Looking for Meaningful Work in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry: A Structural Equation Modelling Analysis of Refugee and Migrant Work-Seeking Experiences

Hammad, AWA; Chen, Z; Alkilani, S; Loosemore, M

Looking for Meaningful Work in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry: A Structural Equation Modelling Analysis of Refugee and Migrant Work-Seeking Experiences

Hammad, AWA Chen, Z Alkilani, S Loosemore, M

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Publisher:: ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2023, 149, (7)
Issue Date:: 2023-07-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Hammad, AWA
dc.contributor.author	Chen, Z
dc.contributor.author	Alkilani, S
dc.contributor.author	Loosemore, M https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3189-4655
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-31T07:59:59Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-31T07:59:59Z
dc.date.issued	2023-07-01
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, 2023, 149, (7)
dc.identifier.issn	0733-9364
dc.identifier.issn	1943-7862
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/175146
dc.description.abstract	This research develops and tests a structural equation model of the factors which determine the work-seeking experiences of refugees and skilled migrants in the Australian architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Past studies had identified a number of potential barriers to employment that refugees and migrants face when looking for work, though they are typically treated in isolation, meaning that the way they interact in determining employment outcomes is poorly understood. To address this gap in research, data was collected from 100 migrants and refugees that were either working in or actively seeking employment in the Australian AEC industry. The model, developed through partial least square analysis, provides new insights into the interaction between labor market familiarity, human capital, perceived support structures, labor market discrimination, work-related acculturation and the experiences of securing meaningful work in the Australian AEC industry. The results indicate that the level of familiarity of a candidate with the local market positively influences their perceived support structures, which in turn impacts their work-related acculturation, and opportunities for obtaining meaningful work. Perceived labor market discrimination also influences the relationship between the familiarity of the candidate with the market and their perceived levels of support. It is concluded that policy makers should focus on better integration of skilled migrants and refugees in the local AEC industry via enhancing familiarity in the local market, qualification and experience recognition, raising awareness of work culture, and legal systems and procedures, along with removing negative stereotypes to help reduce the barriers to employment that they face.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	ASCE-AMER SOC CIVIL ENGINEERS
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1061/JCEMD4.COENG-13078
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject	0905 Civil Engineering, 1202 Building, 1504 Commercial Services
dc.subject.classification	Building & Construction
dc.subject.classification	3302 Building
dc.subject.classification	4005 Civil engineering
dc.title	Looking for Meaningful Work in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industry: A Structural Equation Modelling Analysis of Refugee and Migrant Work-Seeking Experiences
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	149
utslib.for	0905 Civil Engineering
utslib.for	1202 Building
utslib.for	1504 Commercial Services
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-31T07:59:58Z
pubs.issue	7
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	149
utslib.citation.issue	7

Abstract:

This research develops and tests a structural equation model of the factors which determine the work-seeking experiences of refugees and skilled migrants in the Australian architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. Past studies had identified a number of potential barriers to employment that refugees and migrants face when looking for work, though they are typically treated in isolation, meaning that the way they interact in determining employment outcomes is poorly understood. To address this gap in research, data was collected from 100 migrants and refugees that were either working in or actively seeking employment in the Australian AEC industry. The model, developed through partial least square analysis, provides new insights into the interaction between labor market familiarity, human capital, perceived support structures, labor market discrimination, work-related acculturation and the experiences of securing meaningful work in the Australian AEC industry. The results indicate that the level of familiarity of a candidate with the local market positively influences their perceived support structures, which in turn impacts their work-related acculturation, and opportunities for obtaining meaningful work. Perceived labor market discrimination also influences the relationship between the familiarity of the candidate with the market and their perceived levels of support. It is concluded that policy makers should focus on better integration of skilled migrants and refugees in the local AEC industry via enhancing familiarity in the local market, qualification and experience recognition, raising awareness of work culture, and legal systems and procedures, along with removing negative stereotypes to help reduce the barriers to employment that they face.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/175146