Offsite construction skills evolution: an Australian case study
ISSN: 1471-4175
Article publication date: 5 March 2021
Issue publication date: 3 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The construction industry is currently responding to pressures of industrialisation happening across all sectors. Consequently, offsite construction (OSC) has become a vehicle to achieve industrialisation. This requires changes in traditional construction processes resulting in possible changes in construction skill requirements. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to identify and review prevailing OSC practices and skills in the Australian construction industry. This study aims to critically analyse the existing skill profile classifications through a single case study and identify the need for an OSC specific skill classification.
Design/methodology/approach
This study follows a case study design, with an in-depth analysis of a single construction project. Only one case study was studied because scientifically, one example was enough to prove that the prevailing skill classifications do not represent OSC skills in a modern context. Data was retrospectively collected through semi-structured interviews of project stakeholders representing design, manufacture and assembly. Content analysis was conducted to analyse the collected data and produce findings.
Findings
This study identifies the inadequacy of the existing classification system, unavailability and the need of OSC specific skill categorisation. It highlights new skills that enter OSC; building information modelling engineer, three-dimensional draftsperson, OSC project manager and project coordinator, which are not identified in the available Australian skill classifications. These, together with existing skills need to be carved in to create a new skill classification.
Originality/value
This study is the first of its kind where a comprehensive OSC project is evaluated as a case study to determine OSC skill classification requirements in Australia.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Opportunity and the support provided by the Centre for Smart Modern Construction, Western Sydney University by granting a Doctoral Research Candidate scholarship is acknowledged. Moreover, the helping hand of data providers by agreeing for interviews to deliver valuable ideas and views is much appreciated.
Citation
Ginigaddara, B., Perera, S., Feng, Y. and Rahnamayiezekavat, P. (2021), "Offsite construction skills evolution: an Australian case study", Construction Innovation, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 41-56. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-10-2019-0109
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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