Current status of factors leading to team performance of on-site construction professionals in Alberta building construction projects

A skill-measuring criterion or strategy can be used to optimize the scarce skilled labour force in the Canadian construction industry. The University of Calgary conducted an extensive study to assess the skill levels and team performance of field workers and managers in Alberta's building construction projects. Over 150 workers and field managers were interviewed, surveyed with questionnaires and observed, to identify team efficiencies, skill levels, team spirit, and team perceptions of supervision. The average construction worker had over 15 years of field experience. Most of the workers were high school educated. More than 70% of the workers wanted to improve their career skills; however, internal and external opportunities were limited and (or) not promoted by the respective construction companies. A very few foremen had certified skills in administration, computer handling, planning, job management and work records. The research clearly noted the urgent need for training programs, for workers and field managers, to improve their present skill levels. Key words: worker skills, supervisory skills, construction productivity, team spirit, worker education. Un critere / une strategie de mesure des competences peut etre utilise pour optimiser la main-d'oeuvre experimentee, rare dans l'industrie canadienne de la construction. L'Universite de Calgary a realise une vaste etude pour evaluer les niveaux de competences et le rendement des equipes de travailleurs et de chefs de chantier dans les projets de construction de batiments en Alberta. Plus de 150 travailleurs et chefs de chantier ont ete interviewes, ont rempli des questionnaires et ont ete observes afin d'identifier les efficacites des equipes, les niveaux de competences, l'esprit d'equipe ainsi que les perceptions que les equipes avaient de la supervision. Le travailleur de la construction moyen possede plus de 15 ans d'experience sur le terrain. La plupart des travailleurs detiennent un diplome d'etudes secondaires. Plus de 70 % des travailleurs veulent ameliorer leurs competences. Toutefois, les occasions a l'interne et a l'externe sont limitees et (ou) non publicisees par les compagnies de construction. Tres peu de contremaitres possedent des competences certifiees en administration, en informatique, en planification, ainsi qu'en gestion des travaux et de registres de travail. La recherche note clairement le besoin urgent d'avoir des programmes de formation pour les travailleurs et les chefs de chantier afin d'ameliorer leur niveau actuel de competences. Mots-cles : competences des travailleurs, competences de supervision, productivite en construction, esprit d'equipe, education des travailleurs. [Traduit par la Redaction]
1. Introduction Human skills are essential in achieving successful execution of a construction project with effective communication, motivation, leadership, teamwork, and mutual trust. These skills play a major role not [...]