The Contractors Association “Bonei Ha’aretz” initiated and is leading a new degree in collaboration with the state and academia: "Bachelor’s Degree in Construction Company Management" - or as the public will fondly call it: "Contractor’s Degree" - a study program that combines professional knowledge from engineering, construction Planning, and project management with advanced business and management tools.

The Housing Ministry and the Contractors Association are promoting an academic degree that will train managers for the construction industry and make it a baseline requirement in large projects. The goal: To reduce failures, shorten timelines, and improve safety on construction sites.

Currently, the situation on construction sites is unreasonable: Engineers, practical engineers, and site managers continue to enter the field without proper management training, while those leading the project - who bear the heaviest responsibility - are forced to learn "on the job." The direct result: Projects stall, timelines break, and costs to the public only rise.

The Construction and Housing Ministry and the Contractors Association aim to change this situation with a new Bachelor’s degree in Construction Company Management - a four-year program that combines academic studies with practical field training. The program is designed to train contractors and managers for work in the modern construction world, integrating legal, economic, regulatory, and operational knowledge.

Will It Work?

Alon Yunyan, CEO of the construction company MSB, explains that the success of the initiative depends on three key conditions:

• Genuine connection to the field - no more isolated theoretical courses, but close collaboration with construction companies on practical content, daily dilemmas, and team management on site.

• Clear and legal definition of the role - including the types of projects required and the scope of responsibilities in relation to other positions.

• Continuous monitoring and updating - including a system of professional development in emerging trends such as digital safety, sustainability, and technological project management tools.

Managing a Construction Project

Ilan Gordo, treasurer of the Contractors Association “Bonei Ha’aretz,” who represented the association before the Contractors Council, presented the program to the council several months ago. The program is being developed in collaboration with academic institutions and will provide the industry with a Construction Company Management degree, granting its graduates registration in the Contractors’ Register.

The construction industry in Israel is at a crossroads. On one hand, it is conservative and traditional, but on the other, it must face new challenges - advanced technologies, regulatory requirements, and a shortage of local workforce.