Graduate Certificates in Construction Management STATE OF ALASKA DOT/PF 2008 Annual Statewide Construction Managers Meeting Dr. Robert A. Perkins, PE

Worker Shortage Looms for Defense Sector Tuesday March 4, 2:24 pm ET By Joelle Tessler, AP Business Writer Aerospace and Defense Sector Braces for Potential Brain Drain As Cold War Workers Retire WASHINGTON (AP) -- The aerospace and defense sector is bracing for a potential brain drain over the next decade as a generation of Cold War scientists and engineers hits retirement age and not enough qualified young Americans seek to take their place. -- almost 60 percent of U.S. aerospace workers in 2007 were 45 or older --

Problem Worldwide loss of middle management engineers and technical professionals –All industrial countries –All technical industries Loss of mentoring class More acute in governmental employers –Less flexibility

Managers Need Desire –Must want to manager, be responsible for work of others Skills in management –People, communications, HR, etc. Technical knowledge about their field

Education and Training May accelerate acquisition of management and technical skills Many modalities –OJT –NHI –Full-time MS –Part-time MS –CEU-type training –Graduate Certificates

Value of Academic Courses OJT and employer-sponsored education can work, however –Lack credential –Quality varies –Student participation varies Academic instruction and curriculum must meet standards of institution Students must internalize knowledge

Extra Courses Required - Construction 1.Cost estimating (3), 2.CE construction (3), 3.Project management (3), 4.Contract law (3), 5.Human Resources, Labor Law (3) plus 6.Geotech or structures (3-6). Total more credits

Ten pounds of stuff in a 5 pound bag

Standard MS not economical Full-time lose two years of longevity –Small increase in starting pay Evening program depends on how you value your free time Economics is different for international students

Increase graduate education’s value to students? Make more specific to employer’s needs Make more convenient for students and employers ESM Advisory suggested “Building Block” approach –Break curriculum down into short modules that would count toward the degree Give credential sooner

Graduate Certificates Growth industry in engineering education Typically 12 to 15 graduate credits Generally acceptable towards MS Rolla indicates 11 of 29 departments have certificate programs

Certificates Work (Many private universities are marketing) Focused on narrow area Often marketed to industry, i.e., –Design of Pharmaceutical Facilities –Value Chain Enterprise Systems –Pharmaceutical Process Engineering Often distance delivered Often don’t need MS to “complete” BS degree

AK DOT Classes Asked UAF to offer some construction management classes last spring UAF generated preliminary information Met with AK DOT to refine We took plan to contractors, owners, AGC, etc.

Findings Emphasize management skills Target individuals who have –engineering or technical bachelor’s degrees, and –who have several years of subsequent work experience. Short, concentrated modules –completed and applied quickly. Convenient times and locations –during seasons that minimize conflict with construction activities.

First, Early, Draft of Certificate Program Had Four Discipline Area 1.Human interactions and communications (4-6 credits) 2.Construction project management (4-6 credits) 3.Construction contract administration (4-6 credits) 4.Other Areas (3-4 credits total)

Conclusions Need to customize our current educational offerings to suit students and, especially, –The needs of their employers Decrease “cost” to students Make the “product” more valuable to the “customer” Graduate certificates, such as construction management, may do this. –Need Board of Regent Approval –Now is a good time for it

Questions to you Start of something new? –Graduate Certificate in Construction Mgt. Skill areas? –Needs Handout