IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION SKILLED LABOUR SHORTAGES ON

THE COMPETITIVENESS OF BUILDING SECTOR IN NIGERIA

BY

AGBO CHISOM CARL

REG NO: 2018030183810

DEPARTMENT OF QUANTITY SURVEYING, FACULTY OF

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY
OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(ESUT), ENUGU.

DECEMBER, 2023

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 TITLE PAGE
IMPACT OF CONSTRUCTION SKILLED LABOUR SHORTAGES ON
THE COMPETITIVENESS OF BUILDING SECTOR IN NIGERIA

BY

AGBO CHISOM CARL

REG NO: 2018030183810

DEPARTMENT OF QUANTITY SURVEYING, FACULTY OF

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES ENUGU STATE
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY (ESUT), ENUGU.

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

AWARD OF BACHELOR SCIENCE (B.SC) IN QUANTITY
SURVEYING

DECEMBER, 2023

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 CERTIFICATION
This is to certify that this work was carried out by Agbo Chisom Carl with Registration number
2018030183810 and has been read and approved by the Department of Quantity Surveying,
Faculty of Environmental Science Enugu State University of Science and Technology Enugu
State.

____________________________ _______________

Agbo Chisom Carl Date

(Researcher)

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 APPROVAL PAGE

This project has been read and approved as meeting the Requirements of B.sc degree in the

Department of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Environmental science, Enugu state University of

science and technology.

___________________ __________________ _____________

Supervisor signature Date

___________________ __________________ _____________

Head of Department signature Date

___________________ __________________ _____________

External supervisor signature Date

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 DEDICATION

This piece of work is dedicated to my parents Mr. and Mrs. Agbo for their support and

encouragement in carrying out this study.

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 ACKNOWLEGEMENTS.

The researcher appreciates his supervisor Q.S. Onyia who painstakingly read through this

work and made lots of input that have brought the work to this appreciated standard. The

researcher also appreciates the Head of Department of Quantity Surveying , Dr. Ajaelu Henry ,

For his wonderful suggestions and encouragement in the course of this programme.

Profoundly the researcher expresses his appreciation and gratitude to the, lecturers in the

Department of Quantity Surveying, Dr. (Mrs) Francisa. O, Mrs. Joy, .Mrs Loveth, and Q.S

Isaiah and the entire staff of the faculty, whose contributions academically and morally had

contributed to the success of this academic pursuit.

The researcher is eternally indebted to his parents, siblings and friends for their prayer,

encouragement and support. God bless you.

Furthermore, the researcher, appreciates the various authors whose works were cited in

the course of this research work. God bless you all immensely. Finally, the researcher expresses

his sincere gratitude to the Almighty God for life, blessings. Support and protection, may all

glory and honour be his, in Jesus’ name, Amen.

ABSTRACT

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Skilled workforce is critical to the socio-economic development of a country and forms the
backbone of the construction industry. This study investigated the problem of construction
skilled labour shortages and their impact on the competitiveness of building sector in South-East,
Nigeria. The objectives were to evaluate the magnitude of skilled labour shortages, identify the
root causes of skilled labour shortages, investigate the impact of skilled labour shortages on the
competitiveness of construction companies in South-East, and to determine strategies for
mitigating skilled labour shortages. The study adopted survey research strategy using structured
questionnaires. The study targeted 100 construction professionals (architects, builders, engineers,
quantity surveyors, and project/construction managers) engaged in indigenous building
contracting firms operating in three states of South-East. The data collected were analysed using
Mean Score Index, Standard Deviation, Kruskal Wallis Test, and Spearman Rank Order
Correlation Analysis. The research findings revealed that, poor funding of vocational skills
centers, ageing skilled workforce, rapid growth of self-employment, lack of craft skills appeal to
young people,andpromotion of diploma and degree over technical are the top causes of skilled
labour shortages in South-East. Construction skilled labour shortages also affect the
competitiveness of construction companies in terms of quality of work, project completion time,
cost of project, financial profitability, andmarketing capability. Firms’ competitiveness in South-
East and construction skilled labour shortages is therefore significantly interrelated. The
implication is that; firms’ competitiveness can be improved by tackling the problem of
construction skill shortages. The study therefore recommends effective deployment of the
relevant strategies validated in this study by government, professional regulators and contractors
in order to curb skilled labour shortages in the construction sector in South-East.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page………………………………………….……………………………………………i

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Certification…..……………………………………….………………………………………ii

Approval page……………………………………………….……………………………….iii

Dedication…………………………………………………………………………………….iv

Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………….….v

Table of content……...………………………………………………………………………vii

Abstract……….…………………………………………………..…………………………viii

Table of figures……………………………………………………………………………….ix

List of tables……………………………………………………………………….…………..x

CHAPTER ONE

1.1 Background of the study 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 3

1.3 Aim and objectives 4

1.3.1 Aim 4

1.3.2 Objectives 4

1.4 Research Questions 4

1.5 Research Hypothesis 4

1.6 Significance of the study 5

CHAPTER TWO

2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW 7

2.1 The Concept of Construction Industry 7

2.2 Impact of Skilled Craftsmen to the Development of Small and Medium Construction 8

2.3 Causes of Skilled Craftsmen Shortage in Enugu 11

2.4 Implications of Skill Shortages on Productivity, Cost, Time, Quality and Project Success 15

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2.5 Need for Training Craftsmen in Enugu 15

2.6 Factors Militating against Training of Construction Craftsmen in Nigeria 17

2.7 Methods of Training 20

2.8 Evaluation of Training 21

2.9 Relevance of Construction Craftsmen Training 22

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