Date of Conferral

8-22-2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Public Policy and Administration

Advisor

Ayse Ozcan-Buckley

Abstract

The low retention of civil engineers in Guyana’s public sector has impeded the execution of needed infrastructure projects in the country. The literature reviewed highlighted that there continued to be questions regarding why people leave engineering jobs. Moreover, there was a limited understanding of what societal attributes influenced the problem, while there continued to be a growing demand for civil engineers. The literature specific to government policies influencing the retention of civil engineers in the public sector was lacking, presenting an opportunity to expand the application of the policy feedback theory, which provided a lens for examining retention measures in the public sector. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of current and former civil engineers on how government policies influenced their decision to remain or leave employment in the public sector. Purposive non-convenience sampling techniques were used to recruit 20 civil engineers with work experience in the public sector. Four themes were identified: (a) reasons for working as civil engineers, (b) factors influencing the decision of civil engineers to leave the public sector, (c) factors influencing the decision of civil engineers to stay in the public sector, and (d) a comprehensive policy that contributes to civil engineering development. Policymakers in Guyana and other countries can potentially use the identified strategies to foster a culture that engages civil engineers, leading to positive social change by retaining valuable civil engineers and ensuring quality social infrastructure for citizens.

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