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Hutchings, M and Christofferson, J (2005) Factors leading to construction company success: perceptions of small-volume residential contractors. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 1(02), 102–11.

Jackson, B (2005) The perceptions of experienced construction practitioners regarding ethical transgressions in the construction industry. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 1(02), 112–28.

Jackson, B J (2005) Design-build education at associated schools of construction undergraduate programs. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 1(02), 75–88.

Kashiwagi, D T and Massner, S (2005) Solving the construction craftperson skill shortage problem through construction undergraduate and graduate education. International Journal of Construction Education and Research, 1(02), 89–101.

  • Type: Journal Article
  • Keywords: Craftperson shortage; industry structure; low-bid procurement; performance information
  • ISBN/ISSN: 1557-8771
  • URL:
  • Abstract:
    This research paper identifies construction undergraduate and graduate education as the only solution to the problem of craftsperson shortage in the construction industry. The paper first identifies the craftsperson shortage problem and easily identifiable problems of low pay, no career incentives, and minimized training. It then analyzes the construction industry structure. Using Information Measurement Theory, it identifies the environment required to increase the number of skilled craftspeople. The analysis identifies the real source of the craftsperson skill shortage in the construction industry as the industry structure, the low-bid procurement system, and the lack of performance information. The current industry structure and procurement systems identify craftsperson skill as a need and not a requirement. It identifies the construction education system as the only way to change the craftsperson skill shortage problem. It proposes that certain topics (industry structure, change mechanisms, performance information, business processes, organizational optimization) must be introduced in construction education and given to facility owner representatives, designers, and construction management to change the industry structure from within and without.