CERTIFIED CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (CCM) – LEVEL 5

Nadzhatul Syamiru Usmaiza Othman, Pengurus, Unit Dasar & Strategik, Bahagian Dasar Personel Binaan, Lembaga Pembangunan Industri Pembinaan Malaysia (CIDB), presented on the certification programme which is in line with the Malaysian Construction Industry Development Board Act 1994 (Act 520).

The CCM session was aimed at motivating and encouraging MIIP members to undertake accreditation and certification programmes organised by CIDB, in order to drive a robust and dynamic construction industry in Malaysia. The webinar provided attendees with information, awareness and insights on CCM accreditation as well as the various areas and job scopes that have the potential to achieve accreditation.

Speaking about the programmes offered by CIDB, Nadzhatul said that the accreditation programme is aimed at creating competent standards within the industry; to ensure compliance with the Act Part 7 Section 33 (1); to assist CIDB to record and store certified construction manager data in a single database; and, to render CIDB’s support towards the elevation of Malaysian construction managers’ competency to a global level. The Act clearly stipulates that skilled construction managers or site supervisors are to be certified by CIDB. Breaching the requirements of the Act is considered which an offence is liable to be fined not exceeding RM5,000.

Nadzhatul was accompanied by Hilme Hj Md Isa, General Manager, Unit Dasar & Strategik, Bahagian Dasar Personel Binaan, CIDB. In her presentation, Nadzhatul explained that CIDB is a government body that regulates the construction industry, under the purview of the Ministry of Works. CIDB was established under the Construction Industry Development Board Act 1994 (Act 520) (Amendment 2011) to regulate, develop and facilitate the construction industry towards achieving global competitiveness. She encouraged the attendees to get a copy of the Act which is available for the reference of industry players.

“CIDB governs the registration, certification and accreditation of personnel involving contractors, construction personnel and even construction materials,” said Nadzhatul.

Act 520

Nadzhatul shared about the various facets of Act 520, which also covers the interior design industry. She explained that building, improvements, dredging, maintenance and extensions as well as demolition is considered construction work.

On the aspect of categorisation of construction personnel, Nadzhatul clarified that this was relevant for personnel involved in general construction work, partial construction, construction specialists, site supervisors, construction project managers and various other personnel involved in construction work.

She highlighted key sections within the Act that are relevant to MIIP members. According to Nadzhatul, Part 1 Section 2(1) stipulates that site supervisors must be well equipped with knowledge, skill and attitude that will provide them unlimited choices when seeking solutions to project supervision problems. In doing so, they must become one of the most resourceful persons – the critical element for project success. She pointed out that under the Act, no site supervisors were permitted to be engaged or employed unless they are accredited and recognised by CIDB.

Those found to contravene Part 7 of Section 33A (5) are committing an offence and are liable to be fined not exceeding RM5,000. Site supervisors or skilled construction workers that are not certified by CIDB and found to be working on a construction site are also in contravention to the Act and are liable to be fined not exceeding RM5,000. She stresses that both employers and employees will have to bear the fines respectively.

Construction Skills And Manpower Development

Nadzhatul explained about the process that has to be undertaken in order to receive CIDB’s accreditation.

Competency Programmes Under Cidb

The programmes encompass competency levels from 1 to 6, whereby Levels 1 and 2 cover general workers and skilled trades; level 3 covers trade supervisors; level 4 covers the supervisory level; level 5 is managerial such as construction managers; and, level 6 involves project managers.

Programmes from Levels 4 onwards are considered outcome-based programmes that encompasses expected attributes, learning outcomes mapping and rubrics.

Methods of accreditation include training and assessment, examinations, as well as recognised prior learning and experience.

The knowledge assessment and expectations for accreditation include understanding, applying, analysing, evaluating and creating. Nadzhatul also shared about the assessment grading and the criteria that were taken into account, as well as the minimum requirement to pass. The minimum passing score is 70%.

She pointed out that the certification was critical and mandatory for construction projects above RM50million, while project managers handling construction projects below RM50million were encouraged to obtain certification. CIDB’s anticipated numbers for certified construction managers is 3,500 personnel with CCM accreditation.

Nadzhatul highlights that there are module differentiation for the various levels of expertise within the construction environment. This goes to show that the level of the content within the modules vary according to the demands of the job roles.

Sharing about the benefits of being competent, Nadzhatul explains that the priority is to ensure compliance to the Act, obtain industry recognition, and employment recognition through certification for career progression. She elaborated that competence also cultivates best practices within the industry while also recognising professional status through certification, contributing back towards the industry as well as inculcating professional practices.

All industry members or partners are directed to CIDB’s website to refer to the Board’s latest amendments and revisions.