An Analysis of BIM Employability Skills Among Polytechnic Architecture Graduates

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) has become a crucial topic discussion among the construction player in the construction industry. The needs of professionals’ talent in the BIM skills aspect are required to ensure the BIM implementation can be carried out smoothly. However, most of the studies carried out found that industry lack BIM expertise and BIM knowledge. There is also a lack of studies emphasises the aspect of the need for semi-skilled workers in BIM-related skills. This paper aims to determine the employability skills in BIM-related acquired among architecture graduates from polytechnics as semi-skilled workers in the construction industry and the differences level of skills between gender. Quantitative methods through survey questionnaires were used to obtain data to answer the research questions. A sample survey of 169 (male and female) architecture diploma graduates from Malaysian polytechnics was selected to answer the survey. Data collected and analysed using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Science). Descriptive analysis was performed and an independent t-test to identify differences in acquired skills between men and women for working as semi-skilled workers. Cronbach’s Alpha values ​​over 0.85 are high-level categories based on the validity and reliability analysed made. The results showed significant differences between male and female graduates in the skills acquired to work as semi-skilled workers in the construction industry. The level of skills among the graduates in nontechnical skills is higher than technical skills and BIM knowledge. The research findings are helpful in identify architecture graduates’ skills level in order to enhance students’ ability in the future to meet industry’s needs.