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Labour in Construction (ABPL90332)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
July
Email: vfrancis@unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | July |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The construction industry is not only one of the largest employment sectors globally but also one of the most dynamic and complex industrial settings. The industry relies heavily on the skill set of a wide range of workers who are employed within diverse industry settings. This subject investigates the effective management of construction’s most important resource – its people. Overall it explores the importance of human resource management (HRM) in order to develop a high level of consistency between organisational and individual needs.
The subject begins by looking at contextual factors which influence the supply of workers and the management of this resource. A history of industrial relations, as it relates to construction, is provided along with an examination of industrial relations on construction projects today. Employment legislation as it applies in the Australian context is also presented. Individual and team based theories and models of organisational behaviour are then examined and human resource management theories and their key functions are presented providing students with current theoretical approaches to people management. Issues specific to the construction industry such as communication and teamwork; conflict management, negotiation and resolution; employee motivation and retention; organisational and project cultures; ethics and ethical behaviour; equal opportunity and diversity; work-life balance; career development and mentoring are also covered. This subject covers briefly some aspects of occupational health and safety (OHS) of workers (for instance psychological risks) but not issues such as legislation, statutory responsibilities of employers or current theories within OHS management.
Note: Students are expected to complete up to 100 pages of course readings and any other course preparation as outlined on the LMS. The LMS will become available earlier than the start date of the subject.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Understand the a range of human resource management concepts related to contemporary management practice within construction.
- Appreciate the different viewpoints of managers and construction workers on employment issues.
- Compare and contrast different approaches to the management of people in construction.
Generic skills
Upon successful completion of this subject students will have had the opportunity to develop the following generic skills:
- Advanced analytical skills
- Research skills
- Communication skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team working skills
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into one of the following courses:
MCCM-200EP Master of Construction Management (200 points)
MC-CONMG2Y Master of Construction Management (200 points)
OR
Admission into one of the following courses:
MC-CM Master of Construction Management (300 points)
MC-CONMG3Y Master of Construction Management (300 points)
AND
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ABPL90313 | Management of Construction | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
And
One of the following subjects
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ABPL90292 | Construction of Buildings | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
ABPL90324 | Materials and Structures | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
ABPL90025 | Project Management in Practice | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Assignment involving individual component (due in week 2) and group presentation (from week 3 onwards during teaching period). This involves a critique of readings relating to various labour topics and is equivalent to 1000 words (20%). Each student will work on one topic only and timing of presentation will depend on student topic selection.
- Essay equivalent to 2000 words (40%) due in week 6, focussing on a contemporary industrial relations issue within construction employment.
- Two hour examination equivalent to 2000 words during week 7 (40%) focussing on a wide range of human resource management issues covered during the course relating the employment of construction workers and construction staff in the construction industry.
Hurdle requirement: A minimum mark of 40% has to be achieved in the examination in order to pass this subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- July
Principal coordinator Valerie Francis Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 36 hours Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 21 July 2017 to 19 August 2017 Last self-enrol date 27 July 2017 Census date 4 August 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 25 August 2017 Assessment period ends 8 September 2017 July contact information
Email: vfrancis@unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Specialisation (formal) Project Management Informal specialisation Building Informal specialisation Corporate Management Informal specialisation Building Systems and Trade Specialties Informal specialisation Project Management Informal specialisation Policy Informal specialisation Project Management Informal specialisation Policy Informal specialisation Building Informal specialisation Project Management Informal specialisation Research and Development Informal specialisation Building Informal specialisation Building Systems and Trade Specialties Informal specialisation Corporate Management - Links to additional information
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Last updated: 3 November 2022