Challenges and opportunities for construction education in Australia

The university education of construction professionals is unique as curricula straddle diverse areas, including technology, design, law, management and finance. Furthermore, the opportunities for would-be Construction Managers, Quantity Surveyors and Building Surveyors (CMQSBS) are extensive. A buoyant construction industry is currently fuelling high student expectations. Currently CMQSBS programs contribute over 1000 graduates annually. This paper reports on data gathered in an Australian Learning and Teaching Council grant which, inter alia, showcases innovation and best practice within these disciplines. The findings of some components of an online survey as well as interviews and focus groups are documented here as well as some observations of how these disciplines might be improved.