CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY.
The act of Building can be traced back to the biblical creations. The professionalization of Building materialized when the Chartered Institute of Building (C IOB) was established in UK in 1934. Over a century later, specifically in1967, the profession of Building was inaugurated in Nigeria by the Nigerian Institute of Building (N IOB), as the first Oversea centre of the UK Cha rtered Institute of Building (CIOB). However, the Nigerian Institute of Bu ilding (NIOB) gained its autonomy from the CIOB in May, 1970. After many years of successful and recognized activities, the Institute gained its statutory backing of the profession by obtaining the Builders (Registration , etc). Degree No. 45 of 1989 (now Act Cap B 13, LFN, 200 4), from the Federal Government of Nigeria.
The scope of training a professional builder and the
study of building programme is contained under the current minimum education standard approved by the National University Commission (NUC ) and Nigeria Institute of Building

(NIOB) and Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) guidelines.
The need for retraining of professional builders is occasioned as a result of constant change in technology, practice and management of building production and construction industry in general. In response to this, Ademoroti (1997) sees the need to establish a culture of learning through study and experience, self improvement and commitment to enhance the building industry’s products and services. When counted the numerous importance of construction industry to the na tions economy (Wahab, 2005, Akanni, 2001, Husseini, 1991), one will see the need for adequate training and ret raining of professional builders in the construction industry.
According to Kontagora (1991), the failure of the
construction in this country including the professions, depends on their educatio n and training of all levels, if contracting is to gain prestige and build up a properly trained labour force. He further suggested tha t an area that should be examined is the issue of continuing professional development

(CPD) which should now becomes the focus in the construction industry. Then to keep abreast of new developments in technology and management and also broaden the knowledg e of building professionals, a mix of work experience, and continuing education and training is of utmost importance.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
According to Obiegbu (2001), human resources for the construction industry appear in many varieties, styles, siz es and other attributes; some are of professional status; some technical; while others are skilled, semi -skilled and unskilled. Any attempt to neglect the development and contin uous existence of any of these is detrimental to the overall success of construction industry.
The Nigeria today construction industry has been regarded as an avenue for human traged ies and losses. The sequential incessant of building collapse all over the nation, the poor quality of building works, the high rate of litigation and increasingly clients dissatisfaction all are evidence of technological and managerial mismatch in the construction industry.
Vishwakarma (2008) observed that due to globalizing economy, students pursuing technical degree programs including those related to competence in construction industry, may not be adequately educated to meet the demand that will be expected out of their profession during the next decade in the on going changing scenario worldwide.
Wahab (2005) and Ogu nbiyi (2004) noted that Nigerian construction industry is being do minated by foreign players, leaving the ingenuous contractors with virtually nothing. This can be attributed to technological and managerial deficiency of the Nigerian construction professionals. It is on this pre mise that the construction industry council in 2006, acknowledge and provides the guidance on continuing professional Development (CPD) for individual professionals. Their employers, and the professional Institutio ns in the construction industry, hence the need for retraining of building professionals in the Nigerian construction industry.

1.3 RESEARCH AIM AND OBJ ECTIVES
The sole aim of this research work is to find out the need for retraining of professional builders in the Nigerian construction indu stry. In the cou rse of this study, the following objectives are expected to be met.
1. To find our core areas of practice of professional builders.
2. To find out the areas/skills in which professional builders are in dare need of retraining and updating.
3. To determine the worka ble processes or means of retraining professional builders.
4. To determine the benefits of retraining professional builders on construction industry

1.4 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY.
This study covers only the ambit of the professional builders’ practices in the construction industry. It does not in any way cover other professionals in the building or construction industry but can only highlight such where necessary. It is concentrated on the area of training and

retraining of a professional builder. The study is carried out on professional builders in Enugu State and Anambra State.
Major challenges fac ed in the course of this study include:
🠹 Risk in touring between the two states.
🠹 Locating the builders in their offices and places of work.
🠹 Delay in responding to the questionnaire distributed by the respondents.

1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY .
Nigeria is currently experiencing transformational changes in the management and technologies of construction. There is no doubt therefore, the significance of thi s study. The result of this study is of great value in many ways and dimensions.
For the building profession, it will be a lead way into the areas that required urgent att ention in order to meet the ever challenging global environment in the construction industry. The Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB) and Council of Registered Builders of Nigeria (CORBON) will find this study of immeasurable value for the training and retraining of their members.

The construction industry will be a ben eficiary in the sense that it will identify areas and subsequent means of averting various problems in the industry relating to competencies and skills.
The result of this research if appropriately applied will reduce the constant collapse of building in Nigeria and increase the utilization of indigenous building professionals in the Nigerian Construction Industry.

1.6 RESEARCH QUESTIONS.
The following research questions will guide this study.
(a) What are the core practice areas of a professional builder?
(b) What are the skil ls and competencies required by a professional builder?
(c) What are the means or processes to be adopted in retraining professional builders?
(d) What are the benefits of retraining professional builders in the construction industry?