Work Readiness of Project Management Graduates Working In Construction: A Study of Employer Perspectives

Undergraduate work readiness continues to gain increasing attention from employers and educators worldwide, yet remains a concept that is largely under researched. Within the context of the construction industry, there is an observed need for graduates who are able to successfully transition into and thrive within such a fast paced and dynamic industry. This research explores undergraduate work readiness within the context of the project management discipline, with the aim of ascertaining the perspective of industry employers regarding the work readiness of project management graduates working within the Australian construction industry. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with eighteen employers of project management graduates. Research results illustrate that for employers of project management graduates working in the construction industry, work readiness constitutes i) empathic communication, ii) personality and passion and iii) construction knowledge. Findings also show that employers recognise that the responsibility for fostering work readiness is one that should be shared between university educators, project management students and themselves, suggesting a need for closer collaboration among the key stakeholders in project management education.