Challenges Facing the Construction Industry Today - Coursework Example

Running head: Engineering and Construction Challenges in The Construction Industry Today Date Due: Challenges facing The Construction Industry Today Construction industry is one of the major sectors that contribute to the development of any country. Therefore, it remains a key force to boost the economy. To realize this, there is however a need to produce professionals in the construction industry that would be able to handle various problems in this profession. In addition, the construction industries face challenges mainly the demand for changing skills in the various construction related professionals. On top of this, the fast moving of technologies, the high rate of global expansion, shifting business models, mergers, and acquisitions have facilitated the demand for professionals who are well equipped with the skills required to handle problems that would be faced in the construction industries. According to the Guardian (2012), therefore having a comprehensive system of vocational training to equip employees with skills goes hand in hand to solve the demand of changing skills in the various professionals in the construction industry. It would be fair to state that most construction companies in the UK, Europe, and Sri Lanka have particular skills and training challenges as a result of being mobile and segmented with high levels of subcontracting and self employment. In the journal Resource and Information in Industry Skills published in 2012, it asserts that unlike in the past, one can only be allowed to work with a construction company if they have a “certificate” of competence a show that they have the necessary skills and experience to cope with the challenges in the field of construction. In Europe, there is the National Construction College that trains employees and other professionals in the field have been encouraged to further their education in colleges and other institutions of higher learning. Just Like any other professional bodies in other professional fields like law, medicine the professions in the construction industry have organizational bodies that protect their members’ rights and ensure that clients get the best services. In this paper, different bodies have been discussed in detail from different locations namely: The UK, Europe and from Sri Lanka. In addition, the organizational bodies’ development, their functions and changing roles depending on the need for skills of employees in the construction architecture profession have been discussed, the importance and requirements of joining these organizations and the demands of changing skills in these organizations have been discussed also and finally a comparison on these organizations in terms of their roles, functions and demand in the modern day construction industry. Terms and Concepts Profession This is a field that requires a certain degree of knowledge and specialization and often requires long and intensive academic preparation. Professional From the professional studies handbook (2012), a professional is a person with a given expertise in a given field and they are often paid to undertake specialized tasks in the given area. Professionals in any field often have to demonstrate certain code of conduct and are often regarded with trust and they should be competent. Throughout this paper, the term profession and professional are used interchangeably to refer to the construction industry and the experts in the field of construction respectively. Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) This is the leading professional body in the UK. Bodies are formed to protect their members from exploitation and ensure that the clients get quality services. RIBA was formed also to ensure quality professionals in the construction industry in the UK and is the largest global collection of architectural landscape, decorative arts and building images. Architects have to abide by the rules and regulations that they usually sign during their registration. However, there are certain requirements that must be satisfied before one becomes accredited by the Royal Institute of Architects in the UK. RIBA membership is a symbol of professional excellence that gives her members a competitive advantage in the job market industry (RIBA Chartered Membership, 2011). Requirements for Membership The journal continues to assert that for one to be become a RIBA chartered member they must have completed a five year academic year study course in architecture and been awarded an architectural qualification certificate. Moreover, they must be awarded RIBA recognized qualification or equivalent from a school of architecture with RIBA recognized course. Applicants must have completed a minimum of five years academic studies leading to professional qualification as an architect, and must be a registered/licensed architect in their country of residence. A minimum of five years post qualification professional experience is required. Benefits of RIBA Membership According to RIBA Chartered Membership, (2011), once an architect becomes a member of RIBA they are on the right track to excel in their careers. The construction industry profession requires experienced manpower to ensure quality delivery of services and in the most efficient manner. Thus, a RIBA chartered members acquire a variety of services that boosts their career and to compete in the ever dynamic profession that requires a lot of skills and experience. Knowledge, Research and Information RIBA has a dedicated information center that offers their members, services in architectural practice, business matters, history and the various functions of the RIBA body. This is aimed at keeping the members well informed of their career body and the trends in the job market. Moreover, RIBA has knowledge communities that provide knowledge on various topics about the construction industry profession and thus enhancing their member’s skills in the construction profession. RIBA also enables the sharing of information and ideas in an online forum that give the members a view of the profession and how to solve problems. The more experienced members give the less experienced members ideas that would assist them in solving future problems that may arise while delivering their services to clients. Career Development RIBA body ensures expertise and knowledge through interaction with clients once a member applies to be a Client Design Advisor. Through this, a professional understands the need of clients and how to handle their problems in the best way possible. In addition, all RIBA members enjoy free training services in various areas of expertise. Advance member’s learning and obtain qualifications and certificates, in architecture, design or business management areas through RIBA Skill and Specialist CPD. Members also gain up-to-date knowledge and enhance their expertise on a wide range of subjects, as well as earning CPD points by attending the free CPD Providers Network regional Road shows. Build Profile By registering as a RIBA member one is able to build their profiles and through this, they attract a lot of clients. Professional construction architects in this body are able to communicate about their quality amongst clients and colleagues by using the RIBA crest on their personal stationery. In addition to the above benefits, RIBA works with her members to give them free advice and inform them on the changing skills in the job market in the construction industry profession. The need to produce qualified professionals and the dynamic technology has prompted the demand for skilled professionals in the construction industry. Moreover, communication skills are needed as the profession demands the need to talk to clients and get to know their problems before the construction or the beginning of the task. Sri Lanka Institute of Architects According to the Architect (2011), this one of the leading professional bodies in Sri Lanka, that ensures quality professionals in the construction industry field. The Sri Lankan body of architects was formed through an act of parliament in 1997 and one is required to register under three categories namely “Architects”, “Chartered Architects” and “Architectural Licentiates”. It was formed to perform duties of the clients and to take responsibility for the education and to examine architects to ensure that the architects are well qualified and with enough experience to handle their jobs in the right manner. For one to qualify for the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects membership must meet three requirements for registration. They must hold a degree from one of the universities in Sri Lanka and must have been awarded a degree in architecture course. They would also get their degree from any other institution of higher learning abroad but should be approved by the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects through a gazette notification. They also need to have the required experience and have completed their examinations and passed. The functions of the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects are purely public since the statute that incorporated the body was a public enactment. Institute of Historic Building Construction This is a nonprofit organization that operates in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is a professional body that has members that are qualified in building conservation practitioners and specialists in the environment. Moreover, the organization consists of licensed architectures, emerging professionals in the construction industry field and their allied partners. The association was formed to enable its members to be committed to a high degree of ethics, continuing education and professional development and the advancement of the value of the profession in the local, state and national level (The Guardian, 2010). With this organization in place, interns, sole practitioner, principal, government employees or even the clients have been benefitted from the knowledge and information that the body offers so that they can make decisions about their careers and stay in touch with current demands of skills in the profession. Becoming a member of the Institute of Historic Building Construction enables one to increase their network and to have expertise in their field. However, for one to be an associate member they must have a professional degree in architecture from an accredited institution recognized by all its members. They must also be under the supervision of an architect, moreover in case they are enrolled in the Intern Development Program they must be working towards obtaining the license and they must be faculty members in a university program in architecture. By one becoming a member of Institute of Historic Building Construction, they enjoy the benefits of networking as they get to know professionals in the construction industry. Moreover, membership of the Institute of Historic Building Construction offers them with discounts on products and services. Further, the professionals get the tools in the field of construction that they might need for the success of their careers. The demand for skills in the construction industry has prompted most professionals to be certified so that they would be recognized by their clients for delivering quality service (The Guardian, 2010). Even though all the three construction bodies have different criteria on how one is to be certified as an accredited member, they have similar roles and their functions include protection of their members from exploitation and ensure that they are well qualified to offer quality services to their clients. From an international perspective, the bodies have done a great work in ensuring qualified professionals in the field of construction industry. References The American Institute of Architects, 2012, Become a Member of The American Institute Of Architects. Accessed 5 March 2012. Url: http: // www.aia.org/join_categories/AIAS078908 Professional Studies Handbook, 2012, An attachment from customer pdf RIBA Chartered Membership, 2011. RIBA Chartered Membership Eligibility. Url: JoinTheRIBA/Individuals/CharteredMembership/Eligibility.aspx The Architect, 2011. The Journal of The Sri Lankan Institute of Architects. Url: http://www.thearchitect.lk The guardian, 2010. Britain’s Construction Industry Is Investing In Skills for The Future. Url: http:// www.guardian.co.ke/commentisfree/2010/nov/12/britains-construction-industry-investing-future Read More