Track: Engineering Education

Abstract

The main aim of construction education is to adequately prepare graduates for the rigors of the industry after completion of their academic degree. With the construction industry becoming increasingly dynamic, the need for students to be sufficiently skilled cannot be over-emphasized. Apart from lectures obtained in the conventional classroom, students of higher education institutions (HEIs) also require work experience to further improve their learning curve as well as holistic understanding of their chosen careers. Through the help of a well-structured questionnaire survey, this research identified the various roles of work experience in fostering construction education. The sample for this study consisted of one hundred and twenty-six (126) respondents drawn from professionals in the Nigerian construction industry. The study revealed that instilling the right kind of work attitude in students, encouraging the holistic development of students, improving students’ knowledge of the industry and providing motivation and exposure for students are among the many benefits of undergoing work experience. The study found that work activities are a vital component in a university curricula which contributes immensely to improving the employability skills of graduates. The findings from the study provides a basis for enhancing and developing effective work opportunities to better prepare graduates as they prepare to solve the various needs of the construction industry.