RETRAINING OF PROFESSIONAL BUILDERS IN THE NIGERIAN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

ABSTRACT

This work studied the retraining of professional builders in the Nigerian construction industry. The study identified the key areas of professional practices of a builder, the skills and competencies required by professional builder, the means of developing professional builders for continuous improvement and benefits of continuing professional development for a professional builder. A survey research method was adopted after a literature search has been done on the subject. A total of forty (40) questionnaires were distributed by hand to professional builders in various areas of practice in Enugu and Anambra State. A 100% questionnaire response was achieved. Data obtained from the questionnaire were presented and analyzed using frequency tables and percentages. Quantitative and descriptive analysis were also done, while mean score index was used to find the mean score values of the responses of the respondents based on five (5) point likert scale. The result was used to evaluate the answers to the research questions and objectives. It was found that professional builders have the capacities to practice in variety

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1   BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.

The act of Building can be traced back to the biblical creations. The professionalization of Building materialized when the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) was established in UK in 1934. Over a century later, specifically in1967, the profession of Building was inaugurated in Nigeria by the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), as the first Oversea centre of the UK Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). However, the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) gained its autonomy from the CIOB in May, 1970. After many years of successful and recognized activities, the Institute gained its statutory backing of the profession by obtaining the Builders (Registration, etc). Degree No. 45 of 1989 (now Act Cap B13, LFN, 2004), from the Federal Government of Nigeria.

The scope of training a professional builder and the study of building programme is contained under the current minimum education standard approved by the National University Commission (NUC) and Nigeria Institute of Building (NIOB) and Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) guidelines.

The need for retraining of professional builders is occasioned as a result of constant change in technology, practice and management of building production and construction industry in general. In response to this, Ademoroti (1997) sees the need to establish a culture of learning through study and experience, self improvement and commitment to enhance the building industry’s products and services. When counted the numerous importance of construction industry to the nations economy (Wahab, 2005, Akanni, 2001, Husseini, 1991), one will see the need for adequate training and retraining of professional builders in the construction industry.

According to Kontagora (1991), the failure of the construction in this country including the professions, depends on their education and training of all levels, if contracting is to gain prestige and build up a properly trained labour force. He further suggested that an area that should be examined is the issue of continuing professional development (CPD) which should now becomes the focus in the construction industry. Then to keep abreast of new developments in technology and management and also broaden the knowledge of building professionals, a mix of work experience, and continuing education and training is of utmost importance.

1.2   STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

According to Obiegbu (2001), human resources for the construction industry appear in many varieties, styles, sizes and other attributes; some are of professional status; some technical; while others are skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled. Any attempt to neglect the development and continuous existence of any of these is detrimental to the overall success of construction industry.

The Nigeria today construction industry has been regarded as an avenue for human tragedies and losses. The sequential incessant of building collapse all over the nation, the poor quality of building works, the high rate of litigation and increasingly clients dissatisfaction all are evidence of technological and managerial mismatch in the construction industry.

Vishwakarma (2008) observed that due to globalizing economy, students pursuing technical degree programs including those related to competence in construction industry, may not be adequately educated to meet the demand that will be expected out of their profession during the next decade in the on going changing scenario worldwide.

Wahab (2005) and Ogunbiyi (2004) noted that Nigerian construction industry is being dominated by foreign players, leaving the ingenuous contractors with virtually nothing. This can be attributed to technological and managerial deficiency of the Nigerian construction professionals. It is on this premise that the construction industry council in 2006, acknowledge and provides the guidance on continuing professional Development (CPD) for individual professionals. Their employers, and the professional Institutions in the construction industry, hence the need for retraining of building professionals in the Nigerian construction industry.