ASSESSMENT OF TRAINING NEEDS OF NIGERlAN CONSTRUCTION PROJECT MANAGERS AND THEIR PREFERRED DELIVERY METHODS

Abstract

ABSTRACT Every construction industry has a need for training if it must remain competitive in a technology complex and over changing world. Some construction companies have neglected the importance of training project mangers due to inability to analyze the needs for training, objectives of training needs and finally the choice of facilitators inorder to meet up with the efficiency requirement of the organization. This research presents an examination of the benefit of training for construction project managers and their training needs. It also examines the training methods preferred by construction project managers. In order to examine the factors, an Investigatory Survey Research Approach (ISRA) which involves the administrative of questionnaire and site visitation was conducted within the construction industry for the collection of data. Questionnaires were drawn up, distributed and administered to respondents who were project managers and professionals in construction industry. A hundred and fifty (150) questionnaires were distributed to samples of respective groups selected by non-random sampling techniques. A total of 65 responses representing 43% were received. The mean ranking approach was used to analyze the data generated to obtain the mean score of the respondents. It was shown from the study that in-house training is important in the construction industry. It was also shown that the benefit of project management training ensures predictable schedule cost and product delivery, offers more effective ways to priorities, allocate and monitor resources and also to enhance project managers' self esteem. In as much as there are benefits in project management training, the factors associated with training failure of these managers such as wrong choice of trainers, lack of management support, inadequate analysis of performance deficiencies, ambiguous objectives were also identified. The training needs of the construction project managers were identified based on major courses as thus; construction project management personnel management, Design management and computer application. The construction managers' preferred delivery method based on institution were shown to be Project Management Institute, Construction Professional Institute and Management developing centre while their preferred delivery methods based on training methods were shown to be field visit, video tape, workshop, lecture and case study. This study generated the recommendations provided in the content of this project.