The construction manager’s mask : a more purpose-fit selection for South Africa

Abstract

The construction manager requires an educational background, technical skills, practical experience with specific soft skills in the competency domain and a specific personality profile – in order to ensure the success of a project. To enroll the correct profile student for construction management can reduce the probability of skills lost over time. The South African Personality Inventory (SAPI) was used to test the personality profiles of construction management industry participants sample (N = 10). The student group sample (N = 16) included students in their 3rd year of construction management studies enrolled at three different universities in South Africa. The online SAPI personality results suggested a remarkably similar profile between the industry group and the students’ group. The online SAPI personality tests’ main dimension results scored the highest in Intellect/Openness, followed by Conscientiousness, the lowest were Neuroticism and Negative Social Relational Disposition. Construction management students need to do practical work for a year before they start their studies. This will give them a better understanding of the work conditions, pressure and work-life balance associated with the construction industry, as this is not tested in the online SAPI personality test.