Architecture students begin their career with formal classroom training, and then must meet on-the-job experience requirements (typically via internships) before earning an architect’s license. In the world of commercial construction, there are many universities with formal bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in various aspects of Construction Management. These include programs to become a CCM (Certified Construction Manager), a PMP (Project Management Professional), or a CPC (Certified Professional Constructor).
When it comes to residential modular construction, however, where do you go to learn? Where can you get professional designations that certify your skills and knowledge? Where do you take the classes needed to obtain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed?
Although the availability of training has long been hit-or-miss, some colleges and universities are starting to expose their design and construction students to offsite modular construction. Most of this is happening at the master’s level. For example, the University of Washington (St. Louis, Mo.), California Polytechnic State University, and the University of Denver are exposing their students to offsite construction through guest lecturers and classroom training.
The value of a university curriculum that includes offsite education is also about to get a PR boost. Students from several universities will be participating in The Gateway Decathlon (the successor to the Solar Decathlon) being held in St. Louis in 2025.
The Gateway Decathlon has chosen 12 international student teams to take part in a two-year competition to design and build innovative housing units. The contest will culminate in a three-week public event in St. Louis that will showcase uniquely designed, offsite-built, fully operational dwelling units that embody innovation and sustainability. One goal is to introduce students and faculty of other universities to offsite modular design, and to help them see the value of including it in their curriculum. The event promises to be a great introduction to offsite for those who aren’t familiar with it.
There is also great value to the student teams that are participating in the competition. They are learning how to source materials for offsite construction and are gaining hands-on experience in offsite logistics and field assembly.
We need more such training. For instance, how do we teach the assembly line/manufacturing factory aspects of offsite construction? Many schools offer degrees in manufacturing engineering, but, while the skills learned in those programs are transferrable to the management of modular or other offsite factories, there are elements of home manufacturing that aren’t a part of the manufacturing of other products.
Transportation, field assembly and other construction issues happen outside of the factory, but are heavily impacted by what is done in the factory. In other words, decisions made by managers, engineers and designers in all parts of the manufacturing operation need to take the jobsite into account.
Where will people learn these jobs? Some education is being delivered by industry associations and trade schools, but the fact is that offsite construction is currently learned mostly through on-the-job training. That must change. While the School of Hard Knocks may deliver lasting lessons to its students, if we want offsite to grow and flourish, we need formal training at scale. Until we get there, offsite construction won’t reach its full potential.
If you liked this article, you can follow Ken Semler on LinkedIn, where he offers daily insights and commentary about offsite construction.
