Launching a new phase in the field of Construction Management at UM

The Department of Construction and Project Management within the Faculty for the Built Environment, has understood arising pressures in the emerging built market and, over the past two years has worked consistently in meeting key stakeholders to understand the teaching needs that can be provided by the University of Malta towards this trade.

Within the scope of creating a new Bachelors in Construction Management for young people aspiring for a career in the industry, as an alternative to becoming a perit, different phases were launched, including a Diploma Course in Construction Management, in collaboration with the Building and Construction Authority.

The objective of this course is to address a serious lack of trained managers of the construction process, in an industry which has a major role in Malta’s economy.

Projects in the construction industry have become more complex, as well as more technically demanding. Formal training of operators in the construction industry is lacking, particularly for site construction management.

At the same time, the Department is conscious of the fact that there exists a cohort of “construction managers”, working in the industry, who have acquired their management skills, by virtue of the practice of their particular construction skill, over a number of years.

The Department believes that the skills of such operators – obtained from valuable, but potentially out-dated experiences, needs to be valorised, and enhanced. 

The Department also believes that it is necessary to build up a cohort of new “construction managers”, who choose to take up such a profession, after a period of formal training, by offering new career paths to our young people.

Prior learning or experience, will be recognised for the purposes of admission. The course will be offered on a part-time basis, with 60 ECTS being spread over two years, to allow candidates to combine studies with their on-going employment.

A Certificate in Construction Management will be offered to those candidates who may want to stop their studies after the first year. Technical staff employed by the Building & Construction Authority, following this course, will be sponsored by the same authority. Other candidates can receive 70% of the course fee back through the Get Qualified Scheme, once they complete their studies.

The format of the proposed studies is obviously different from those traditionally offered by the Faculty, and indeed by the University, but the Department of Construction and Project Management sees this pioneering experience as potentially a game-changer in the future of the industry.