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Pappas, M P (2004) An assessment of implementation requirements for the Tier II construction workforce strategy, Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Texas - Austin.

  • Type: Thesis
  • Keywords: skills; workforce; income; job satisfaction; recruitment; training; United States; culture; interview
  • ISBN/ISSN:
  • URL: http://hdl.handle.net/2152/1283
  • Abstract:
    The United States construction industry has endured a skilled labor shortage overthe last two decades. The shortage varies in its characteristics and intensity, but itcontinues to persist. Although the industry has developed numerous programs toimprove recruitment, training, and retention, these efforts have not eliminated theproblem. It is clear that more must be done.The Tier II strategy combines a number of workforce development andmanagement principles into a comprehensive approach that is measurable and can berelated to construction success. The strategy seeks to develop a strong, highly-skilledcore within the journey-level workforce. These “Tier II journey-level craft workers”possess excellent technical skills and have the management skills to support crew-levelplanning. Effective utilization of these highly-skilled craft workers should result in betterproject performance, as well as higher income, job satisfaction, and better careeropportunities for the individual worker. The Tier II strategy is defined by metrics developed to measure performance and to provide guidance for implementation.Baseline data have been collected from more than 900 individuals and 20 projects.This dissertation documents the first comprehensive attempt to providequantitative guidance regarding the implementation of the Tier II strategy. The currentstatus of the industry based on the Tier II metrics is assessed using the baseline data.Using this current status as a starting point, this dissertation identifies the requirementsnecessary to achieve an advanced level of Tier II implementation for an example project,which requires the determination of quantitative data where none exist in the academicliterature. Expected benefits and costs are developed based on published literature andunpublished data from a number of industry sources.Industry implementation will evolve in a number of different forms, as companiesdevelop detailed implementation plans that complement their corporate cultures and thespecific requirements of their projects and their personnel.Based on the Tier II metrics, baseline data, published literature, and unpublishedindustry data gathered through interviews and meetings, the Tier II strategy can beimplemented at an advanced level with a minimum expected benefit-cost ratio in therange of 2:1 to 3:1.

Park, H-S (2002) Development of a construction productivity metrics system (CPMS), Unpublished PhD Thesis, , University of Texas - Austin.