Changing skills for architecture students employability: Analysis of job market versus architecture education in Egypt

Abstract

Architectural Education methods are facing challenges named “21st Century Competencies” which affect the employability of the fresh graduates. Accordingly, several higher educational institutions are changing their teaching methods to equip students with skills that support them with lifelong learning capabilities. This research aims at assessing the current skills that are transferred through AE versus the Architecture Engineering and Construction industry job market in Egypt and to propose an approach to fill the gap between both. A literature review was performed. Afterwards, a questionnaire targeting a sample of 100 fresh-graduates’ and senior students was carried out and aimed at identifying the current challenges facing the integration of the required skills. A 360 degrees’ evaluation was performed to assess the students’ views. In addition, fifteen one-to-one interviews were done with professionals and academics to identify the AEC market needs. An approach was suggested to bridge the gap between teaching and work skills.

Keywords

• Architecture Education (AE)
• Employability skills
• Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC)
• Job market
• 21st century skills