PERCEPTIONS OF POLYTECHNIC GRADUATES OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

Abstract

The poor image of construction industry has affected the interest of fresh talent from joining the sector. The aim of this study is to discover strategies to attract polytechnic graduates to choose construction professions. The objectives are to determine polytechnic graduates’ and construction professionals’ perceptions of jobs in construction industry, compare both groups’ perceptions of the industry to identify significant differences, and recommend effective strategies to interact with polytechnic graduates. Two self-administrated email surveys were conducted. Data were collected from samples of polytechnic graduates and construction professionals in Singapore. The results found that polytechnic graduates have low construction knowledge. In comparison, professionals significantly agree more that construction jobs are dirty and offer no flexible working time as to polytechnic graduates’ perceptions. Furthermore, professionals significantly agree more than polytechnic graduates that the significant barriers for fresh graduates to choose construction professions are the dirty nature of work, negative reviews and comments of the industry, and not women friendly. The significant encouragement for polytechnic graduates to choose a career in the construction industry are its interesting nature of work, have a high degree of autonomy, have a positive impact to society and have advancement opportunities. To attract more polytechnic graduates to join the industry, it is recommended that the government, educational institutions and construction companies could reach them through websites, talks in schools and open house in construction organisations, as these are effective channels to communicate with them.