Preparing Project Management Professionals for Construction Careers: Australian Stakeholders’ Perceptions of Educators’ Role

Abstract

Work-ready professionals serve as valuable organizational and industry resources. In the face of skills shortages in construction, it is imperative that graduates emerge well equipped for their careers in the industry. This study explores the role of educators in fostering work readiness in graduating project management (PM) professionals embarking on careers in construction. Seventy-five semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with five key stakeholder groups including PM students, early-career PM professionals, construction employers, PM professional body representatives, and PM university educators. In interviewing five key stakeholder groups, this study adopts a holistic approach to investigate the role of educators in preparing a work-ready next generation of construction PM professionals. Thematic analysis revealed that the stakeholders considered that educators’ responsibilities entailed: i) teaching content relevant to industry; ii) providing career education; iii) facilitating work experience; iv) refreshing curriculum; v) engaging in open dialogue with alumni; vi) possessing industry experience; and vii) engaging with industry. The findings contribute insights into the role of educators in preparing graduates for the industry. Educators delivering PM courses for graduates planning to work in construction may use the results of this research as a guide to assist them in fostering work readiness of future construction professionals.