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Proposed Model of Sustainable Construction Skills for Engineers in Chile

Author

Listed:
  • Hugo Valdés

    (Centro de Innovación en Ingeniería Aplicada, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3605, Chile)

  • Christian Correa

    (Centro de Innovación en Ingeniería Aplicada, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3605, Chile)

  • Felipe Mellado

    (Centro de Innovación en Ingeniería Aplicada, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca 3605, Chile
    School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, Pariser Building, Manchester M13 9PL, UK)

Abstract

The training of engineers in sustainable construction (SC) is becoming increasingly studied, since sustainable construction not only improves the quality of life of people, but also provides comprehensive solutions to the environmental problems we face today and thus takes care of the needs of future generations. This research is in line with the National Strategy for Sustainable Construction (NSSC) from the Chilean Government. One of the NSSC challenges is the training of engineers capable of adapting to the SC requirements. Although the competences in sustainability for the training of engineers has been discussed in other researchs, it has not been specifically in sustainable construction and it have not been grouped in a model that considers their degree of importance. The purpose of this article is to present a conceptual model can be used to design and evaluate engineering training programs in SC. The methodology to establish the skills and the proposed training model consists of three stages: Theoretical Phase, Methodological Phase and Validation Phase (surveys and interviews). 113 professionals who performed activities related to SC answered the survey. Interviews were conducted with five experts in training in different SC aspects. Three global skills are identified as: Sustainable Evaluation, Sustainable Construction Certification, and Sustainable Facility Management. In addition, the degree of importance of skills associated with these global skills was identified and assessed. There are five skills necessary for the future engineer, among them, two stand out: teamwork (collaborative) and ethics. Finally, the order of importance of the topics in SC is: energy, environment comfort, water, waste, and construction materials. A future investigation is recommended to apply the proposed conceptual model to current engineering training programs, both national and international.

Suggested Citation

  • Hugo Valdés & Christian Correa & Felipe Mellado, 2018. "Proposed Model of Sustainable Construction Skills for Engineers in Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-19, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3093-:d:166690
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Isabel Ortiz-Marcos & Luis Ignacio Ballesteros-Sánchez & Araceli Hernández Bayo & Rocío Rodríguez-Rivero & Gwenaelle Guillerme, 2021. "Assessment of Global Competence of Engineers for a Sustainable World. Evidence from TA VIE Project," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    3. Sepehr Hendiani & Huchang Liao & Morteza Bagherpour & Manuela Tvaronavičienė & Audrius Banaitis & Jurgita Antucheviciene, 2020. "Analyzing the Status of Sustainable Development in the Manufacturing Sector Using Multi-Expert Multi-Criteria Fuzzy Decision-Making and Integrated Triple Bottom Lines," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Marcos Vinicius Bueno de Morais & Viviana Vanesa Urbina Guerrero & Edmilson Dias de Freitas & Edson R. Marciotto & Hugo Valdés & Christian Correa & Roberto Agredano & Ismael Vera-Puerto, 2019. "Sensitivity of Radiative and Thermal Properties of Building Material in the Urban Atmosphere," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-15, December.

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