Training needs in construction project management in Portugal

• Autores: José M. Cardoso Teixeira, Brígida Pires
• Localización: X Congreso Internacional de Ingeniería de Proyectos: Valencia, 13-15 Septiembre 2006. Actas / Asociación Española de Ingenieria de Proyectos (AEIPRO) (aut.), Universitat Politècnica de València (aut.), International Project Management Association (aut.), 2006, ISBN 84-9705-987-5, págs. 2085-2093
• Idioma: español
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • The construction sector is vital to the economic, social and environmental agendas of a country and consequently plays a critical role in the future of Europe. It is the largest industrial employer in Europe, with investments worth more than 900 billion euros, representing 10% of the GDP (EU-15, 2003) [1]. Moreover, it has multiple effects in surrounding economic activities.

    Construction is typically a project oriented activity. Accordingly, project managers are responsible for planning and coordinating an assortment of activities while optimising cost, time, human and material resources so that the predetermined project objectives are eventually reached. Therefore, it is not surprising to say that productivity would benefit from enhanced management skills of project managers in the construction activity.

    Significant research has identified a number of areas where sector performance could be improved, including better training and education, greater use of new technologies, better project management and innovative design [2]. Recommendations for assessing the competitiveness of the construction industry and for enhancing sector performance have been compiled by many international researchers. In fact, the European Commission proposed recommendations for the improvement of the competitiveness of the European construction industry in a communication (COM(97)539 final) adopted in November of 1997, namely through priority actions in education and training provision, reorientation and reinforcement of R&D, regulatory environment and quality in construction.

    The lack of knowledge on competitiveness in the construction industry has been felt by the Portuguese stakeholders. A recent research project conducted by the authors has revealed that delays, cost overruns, lack of safety and insufficient quality are the main problematic factors for project success1. Using these results, the research team at the University of Minho, plans to clarify the main reasons for the lack of competitiveness in the Portuguese Construction Industry and consequently outline the main path that hopefully circumvent interfering problematic factors.

    One priority action lies in more investment in education and training of the workforce ranging from university educated professionals to poorly qualified site laborers. Indeed, because construction is a labour intensive activity, the workforce lies at the heart of the construction sector. Improved competitiveness relies on specialized professionals with updated skills in order to meet constant new requirements of an expanding global market that faces an ever-changing global climate.

    Although coverage of the education system has improved dramatically international test scores suggest that problems with the quality of schooling remain [3] Table 1 illustrates the weak and strong points of the national construction industry.