 100 construction companies located in the eastern United States. The survey asked recruiters to rate 14 key competencies for construction graduates that were identified as important in the literature: ethical issues, problem-solving skills, interpersonal skills, leadership, adaptability, collaborative skills, safety issues, interdisciplinary application, practical awareness, technical skills, computer skills, estimating/scheduling skills, communication, and environmental awareness. A descriptive statistics and exploratory factor analysis revealed that ethical issues, problem-solving skills, and interpersonal skills were considered by recruiters to be key significant competencies for construction graduates, whereas communication and environmental awareness were ranked lowest. Clustering the 14 key competencies using factor analysis identified four classes of competencies for construction graduates: (1) general competency, (2) affective competency, (3) cognitive competency, and (4) technical competency. These key competencies were compared with accreditation content areas for two major accrediting bodies of construction degrees, and gaps were identified for further investigation.