Examining Pedagogical Approaches in Developing Employability Skills in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The construction industry today and its employers are gradually coming to terms with the fact that its activities and processes require fully equipped graduates who are furnished with the right skills to succeed after graduation. However, with the continuously evolving nature of the industry coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, the pressure on higher education to review and revamp its existing curricula has intensified in recent times. The process of developing employability skills among students can be reflected in the pedagogical approaches employed by institutions of higher learning. This research aims to determine the various pedagogical approaches that can be employed by institutions of higher learning to develop employability skills among built-environment students as the world grapples with the after-effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative Delphi approach was adopted to validate these approaches. Fourteen experts completed a two-stage iterative Delphi study process and reached a consensus on all 16 approaches identified. This study found that multidisciplinary teaching approaches, work-integrated learning, and placement opportunities are the most significant approaches in developing employability skills among students. It is recommended that universities across South Africa and beyond continue to ensure the inclusion of these approaches into their existing curricula to not only produce graduates who are academically sound but also produce graduates who will fit easily into the ‘new normal’ prompted by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).