Project management skills for new engineers in Jabatan Kerja Raya Malaysia

Abstract

There are several problems related to work readiness of new engineers in project management industry. With little experience in managing project and lack in soft skills, they are expected to become a team member and to manage stakeholders. Although new engineers typically have academic and technical knowledge and skills, they often lack some basic managerial skills, also referred as work readiness skills. The aim of this study is to investigate the level of work readiness and project management skills among new engineers in JKR. The objectives of the study are as follows: (1) identify the project management skills for new engineers, (2) determine the level of work readiness in project management among new engineers and (3) propose the program for new engineers to become competent in project management. The approach of the study will be a combination between quantitative and qualitative methods. Findings have shown that communication and teamwork are the skills needed to be developed for the first-two years’ service with JKR, followed by action orientation skills between three to four years and leadership skill for services more than five years. Findings also indicated that new entrances engineers are not ready with project management. The findings will also be used to improve the existing induction program for new engineers in JKR especially in project management.