CIOB Presidential Commission on Higher Education

CIOB calls for greater collaboration between academia and industry to improve key skills and employment opportunities.

The initial phase of research under the CIOB Presidential Commission on Higher Education is complete.

The Institute has received a resounding response from employers, graduates and undergraduates keen to become engaged in this debate.

Over 500 employers were nationally targeted, with a profile of 73% construction firms, 12% consultants and 15% local authorities.

A total of 46 undergraduates and 23 graduates were involved in focus groups to examine the academic perspective.

The research has uncovered a series of issues which need to be taken forward by both academia and industry.

Undergraduates expressed concerns at poor careers information and advice from schools and a general ambiguity of the functions and roles within the industry.

Undergraduates believe there is little clarity and opt for Construction Management as a broad career venture rather than a measured objective.

There were similar concerns from graduates over the relevance of course subjects delivered out of faculty and preparation of students for team-working Industrial placements were considered to be key in delivering the skills and learning opportunities valued across the industry.

The choice of University and the potential for greater recognition and qualification were significant.

There is a strong call for Universities to adopt a more structured and rigorous approach to the application of 'soft skills' - interpersonal, team-working, leadership, project and business management and the development of practical, integrated activities with industry participation.

Employers are firmly behind the need for graduates to become more proficient in generic skills which can pave the way for consolidated development in their chosen profession.

Graduates are concerned at some employers attitudes towards recruitment and induction with some resistance to change and adaption to suit the needs of the industry.

A greater degree of University and employer liaison has been mooted to "bridge the gap" and improve the transition process.

Employers are still experiencing problems in recruiting graduates to suit their requirements.

There are significant differences at both local and regional level where recruitment problems vary from quantity and quality to concerns over salary and training needs.

They use a variety of methods to attract new blood, with a common approach offering vacation work.

Michael Brown CIOB deputy chief executive stated, "This research has been invaluable in our understanding of the shortfalls between the expectations of students, graduates, and universities of construction education programmes".

"We need to start building the next generation of construction management programmes to reflect the high level needs of industry and the career aspirations and choices of young people." Sheila Hoile, director of Skills Strategy at CITB-ConstructionSkills said, "Recently issued figures show that graduate recruitment to Construction and Built environment degrees has increased".

"This is extremely positive news, but we must not be complacent and that is why this CIOB research is so welcome".

"It gives vital insights that will help ensure higher education is right for both employers and undergraduates and delivers the skilled workforce needed by the construction industry." Mark Way, Chairman CIC Lifelong Learning commented, "In the past too little interest has been shown in what happens to graduates during their early years of working in a business environment".

"There is far too little authoritative feedback from a graduate's point of view about how well their education programme matched their expectations and those of employers".

"If we are to close the gap between how graduates are taught and what employers appear to expect then real-world research of this kind is essential".

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