The current shortage of artisans in the Nigerian house construction sector has constrained the productivity of the sector and exacerbated the nation‟s housing problem. The persistent neglect of the artisan training system has negatively impacted on the stock of artisans available for house construction projects. Nigeria‟s large and fast-growing population of over 140 million with an estimated growth rate of 3.2 percent has engendered increased investment in shelter provision; especially by individuals and families due to fast rising housing rentals- mainly in the urban centres. Past policies have not adequately addressed the realities of the skills crisis occasioned by inadequate and neglected apprenticeship training and poorly developed vocational education and training systems. The fallout of this is manifested in the difficulties faced by developers in sourcing suitably qualified and experienced artisans for house construction projects. In response to this challenge, an upsurge of migrant artisans and craftsmen from neighbouring West African nations like Togo, Benin Republic and Ghana to Nigeria has occurred in the recent times. They were attracted by building contracting firms to fill the gap created by inadequate artisan supply that is currently being experienced locally. This development is totally unacceptable as it exacerbates the overarching socio-economic problems in Nigeria, especially the already high unemployment rate which is estimated to be 23.9 percent. This study has consequently investigated the inadequate training of house construction artisans in South Western Nigeria; evolving interventions and developing a strategic model for improving the artisan training system to ensure an adequate and sustainable artisan supply in the house construction sector. The model incorporates best practices, rethinking strategies and integrated approaches in mitigating the identified challenges. The model is underpinned by reviewed literature and empirical findings. Quantitative surveys and interviews were utilised as the data sources. The research findings show that the factors which negatively impact on the artisan training system in the house construction sector include: the poor image of artisans in society; lack of recruitment strategies for attracting potential artisans; inadequate policy framework for training and employment; a faulty and rigid National Qualification Framework (NQF); the non-participation of employers in training; a poor funding mechanism; a weak regulatory framework and corrupt practices in training administration. Recommendations for addressing the inadequate training of artisans include education policy reforms to give priority to vocational education; a new regime of funding for vocational education and training; a review of the National Qualification Framework to integrate the vocational colleges with the university system; a reform of the regulatory framework; public re-orientation on the societal image of the artisans; adoption of a new approach of public- private partnership in artisan training; the provision of incentives schemes to attract potential artisans and the appropriation of the proposed model for an integrated approach to addressing the challenges.

In recent years, the construction industry has shown a steady decline in productivity and worker morale, while experiencing an increase in absenteeism (Maloney, 1991; CII, 1982). This has had a tremendous economic and motivational impact. This dilemma coupled with the fast-paced growth of competition has led many construction companies to look for new ways to improve overall performance and reduce absenteeism. For over twenty years construction researchers have proposed various employee participation programs (EPP’s) as a possible management method to counter the decline in productivity. The suggested modern styles of management included applications such as: quality circles, goal setting, participative decision making, work crew selection, work teams, and more recently, Total Quality Management / Continuous Improvement Programs. While these past research efforts proposed such approaches, they are still not considered standard practices for the industry. Some leading edge contractors are working towards adaptation of these new management methods in hopes of leading their competition. This research studies four construction firms and their efforts to implement Employee Participation Programs (EPP’s) as part of their movement towards improving quality management. Each of the four cases utilized a “top-down” implementation approach which began with the management, executive, office staff, and supervisory personnel (company level). At the time of this study, the case companies had not established EPP’s at the field level of their organizations. The research investigates employee participation programs and their effects on absenteeism. The research utilized F-Tests (analysis of variance), factor analyses, T-tests, and regression analyses in support of its findings. The overall results show that EPP’s can have a negative influence on the variation in absenteeism behaviors. The findings indicate that the EPP’s affects over time increase as the program matures. The study concluded that employee perception of their significance and their proximity to the participation played a major role in the overall effects on absenteeism. The study found that the decision / problem environment was the single best predictor of changes in absence behaviors. Significant absenteeism trends were identified in Post-EPP measurement periods. The outcomes of this study were secured through the development and pilot use of the Employee Participation Program Profile Classification System (EPP-PCS). / Ph. D.

In recent years, the UK government skills policy has emphasised the role of workforce skills development as a key driver of economic success and improving productivity across all sectors of the economy. The importance of skills (as a vehicle for enhancing productivity performance) is highlighted within numerous government reports, such as Skills White Papers (2003 and 2005), in addition to the Leitch Review of Skills (2006) which coincided with the outset of this research. Thus, the aim of this research was to examine the relationship between skills development and productivity in the construction industry in order to assess the assumptions of government skills policy in the context of the sector. A multi-method approach was adopted in this research. This involved the analysis of: official construction statistics, levy/grant and financial accounts data of construction companies, in addition to a telephone survey. The main findings of the research are published in five peer reviewed academic papers, demonstrating the tenuous nature of the relationship between skills development and productivity performance, particularly when considering the heterogeneous nature of the construction industry. Government claims about the mono-causal relationship between skills and productivity should be treated with caution. A simple boost in qualification levels or participation rates of training is unlikely to lead to productivity improvements in the construction sector. However, skills development and training activities needs to be targeted and focused if the desired outcome of enhancing productivity performance is to be achieved. Construction companies needs to be proactive in addressing the skills and training needs of their business through drawing on the various support available through CITBConstructionSkills training grants or participating in appropriate skills/training initiatives, such as apprenticeship schemes. The provision of 'productivity-based' training grants should be considered by CITB-CS in order to prompt construction companies to consider training as a plausible means for enhancing their productivity performance. Finally, the recommendations presented in this thesis and areas for further research sets out the potential way forward in terms of advancing knowledge in this area.

Construction workers are an important resource in a country where housing is a desperate need and an unaffordable proposition for millions and where housing built by the organized sector serves only a marginal population. Much therefore depends on the workers' know how and skills to produce affordable and quality housing. In a country like India, where traditional home building technology is being fast replaced by building technology from the west, it is essential to know how and to what extent is this change imbibed by these producers of housing---the construction workers. How do people become construction workers? How and where do they learn and train? What are their sources of new technology? What are their systems and conditions of operation? These questions become significant if this resource has to be trained and deployed not only for improving quality of construction but also to actively involve them in the alleviation of the state of technology, diffusion of much needed technology innovations and development of a powerful and effective grass root level resource to upgrade the housing conditions of the country's poor. This dissertation pursues these issues with the aid of a study of skilled construction workers in the Pune region of India. It ends with a conceptual model to help overcome some drawbacks of the present system and points to other related issues that need immediate consideration in the interest of overall development of the home building industry.

Thesis (MTech (Construction Management))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2008 / The construction industry in South Africa defines a large sector of the economy. The total construction spend in 2002 exceeded R57.5 billion, of which 29.5% came from public sector orders and tenders, 13.6% from public corporations, and 56.9% from the private sector. The size and markets of a construction firm influence its level of professionalism and working practices. Gendering and sexual division of labour are important issues. Presently the construction industry employs a limited number of women at all levels. Additionally there is a low level of participation and representation of women on the committees of the learned societies associated with the industry. The low number of female students majoring in construction management at South African higher education institutions results in a limited number of qualified female construction managers. The consequent gender imbalance suggests a lack of empowerment of women in construction. Historically, job discrimination was institutionalized by law, including job reservation clauses. These laws were abolished following recommendations by the Weihahn Commission of Enquiry in 1979.In South Africa discrimination on the grounds of race and gender constitutes an unfair labour practice. Further, the South African Constitution outlaws discrimination in Section 8.2, but makes provision in Section 8.3 for measures designed to achieve adequate protection and advancement of persons or groups or categories of persons disadvantaged by unfair discrimination. This study explored the factors enhancing or impending career mobility for women in the South African construction industry, with the aim of investigating the factors influencing the choices of careers in construction by South African women. Relevant literature was comprehensively reviewed. Previous relevant research was studied. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used to gather data from multiple samples. Key findings included that women had a role to play in the construction industry and that they could build successful construction careers. However, there were various barriers to entry such as, for example, discrimination against women due to gender bias, the work environment on site and lack of sufficient successful role models. These factors impacted negatively on the choices of careers in construction by South African women.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a influência da sintomatologia da dor/desconforto na qualidade de vida no trabalho de operários da construção civil da cidade de Ponta Grossa, Estado do Paraná. Na coleta de dados foram utilizados dois instrumentos validados, o Diagrama de Corlett e Manenica e o Questionário Quality of Working Life Questionnaire – QWLQ - 78. Os dados foram analisados pela estatística descritiva e Data Mining, sendo correlacionados através das variáveis coletadas pelos instrumentos e pela média das idades dos sujeitos entrevistados. Constatou-se que para uma amostra de 95 operários, os resultados do Diagrama de Corlett e Manenica, através do Teste ANOVA, não apresentaram diferenças significativas. Para os resultados obtidos através do QWLQ - 78, no domínio pessoal, obteve-se o maior valor (65,94) e o menor valor foi no domínio profissional (56,39). Na correlação entre os resultados dos dois instrumentos utilizados o valor encontrado foi de r = + 0,12 (correlação direta e fraca). Nos valores de correlação entre o diagrama de Corlett e Manenica e a média das idades da amostra o resultado foi r = – 0,19 (correlação inversa e fraca) e na correlação entre as médias das idades e o QWLQ - 78 o resultado foi r = + 0,57 (correlação direta e moderada). Conclui-se que a sintomatologia da dor tem influência mínima na qualidade de vida no trabalho, enquanto que a questão da idade tem influência mínima na presença das sensações dolorosas, podendo afetar de maneira moderada a qualidade de vida no trabalho. / The present study aims to evaluate the influence of symptoms of pain/discomfort in the quality of working life of construction workers in the city of Ponta Grossa, Paraná State. During data collection, two validated instruments were used, the diagram and Corlett Manenica Questionnaire and Quality of Working Life Questionnaire - QWLQ - 78. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and data mining, and correlated with the variables collected by the instruments and the average age of the subjects interviewed. It was found that for a sample of 95 workers, the results of the diagram and Manenica Corlett, by ANOVA test, no significant differences. For the results obtained from QWLQ - 78, in the personal, gave the highest value (65.94) and the lowest was in the professional field (56.39). In the correlation between the results of the two instruments used the value found was r = +0.12 (weak positive correlation). In the correlation values between the diagram and Corlett Manenica and mean ages of the sample the result was r = - 0,19 (weak inverse correlation) and the correlation between the mean ages and QWLQ - 78 the result was r = + 0.57 (moderate positive correlation). It is concluded that the symptoms of pain has minimal influence on the quality of work life, while the question of age has minimal influence in the presence of painful sensations, which may affect the quality in a moderate way of life at work.

O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a influência da sintomatologia da dor/desconforto na qualidade de vida no trabalho de operários da construção civil da cidade de Ponta Grossa, Estado do Paraná. Na coleta de dados foram utilizados dois instrumentos validados, o Diagrama de Corlett e Manenica e o Questionário Quality of Working Life Questionnaire – QWLQ - 78. Os dados foram analisados pela estatística descritiva e Data Mining, sendo correlacionados através das variáveis coletadas pelos instrumentos e pela média das idades dos sujeitos entrevistados. Constatou-se que para uma amostra de 95 operários, os resultados do Diagrama de Corlett e Manenica, através do Teste ANOVA, não apresentaram diferenças significativas. Para os resultados obtidos através do QWLQ - 78, no domínio pessoal, obteve-se o maior valor (65,94) e o menor valor foi no domínio profissional (56,39). Na correlação entre os resultados dos dois instrumentos utilizados o valor encontrado foi de r = + 0,12 (correlação direta e fraca). Nos valores de correlação entre o diagrama de Corlett e Manenica e a média das idades da amostra o resultado foi r = – 0,19 (correlação inversa e fraca) e na correlação entre as médias das idades e o QWLQ - 78 o resultado foi r = + 0,57 (correlação direta e moderada). Conclui-se que a sintomatologia da dor tem influência mínima na qualidade de vida no trabalho, enquanto que a questão da idade tem influência mínima na presença das sensações dolorosas, podendo afetar de maneira moderada a qualidade de vida no trabalho. / The present study aims to evaluate the influence of symptoms of pain/discomfort in the quality of working life of construction workers in the city of Ponta Grossa, Paraná State. During data collection, two validated instruments were used, the diagram and Corlett Manenica Questionnaire and Quality of Working Life Questionnaire - QWLQ - 78. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and data mining, and correlated with the variables collected by the instruments and the average age of the subjects interviewed. It was found that for a sample of 95 workers, the results of the diagram and Manenica Corlett, by ANOVA test, no significant differences. For the results obtained from QWLQ - 78, in the personal, gave the highest value (65.94) and the lowest was in the professional field (56.39). In the correlation between the results of the two instruments used the value found was r = +0.12 (weak positive correlation). In the correlation values between the diagram and Corlett Manenica and mean ages of the sample the result was r = - 0,19 (weak inverse correlation) and the correlation between the mean ages and QWLQ - 78 the result was r = + 0.57 (moderate positive correlation). It is concluded that the symptoms of pain has minimal influence on the quality of work life, while the question of age has minimal influence in the presence of painful sensations, which may affect the quality in a moderate way of life at work.

The construction industry is considered to be an extremely dangerous working environment, and therefore the health status of construction workers needs to be considered prior, during and on leaving the industry. Occupational hazards relative to the construction worker are well researched internationally; however few countries undertake routine medical surveillance to identify the health status of the construction worker relative to these hazards. Employers have a higher duty of care to identify workers who could be a risk at work from non-occupationally related conditions such as hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Work could exacerbate these conditions, leading to absenteeism, poor performance and eventually leaving the industry due to ill health. The dissertation explores, inter alia: the risks to which workers are exposed; the legal aspects; relevant literature regarding medical surveillance, and the use of a medical surveillance instrument used to determine the health status of 142 construction workers who consented to participate in the study. The methodological approach used in this study was a quantitative descriptive design, more specifically, using a randomised cross-sectional survey design. The instrument used to determine health status included a full medical, occupational and social history, as well as a physical examination undertaken by Occupational Health Nursing Practitioners (OHNs). Findings indicate that most construction workers believe they are healthy. However only a small percentage of construction workers did not require referral for further investigation and / or treatment.

The study focused on identifying ways in which to improve and increase the quality of training and supply of skilled artisans in the South African construction industry (especially in Gauteng Province) in terms of short and medium term approach. The construction industry is facing a severe skills crisis and this has made it so difficult to recruit competent artisans. This may be as a result of artisans being regarded as the lowest in the hierarchy of construction worker positions. In addition, these artisans warrant less training than those at executive- and managerial levels. This negative attitude towards artisans training has plunged the industry into crisis. Those involved find it difficult to successfully complete projects on time, within budgeted project costs and within the required quality specification due to lack of competent artisans. However, serious attention is required towards enhancing artisan training in the industry. It is imperative and vital to ensure the survival of the industry. The cardinal aim of this research project was to demonstrate a guiding solution towards the skills crisis. Thus, in order to initiate a tremendous change in the skills profile, certain measures are required, e.g. expanding training institutions to local regions; upgrading and aligning facilities in the training institutions to industrial demands and the dissemination of vital information that will ensure the attractiveness of the industry. This will safeguard the construction organisations operating in Gauteng Province. Although the industry is a major player in the economy, there is need for special attention in order to ensure sustainable growth and economic development. The Government, construction industry stakeholders and training institutions personnel should collaborate to salvage the skills crisis by strategically developing programmes (in accordance with industrial requirements) that will benefit prospective learners. The researcher adopted the descriptive- and analytical survey method, which entailed the use of questionnaires and a review of the related literature for gathering relevant data. The methodology used in the research was the quantitative data analysis. The feature findings of the research concluded that the skilled artisans profile is insufficient to meet industry demands. In addition, training institutions and primary- and secondary educational systems are characterized by ninadequacy and incompetency to produce skilled artisans. The situation is exacerbated by the lack of harmonization between the training institutions and the vindustry’s requirements. Furthermore, the majority of the respondents acknowledged that training of their workers is an important aspect to them, but few of these organisations indicated that they make use of formal training institutions such as FET colleges. The recommendation include that all the stakeholders in the construction industry should form collaborations to strategically develop programmes that would upgrade the existing training institutions. This could be done through provision of adequate funds and resources and the dissemination of vital information that is capable to promote the attractiveness of the industry image.

Bibliography: leaves 158-162.