International Construction Management
6 Credits (ECTS)
International Construction Management
Get 70% back via Tax Credit
€613 refund on this module
Module Description
The construction industry has never been a straightforward one. Each project is unique and the challenges of bringing together teams of people to carry out often complex projects are sometimes daunting.
International construction management is not a new subject because construction companies have been working beyond their geographical boundaries for decades.
Nonetheless, this subject has not become any easier and the immense challenges are still tangible.
Construction managers wanting to work on such projects need to know how to analyse and manage situations where people from different parts of the world come together as a team, bringing along their sometimes conflicting linguistic, cultural, religious and educational values and principles.
Other problems include the environment where the project is being carried out: weather, logistics constraints, local culture and politics, bureaucracy.
Even within local markets, western countries are now seeing mass immigration and imported labour pools to carry out certain tasks and fill in labour gaps. Construction sites where the majority of the workers are not locals is now a common occurance.
Therefore, construction managers, even in local projects, have to face the reality of internationalisation and be able to manage such teams.
Entry Requirements
Candidates who apply for this course must possess one of the following:
- a Level 6 degree in a related field;
OR
- a Level 5 diploma or higher diploma and 5 years’ work experience in a managerial role.
Preference is given to applicants having a Level 6 degree in a discipline related to construction, and a minimum of 3 years’ work experience in management within the industry.
Target Audience
This course is targeted at professionals with supervisory and/or middle management experience in the construction industry who wish to have a more thorough background in the subject in order to further advance their careers , namely:
- Architects and Civil Engineers
- Mechanical and Electrical Building Services Engineers
- Project Managers and Coordinators
- Project Owners
The target group can be extended to groups working within the construction industry, such as logistics managers, maintenance managers and facilities managers.
Career Paths
This programme aims to prepare you for senior posts within the industry, such as that of construction manager, head of the construction department or construction director of any construction organisation both in the private and public sector
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Assessment 1
- Assessment 2
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Additional Info
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be eligible for a 70% refund of the cost through the ‘Get Qualified’ scheme.**
Due to the modular structure of the course, you may also opt to take individual modules as stand-alone. The entry requirements still apply.***
*Prices are applicable to students who reside in Malta at the time of applying.
**Terms and conditions apply.
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the ability to, independently:
- Critically analyse and address the risks and opportunities associated with international projects in construction industry.
- Critically evaluate the administration of the contract to ensure that poor productivity usually associated with international labour pools do not obstruct the progress of a construction project.
- Critically evaluate the construction project environment and the role played by local culture and logistical constraints.
- Critically analyse and evaluate a cultural fit between different groups working in a construction project.
- Critically analyse the legislative and political scenes at the location of the construction project.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:
- Implications and requirements for managing international construction.
- The implications of managing construction projects in foreign countries, with different cultural/ethnic/religious groups.
- The importance and pitfalls associated with proper and clear communications between all parties involved in an international construction, with the added hurdle of some teams being perhaps located in different time zones across the world.
- Assessment of the environment in which international construction projects are carried out.
- The implications of the emerging international awareness of and reaction to living and working conditions of some third world nationals working in foreign countries (i.e. Malta)
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Critically apply different management strategies and tactics with a view to minimizing risk associated with international construction projects.
- Apply IT skills to facilitate communication across a wide educational and cultural spectrum and across different time zones as relevant to construction settings.
- Critically assess contract management teams to obtain and sustain a cultural fit between the different groups.
- Critically analyse and solve conflicts arising during the construction project life cycle.
Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities:
The learner will be able to:
- Critically analyse and apply appropriate management techniques and methodologies when carrying out international projects.
Module-Specific Communication Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Communicate plan of action to key stakeholders during different stages of construction project implementation.
- Communicate effectively across a wide spectrum of cultural and educational diversity.
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
The learner will be able to:
- Improve personal time management and planning skills in relation to international construction project management.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
The learner will be able to:
Navigate through the online learning platform to find assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials etc.