Profiling Industry-Relevant Competencies of Graduate Architect through Online Job Advertisements

Abstract

This paper aims to explore and profile industry-relevant competencies of graduate architect in Malaysia. Content analysis conducted on online job advertisements offering positions for graduates were collected and analyzed to determine the common competencies listed in the recruitment of graduate architects. Competencies are divided into three main components: knowledge, skills and personal traits. Findings revealed a cluster of key competencies deemed necessary by the architectural firms in Malaysia. This competency profile is useful as a guide for architectural graduates towards meeting the employers’ expectations. It can also provide information for architecture schools in reassessing possible competency gaps of their graduates and to realign their curriculum towards meeting the industry requirements. Finally, it is recommended for extending the content analysis for a longer duration and to include newspaper and magazines advertisements to further validate and strengthen the competency profile identified in the current study.