Multiskilled Labor Utilization Strategies in Construction
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 124, Issue 6
Abstract
Construction industry craft divisions in the United States are currently based on narrowly defined skill groupings. The steady demand for improved productivity and the shortage of skilled craft workers call into question this traditionally accepted “single-skilled” strategy. While these craft patterns are prevalent throughout the union and nonunionized sectors of the industry, they are not necessarily responsive to construction sequence or the optimal use of worker skills. Alternative labor utilization strategies may provide increased project performance and may reduce craft shortages through better utilization of the existing workforce. An analysis model is developed in this study to measure the project impact of alternative labor utilization strategies. The model is used to assess four multiskilling strategies on the construction of a $70,000,000 project. Benefits of multiskilled labor utilization strategies were demonstrated including potentially a 5–20% labor cost savings, a 35% reduction in required workforce, a 47% increase in average employment duration, and an increase in earning potential for multiskilled construction workers.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 124 • Issue 6 • December 1998
Pages: 480 - 489
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Published online: Dec 1, 1998
Published in print: Dec 1998
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