Abstract
Education and training of Quantity Surveyors (QSs) has been a topical subject amongst academics, the industry, and professional institutions, often leading to a discussion about education versus training, in which case, the industry sometimes argues that QSs are often ill-prepared for work. The current study investigated strategies for improving QSs’ education training in Uganda, with a focus on devising ways of engendering better graduates that are fit for the industry. A semi-structured online questionnaire was used to collect data. The research population included QSs practicing in the Ugandan Construction Industry. The majority of respondents agreed to a great extent that QSs, and thus their training, are still relevant in the current construction industry. Majority of respondents desired the teaching curriculum to include more practical aspects that expose students to real challenges in practice. It was suggested that early exposure of students to real field practice was paramount to students’ training. Engagements such as industrial training and internship placements in Quantity Surveying firms were highly encouraged. The curriculum also needs to be responsive to recent advances in industry practices, such as Building Information Modelling (BIM). Meanwhile, the University should intensify action research with the industry, and forge collaborations with all the key players in the construction sector to streamline the training. The findings of this study, if implemented, could potentially improve the quality of Quantity Surveying programmes at institutions of higher learning in similar developing countries. This would hopefully produce graduates who are industrially relevant and with a sound academic background.
Highlights
In most countries around the world, the production of construction products takes place within an all-important industry, the construction industry
It is important to understand, from the industry perspective, the perceptions regarding strategies that can be used to improve the Quantity Surveying training curriculum, such that the needs of the various stakeholders can be addressed in tandem. This study addresses this gap by investigating the strategies that can be used to improve Quantity Surveying training curriculum, focusing on the perceptions from Quantity Surveyors (QSs) in the construction industry of Uganda
Education systems of Quantity Surveying often do not recognize the multi-directional needs of the QS, which often leads to graduates whom the industry sees as not fulfilling their requirements
Summary
In most countries around the world, the production of construction products takes place within an all-important industry, the construction industry This industry is complex, since it covers a wide range of loosely integrated groups of participants and sub-markets, it is responsible for the procurement of investment products that contribute to the well-being and functioning of a modern national economy (Kwakye, 1997). The education and training needs of QSs have been a topical subject, notably, by three key stakeholders: academics, the industry, professional institutions. This tripartite three directional pull on the development needs of the QS is often unrecognized by the education systems, leading to many problems including fueling the “education versus training” debate and conflict between educators and employers. Much of the academic content being taught is usually directed to more ies.ccsenet.org
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