Issues:

The challenges in construction

skilled labour shortage
Group Members:
Issues: The challenges in
construction skilled labour shortage
The main reason for this :
 the dissatisfaction over the quality of
education, personal safety and for some, the
political issue seems to have become common
push factors for many Malaysians to pack their
bags and leave the country.
 theyoffer better packages encourage people to
work overseas.
 the poor participation from local youth which
are willing to be jobless rather than involve in
construction industry.
Main Factor poor participation
from local people.
1) Poor career path and unattractive job
 people did not see many opportunities for
training and skill formation.
 the salary was paid according to quantity or by
productivity
 Foreign workers with low skills and poor
educational background are engaged in it make
local people think such work is not for them.
2) Low assuredness of salary and labour
employment.
 Sub-contractor act as indirect unemployment
system which allow main contractor to cope with
fluctuation in demand of labour .
 The main contractor will get benefit such as can
avoid large expenses on permanent worker and
administrative personnel and they do not need to
train the workers.
 Labourers also do not receive any perks and
welfare benefits normally relating
3) Poor working environment and poor image of industry
 accidents are common on construction site until
people think it is unavoidable.
 Labourers in Malaysia are working without fully
provided with equipment and more dangerous .
 accommodation provided for workers are temporary.
 It encourages contractors to establish uncomfortable
places, overcrowding, crude sanitation, uncontrolled
surface water drainage and poor rubbish disposal.
Cont’d
4. Poor site safety/working environment
Unfortunately, when construction workers are injured, it not only
affects their health and livelihood, it poses a challenge for their
family as well. 
On-the-job injuries can lead to expensive medical bills and
treatments, as well as lost income and earning ability if the injury
keeps the victim away from work. Families can find themselves in
very dire financial circumstances if they’re not careful.
Examples of accidents:
1. Falls from high heights or scaffolding
2. Slips and falls
3. Electrocutions
4. Falling debris, materials or objects
5. Getting caught in-between objects or materials
Other reasons:
1. Ageing workforce
2. Change in skill requirements/new technology
3. Dissatisfaction with labour organization
4. Economy change.
5. Geographic location
6. High education level
7. Increase demand of craft workers
8. Lack of job security/high mobility
9. Low wages/salary
10. Not meeting employer expectation.
11. Poor education/training
12. Poor site safety/working environment
Solution of this issues
1) National Dual Training System ( Jabatan
Pembangunan Kemahiran) must be :
 minimising the mismatch issue of quality and
quantity of skilled workers
 bridge the technology gap between industry
and institution
 minimising dependence on immigrant workers
 technology transfer to skilled workers, training
institution and industrial society.
2) Increase opportunities for learning about the
construction sector so that more people can get
the right information about the construction
sector.

3) Provide opportunities for school students to be

exposed to construction work in the field.

4) Develop and assist proactive programs to

attract and retain minority groups of women to
engage in construction industry.
5. By introducing the technical and
vocational skills training and education.
 Conclusion
 Malaysia’s awareness on implementation and seriously consider
research and development have to be part of the country’s
development still at low level.
 There is a need to look deeply at the underlying causes and rethink on
the improvement strategy so as to utilise and maximise the local
talent and workforce.
 As the construction activities involve majority of works that are
dangerous and difficult, the recruitment and retention of labour
become very difficult due to the nature of the work. The lack of
sufficient labour in the construction industry needs to be managed
seriously as it can affect the productivity of the industry.
 Therefore, the best strategy to address the shortage of skilled labour
lies within the program of technical education and vocational
training, because if education and training failed to provide the
labours who is required by the industry, the other issues in
sustainable construction becomes irrelevant.
Issues:
Sustainability in the Construction
Industry in Malaysia
Challenges faced and their causes
1. Financial Constraints
 The contractors not interest implementing sustainable
practice due to the increase in cost which unavoidably
require the investment time and resources.
 The higher cost incurred for importing of the green
materials and technology is a hindrance to the shift
towards sustainability
 Malaysian developers are mainly made up of medium and
small-sized companies are aware of issues pertaining
sustainability, but are mostly financially constrained.
 They preference to build to just meet the regulatory
criteria and to gain optimum profit rather than putting
effort in giving more consideration to environmental and
social aspects.
2. Awareness and Knowledge
 It is important that all general stakeholders in the
construction industry are fully aware of the importance of
achieving sustainable construction.
 This will cultivate interest among them and further serves
as a motivation to pursue knowledge.
 The lack of new knowledge among contractors become
failure in reaching a consensus among experienced
developers and the younger generation.
 The seasoned contractors are not equipped with new
knowledge on sustainable practices while the younger
generations educated with knowledge on sustainable
construction face difficulties in disseminating theoretical
understanding of sustainability knowledge into practice.
 The level of knowledge on the concept of sustainability
among the developers was found to be moderate as there
is a big gap for big companies and small companies
Solution:
 Government effort would play a main role in pushing
the trend forward in promoting the adoption as the
joint effort between the government, nongovernment
organizations and educational institutions to create
awareness among the public on the benefits of
sustainable construction practice.
 Training programs can be organised to increase and
deliver knowledge on sustainability to stakeholders of
the construction industry
 Initiatives in research and development activities may
enable development of knowledge and technology in
sustainable practice
Conclusion:
 In view of this, the construction industry in Malaysia is able
to progress and be more sustainable when the government
and private sector share a common concern and vision.
 The implementation of sustainable methods in this industry
is required to achieve win-win outcomes as to attain
mutual benefit for the environment, the advanced society,
and the economy of the industry.
REFERENCE

 Shazwani binti Ahmad Zaki, Sarajul Fikri Mohamed,

Zakaria Mohd Yusof,(2012),Construction skilled labour
shortage –the challenges in malaysian construction
sector.
 Yoong H. Chan, Brenda C. T. Lee, Jin C. Lee,
(2014),Sustainability in the Construction Industry in
Malaysia: The Challenges and Breakthroughs.