The impact of work experience on lecturer’s subject knowledge and professional development

Education within the construction and the built environment sector has always been in constant tension with work experience within the industry. Theoretical knowledge, continuous professional development, and work practices should complement and drive each other so that each aspect can better enhance apprenticeship students’ experiences. This research aims to investigate how lecturers can stay current with practices within architecture, built environment, and civil engineering (AEC), thereby improving their teaching techniques and current knowledge of the subject area. The rationale behind this research is the need to improve and update lecturers’ current knowledge alongside valid industrial experience. The researchers used qualitative research with a literature review and case study analysis on Stephenson College to achieve the above research aim. Qualitative content analysis based on a systematic review of existing literature was analysed in this study. The extrapolated data identified how to improve effective knowledge management exchange between lecturers, students, and industrial partners. The research findings established methods of how lecturers can be better informed about current developments within the construction industry. Lastly, the model developed in the study proposes how lecturers and students stay abreast with developments and improve curricula development within the AEC sectors.