Promoting Self-Employment in the Building Construction Industry Through an Integrated Competency-Based Learning Model

Abstract:

The persistent rise in graduate unemployment has become a major socio-economic challenge in developing countries, particularly in Nigeria, where the formal labour market has become increasingly incapable of absorbing the growing number of graduates. The building construction industry presents enormous opportunities for self-employment through contracting, consultancy services, project management, building maintenance, and specialized construction trades. However, many graduates of Building Technology Education programmes lack the technical, entrepreneurial, workplace, and digital competencies required for successful enterprise establishment and sustainability. This study examined the role of an Integrated Competency-Based Learning for Self-Employment Development (ICBLSED) Model in promoting self-employment in the building construction industry. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study was conducted in public universities in Southern Nigeria offering Building Technology Education programmes. The population comprised 186 lecturers, and a census approach was adopted. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions, while independent t-test was used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings revealed that technical, entrepreneurial, workplace, and digital competencies significantly influence self-employment readiness and enterprise sustainability. The study concluded that an integrated competency-based learning model provides an effective framework for preparing Building Technology Education graduates for sustainable self-employment in the building construction industry.