Advancement of built environment higher education through lifelong learning

The mismatch between graduate skills and labour market requirements has been identified as one of the main factors behind graduate unemployment and employer dissatisfaction, particularly in the Built Environment sector, as reported by EU labour force survey 2008. This paper presents the initial conceptual ideas of a research project titled Built Environment Lifelong Learning Challenging University Responses to Vocational Education. This research projects aims to modernise the Higher Education Institutions to be more responsive to construction labour market skills needs. To achieve this aim, lifelong learning concept will be incorporated within the Higher Education system where focus will be given on Built Environment programmes. The overall research methodology and the research techniques adopted are outlined in this paper. It also shares an initial literature review in the area of skills and employability and discusses the role of HEIs in lifelong learning