An Investigation on the Extent of Awareness of Existing Onsite Training and Certification Programmes by Semi-skilled Construction Workforce in Kenya

Abstract

The construction industry has a chance to close the knowledge and skill gap by offering on-the-job training and certification programs for semi-skilled workers. The government has taken steps to ensure that more semi-skilled workers are trained and certified through NCA, NITA, and a number of contractors. The fundamental issue, however, has been the consistently poor participation of semiskilled workers in the training and certification programs set up for them. The research proposition suggested that the semi-skilled construction workers' low level of awareness contributed to their low level of uptake. The main goal of this study was to investigate the extent of awareness of existing on-site training and certification programmes among semi-skilled workers in Kenya’s construction industry. The study’s specific objectives were to describe the training needs of the semi-skilled workers; identify the existing on-site training and certification programmes offered for the semi-skilled workers and investigate the communication and awareness tools used, in order to propose how greater awareness of existing programmes could be achieved among semi-skilled workers. The study employed a qualitative research methodology and underpinned the research using behavioral learning theory, social learning theory, sensory stimulation theory and self-determination theory. The study adopted descriptive research design and the target population comprised of semiskilled workers, site managers, officials from NITA and NCA and an expert from academia. The study used the snowball sampling technique to generate a sample of semi-skilled workers from the active construction sites. Officials responding to the interviews were selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data was obtained using questionnaires and interviews. The findings indicated that there existed on-site training and certification programmes for the semi-skilled workers with majority of the semi-skilled workers moderately to poorly aware. Coaching was the main training technique and majority of the semi-skilled workers were interested in masonry training and certification. The study recommended that the Government of Kenya should increase financial resource allocation to on-site training programmes and should engage more contractors to improve communication on the existing on-site training and certification programmes and the modalities of training delivery. Governmental and non-governmental stakeholders on site training and certification should increase the frequency of conducting awareness raising campaigns and diversify the tools used in communication and awareness raising. The study proposed further studies on the effectiveness of existing on-site training and certification programmes offered by governmental bodies in Kenya and the factors affecting the implementation of on-site training programmes among the semi-skilled workers.