Graduate Employment: Introducing Construction Management Graduates to the Workplace in South Africa

Abstract

Graduates face challenges when transitioning into the work environment, and integrating into organisations. The primary objective of the study reported on is to investigate the integration of construction management graduates into the workplace. The study was conducted by means of a literature review and an empirical study. A quantitative approach was adopted for the empirical study, which entailed a self-administered questionnaire survey. The sample population included construction management students and graduate employees, and employers or representatives. The salient findings suggest that HEIs, and work experience provide various contributions in terms of developing and preparing students and graduates for the workplace. This is crucial, as perceptions suggest that students and graduates do not meet the expectations of employers, more so with respect to their employability skills. It can be concluded that students and graduates lack employability skills, and GDPs and internships play a vital role in the socialisation and development of graduates. It is recommended that HEIs need to plan more effectively to prepare graduates for the workplace, students should undergo vacation work in industry, and GDPs and internships should be formal and structured. The findings serve as a guide to prospective graduates who wish to enter the working environment, and employers who wish to hire graduates.