This book chapter provides different contributions to the research aspects, because these assessments are based on the training programme offered to industry players, and the contents are very much related to their business and project operation. The course on entrepreneurship training is the first course of its type to be offered in the housing development industry in Malaysia. With an interest in increasing the number of entrepreneur participants in the industry, the course must be of relevance to increase the knowledge of new entrants and existing industry players. Previously, training has been associated with specific traits known as ‘competencies’ 1, which consist of traits, skills, knowledge and attitudes 2. The improvement of these four characteristics will improve the individual performance of a job. These courses have covered all of the four competency aspects, and the survey indicates high satisfaction from the participants.
Although some scholars neglect the importance of human resource management, recent studies have proposed different views on training courses 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 with the assumption that training will generate better products and an enhanced business environment. Training and career development are vital to any firm or organization that aims at progressing. Aside from employees having to attend training courses, owners/managers should also consider expanding the knowledge base through short-term courses. Owners/managers have insufficient time to attend training courses 9. However, given proper time management and the worthwhile content of such courses, owners/managers are willing and eager to participate. Moreover, training programmes for nascent entrepreneurs can have important positive effects on economic development. In Malaysia, which has a housing development industry that is becoming conspicuously arduous, the presence of two-tier relative courses is welcome because the success of housing entrepreneurs can be nurtured without merely relying on personal attributes 10.
The initiative taken by the School of Housing, Building, and Planning of Universiti Sains Malaysia with strategic partners from the housing industry to set up modules on developing and empowering new housing developers in Malaysia shall be extolled and encouraged. Indeed, the dearth of entrepreneurship courses in the housing sector in Malaysia has resulted in a high demand for entrepreneurship education. The REHDA Institute only offers specific courses to existing players in the industry. Such a need is apparent in the number of attendees of both courses, with each course attracting more than 100 participants from various parts of Malaysia. The courses have not only attracted newcomers to the industry, but also existing players who are keen on gaining additional knowledge on project and business management. The housing industry has been acknowledged to have links to more than 100 upstream and downstream supply chains, and these training courses can serve as a good platform for them to meet and introduce themselves. Therefore, the programmes presented in this study can fill the research gap to nurture and nourish new industry players in the housing field. On a related note, the designed activities ensure the sustainability of entrepreneurial activities and supply alternative means for entrepreneurial cognition, intention, and readiness in a profound manner.
The annual increases in the population and urbanization of Malaysia have resulted in factors that highlight the need for increased shelter—particularly in urban areas—thus increasing the demand on developers to provide additional houses and encouraging new players to enter the industry. With proper training and guidance, these new players will survive and will be able to compete with a larger group of industry actors. Housing developers should basically be furnished with knowledge and information regarding current market preferences. Mano et al. 11 believe that training courses provide a concrete stage for entrepreneurs to be proactive in obtaining customers. This step will inadvertently drive the sales margin toward a superior performance 12 because of changes in business practices 13. An in-depth understanding of targeted consumer behaviour and attitude is critical for success, and for creating signature developments of outstanding quality and value. In addition, the existing Malaysian housing entrepreneurs need to have an acute understanding of entrepreneurial orientations in order to succeed in their ventures. Entrepreneurial orientations include confidence, courage, strong willpower, risk-taking, creativity, and innovativeness, all of which can be embedded within cognitive development through short courses, training and mentoring programmes, or even academic seminars and conferences leading to knowledge empowerment.
Henceforth, this trend should be emulated by other academic institutions around the globe in partnership with industry players. With this effort, the gap between theoretical value and pragmatic approach can be further minimized or even eliminated. Based on the perspectives of various parties involved in the programme (either participants or trainers), such courses are regarded as significant to the industry. Moreover, collaboration with local leaders with vast experience in this sector, as well as with the ministries, state government authorities, and other fellow players in the industry, is favourable for providing the required knowledge and information to prospective entrepreneurs. Meanwhile, a strong connection with successful mega players should be moulded for monitoring and mentoring purposes. From what has been accomplished, the mentoring programme has received positive feedback from industry players and has provided a new platform for educators, industry players, and relevant stakeholders to transfer their knowledge and share their valuable experiences with nascent developers. These challenging endeavours have given the university a good reputation and positive image. The training course is continuously being developed for future benefits to the industry.
From the researcher’s viewpoint, the publications on industry training provided by the university and their industry partners are quite limited. This kind of strategic partnership will facilitate a win-win situation on both sides. Having a certificate from the university provides extra value to the courses, while private partners can support the module development. An overly academic approach would not be appropriate to practitioners. Changes in the modules according to new industry updates, rules, and regulations, would require input from private partners. Besides this, action research could be performed on these industry players to enhance the knowledge transfer between these two parties.
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