BARRERAS A LA FORMACIÓN: EL CASO DE LOS INGENIEROS DE EDIFICACIÓN JEFE DE OBRA EN PYMES CONSTRUCTORAS

Abstract

By investing in training, construction companies can have high quality human resources, adaptable to their technological and strategic needs. In fact, companies can improve their competitiveness through the knowledge, abilities and capacity for innovation of their employees. Following a qualitative methodology, 34 semi-structured in-depth interviews have been carried out with a total of 34 building engineers working as site managers in construction SMEs in the Castilla-La Mancha Autonomous Community. Different types of barriers to training both at the firm and the personal level have been identified. They may be classified into 3 categories: factors related to working conditions, to the companies themselves and to building engineers´ human personal factors. These factors are not mutually exclusive and may come up together. Barriers to training also generate additional effects on the engineer and the company itself. Training programmes in Spanish construction SMEs are not sufficient or well planned. Barriers with most influence are related to work loads and to the companies themselves. Knowledge of training barriers may help managers in designing strategies to avoid them and in developing training suitable for the company and for the employees’ needs.