Exploring the drivers and barriers to lifelong learning in Singapore’s construction industry

ABSTRACT

With the ongoing evolution in technology, there is an increasing need to address participation in lifelong learning in Singapore’s construction industry. It is necessary for employees and workers in the construction sector to acquire skillsets and knowledge to adapt to the ever-changing world. This study attempts to identify ways to increase participation in lifelong learning in the construction industry in Singapore by examining motivational theories for drivers and barriers. With the establishment of the conceptual framework, this study adopts a quantitative approach, using a questionnaire survey, the results of which are analysed using the SPSS and SmartPLS 3.0 software. The result of the analysis strongly supports the use of self-determination theory (SDT) and the fulfilment of three basic psychological needs – competence, autonomy, and relatedness of individuals – will produce a significant effect on the participation of lifelong learning within the construction industry. This means that the practical use of this theory in the construction industry will gradually increase individuals’ participation in lifelong learning. This study examined theories of amotivation and barriers, and both were demonstrated to be insignificant affecting participation rates. This study also identified institutional barriers as a key factor within the barrier domain, suggesting that changes in the institutional situation may help individuals to fulfil their lifelong learning dream.

KEYWORDS:

• Lifelong learning
• drivers
• barriers
• Singapore’s construction industry
• motivation
• amotivation
• structural equation model (SEM)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shang Gao

Dr Gao Shang is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Management at University of Melbourne. Dr Gao has a diverse research interests in construction management. He has served as consultant to large construction firms in China, Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia.

Sui Pheng Low

Professor Low Sui Pheng is with the Department of Built Environment in the College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore where he has previously served as Director, Head and Vice-Dean. He teaches construction project management and has published, researched and consulted extensively both in Singapore and overseas. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building, he holds a Higher Doctorate D.Sc. (Civil Engineering) degree from the University of Birmingham and a Ph.D. degree from University College London. He has conducted lean project management training for SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and NUS Resilience & Growth 2020 Initiative. He is a winner of the Donald S. Barrie Award (2005) from the Project Management Institute (PMI) in the United States based partly on a joint NUS-Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund (ARF) Research Project on Managing Variation Orders in PRIME School Building Projects.

Qin Zi Yesmeen Yeo

Yesmeen Yeo Qin Zi holds BSc in Project and Facilities Management from National University of Singapore (NUS). She was a student researcher at NUS and now works for NCS Group as a project manager. Yesmeen Yeo holds BSc in Project and Facilities Management from National University of Singapore (NUS). She was a student researcher at NUS and now works for NCS Group as a project manager.