Newsletter of the College of Architecture at Texas A&M University
A paper examining the benefits of professional credentialing in the construction industry earned its author, a Texas A&M construction science student, a trip to Paris last summer, where she presented her work at an international research symposium.
Jenny Casmus, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Construction Science last May, prepared the paper, "Constructing a Professional Credentialing Scheme for the Construction Industry," during an independent study course capping her senior year. An expert jury selected the paper for presentation at the COBRA 2010, the annual Construction, Building and Real Estate Research Conference held by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Sept. 2-3 at Dauphine University in Paris.
"Jenny did an incredible job with her paper and presentation," said Melissa Daigneault, assistant professor of construction science, who also made the trip. "Jenny reflects and projects wonderfully for our department and college, and I am extremely proud of her."
COBRA provides a platform for the dissemination of original research and new developments in construction management, built asset and property industry.
Papers submitted for presentation at the COBRA conference are subjected to rigorous peer review by a jury of academicians from the construction and building disciplines.
Casmus’ paper explored the benefits of establishing a professional credentialing process for construction contractors, similar to that of architects and engineers,
"Contractors are the only members of the project team who are not generally considered 'professionals,' either by the public or by the law," she wrote.
Though contractors once did little more than construct projects, she said today they coordinate a plethora of subcontractors and material suppliers, prepare and coordinate shop drawings, practice value-engineering, and coordinate, if not lead, green building initiatives.
"Additionally, with the increased use of electronic documentation and building information modeling, contractors are routinely involved in projects from the earliest phases, actively participating in project definition and design," she said.
She concludes that, after examining various crediting options available, that the profession would benefit most from active efforts to increase certification of individuals.
"Certification of contractors offers the greatest benefit to the industry both legally and in terms of public perception," she said.
- Posted: Sept. 30, 2010 -
Contact: Phillip Rollfing, prollfing@archone.tamu.edu or 979.458.0442.
