Competencies Expected of Graduate Quantity Surveyors by the Sri Lankan Construction Industry

Abstract

Quantity surveying is one of the prominent professions in the construction industry. With the increasing complexity in construction projects, competencies of QSs have become utmost significant. Moreover, new opportunities of the quantity surveying profession reinforce the need to upgrade the competencies of graduates. However, the quantity surveying education system has not attempted to cater the needs of the industry, thus lagging behind the perceived level of achievement. Hence, this study aims at identifying the gap in competencies required by professional organisations and those possessed by graduate QSs. This study employed a hybrid survey approach. Firstly, external and internal desk studies were conducted to identify the competencies required by professional bodies and the competencies possessed by graduate QSs respectively, which was then analysed using the thematic analysis technique. Secondly, three expert interviews were conducted to validate the findings of the desk reviews. Finally, Bloom’s Taxonomy was used to identify the level of competencies possessed by graduate QSs. The analysed data revealed that the graduates possess all competencies required by the professional organisations, except Capital allowance, Corporate recovery and insolvency and Special assessment. Further, they possess Building surveying, Property development and Surveying and levelling, beyond the requirements of the professional organisations.