Purpose: The construction industry, characterised by its dynamic nature, demands graduates equipped with diverse skills beyond academic proficiency. Recognizing the significance of employability skills, this study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the employability skills to meet the evolving demands of the construction industry. Design/methodology/approach: Utilizing Web of Science, this review focuses on articles published from 2013 to the research completion date (December 2023), resulting in the selection of 94 highly relevant papers. Then, a combination of bibliometric analysis and in-depth content analysis of the top ten most-cited papers was conducted to examine research trends in this field. Findings: “Soft skills” are identified as the strongest citation bursts between 2014 and 2016. And the emerging research frontiers are adaptability, communication skills and contextual supports. Additionally, the employability skills identified from this study can be categorized into seven groups: profession; personal capital; soft skills; career proactivity and adaptability; personality; emotional intelligence and work ethics. Originality/value: This research advances the body of knowledge on employability skills in the construction field. Moreover, the findings offer actionable strategies. For example, for educators, this includes incorporating real-world case training and workshops focused on developing these skills; for researchers, it suggests focusing on digital skills; for policymakers, it recommends creating work-integrated learning opportunities.

Climate and energy crises are increasing worldwide. Community-led humanitarian engineering interventions for localized sustainable development and disaster resilience could support populations at risk. This article presents findings from a study that investigated flood response and energy needs of two riparian communities in Greece and Nepal. The findings indicate that the co-development of a hybrid unit for hydropower generation and flood warning is most preferred. This prototype could find applications in different riparian areas as either a main or supplementary system.

Humanitarian engineering offers substantial benefits to interventions for socio-economic development and disaster risk resilience, particularly amongst vulnerable populations facing energy insufficiency and extreme weather events in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Localised hydropower and early-warning applications are reliable and can support such communities. This study presents important criteria and in-depth investigations for small-scale hydropower generators combined with flood-warning systems. According to our findings, 300 W of generated power can provide sufficient coverage for basic energy needs under both normal and extreme conditions. Outdoor warnings such as emergency lights and sirens could increase local response capabilities and save lives during extremes. Our project highlights the use of community-led hydropower as a vehicle for disaster resilience and sustainable development.

The need for reliable energy is an ongoing challenge. Poor energy access, particularly in off-grid areas, constrains socioeconomic development and reduces resilience against natural hazards. With water-based disasters becoming more frequent and intense, it is important that holistic insights are applied to the assessment of community vulnerabilities and capabilities. Humanitarian engineering interventions that combine renewable energy and flood early warning at the local level offer comprehensive solutions, have long-term potential, and promote synergies between community and professional stakeholders. This study examines a community-centered approach to localised hydropower and flood response within a framework of sustainable development. Using a systems approach, we develop strategies that potentially address multiple needs, including the intersecting needs of key stakeholder groups.

Background: Floods and storms are the most common natural hazards. Communities in remote, riparian areas are the most vulnerable in such disasters, particularly when local populations lack reliable energy and early warning systems for hazard response. Our study will investigate energy and flood resilience issues in such communities and use remote methods to enable research continuity in intra and post-pandemic contexts. Methods/Design: A two-round Delphi process will be used to interview 16 participants from Nepal and Greece to understand their priorities and preferred solutions for energy and flood resilience issues. In Round One we aim to understand the current capabilities and vulnerabilities of our focus communities in these areas. In Round Two, we seek feedback on potential options that are either market-available/evidence-informed solutions or co-developed conceptual systems. Remotely deployed semi-structured interviews are the principal method for both rounds. The Round Two structured comparative review also employs choice-based conjoint analysis and SCORE analysis. Discussion: By collecting information from both professionals and non-experts, we aim to understand what options are perceived as reliable, realistic and appropriate for flood-prone communities. The remote research design enables continuity and community access to development-focused research and its outputs, and a flexible, cost-effective approach for researchers and partner organizations.