EMPIRICAL ASSESSMENT OF TRADITIONAL HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE OF CONSTRUCTION FIRMS IN NORTH WESTERN, NIGERIA

Purpose: Construction firm is fundamental sector of economic; it transforms various resources into constructed physical infrastructure necessary for socio-economic development. It embraces process by which physical infrastructures are planned, designed, produced and repaired or maintained. In order to effectively carry out those responsibilities, construction firms are expected to formulate and put in place HRD strategies that vigorously develop their human resource effectively, being fundamental factor of production. Therefore, the study assesses traditional Human Resource Development (HRD) strategies in North-western, Nigeria construction firms.

Design/methodology/approach: The primary data for the study were collected through field work, involving the administration of a structured questionnaire to elicit information available and categories of HR in the construction firms in Northwestern Nigeria, traditional Human Resources Development strategies adopted by the firms. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tools.

Findings: The study revealed that, predominant HR in the sampled construction firms was bricklayers' and. concrete technologist, while professional staff among the HR categories was given more priority. With respect to traditional HRD strategies practice in the study area, training programme and mandatory training of new employees were the major HRD strategies in practice. However, production skill was rated higher among the HRD practice by construction firms.

Originality/value: The study concludes that HRD practice was found very fair, this is because construction firms are business oriented. The study recommends that government and professional body should pay more attention on construction firms operation, particularly on HRD.