This bachelor thesis is intended to point out differences within the supervisors’ role and contribute in making the role more attractive. At present the information about how the supervisors’ perspective varies on the supervisors’ role and the introduction to it depending on work experience and education is unknown. Further it was investigated why the supervisors’ role is seen as an entrance to the building industry and how to develop the role to encourage the supervisors to stay longer within it.

In the collection of data we have been interviewing supervisors and studying literature. In total we have interviewed 14 supervisors in the region of Jönköping and the result of the literature study has subsequently been used to substantiate the outcome of the interviews. The selection of interviewees was partly based on the supervisors’ work experience and educational level but consideration regarding sex and age was also taken.

The result showed that the supervisors experience their role as a diverse, social and coordinating role and the main work involves staking, preparation for upcoming activities, answering questions and solving problems that occur. Furthermore it appeared that the supervisors’ role varies in work tasks as well as what is considered positive, negative and difficult. Moreover varies the role in the vision of the leadership and the experience of response from co-workers. Although it also appeared that the variations may not always depend on work experience and education level but also on the supervisors’ personality. The supervisors, who have experience from being craftsmen, were considered to have several advantages, for example concerning practical understanding, detecting inaccuracies and delays and that they more easily get accepted by the co-workers.

The result indicated that the supervisors are experiencing their first months in the role differently depending on work experience and educational level. Most of them also believe that there are opportunities for improvement concerning the introduction period. The supervisors who have experience from being craftsmen felt prepared for the role to a greater extent than those supervisors who have an engineering degree. It were primarily those with an engineering degree who feel the need of a mentor but the majority of the supervisors reckons that if mentorship is to be used the mentor should be working at the same place as the supervisor.

In addition, it was shown that the supervisors enjoy their role but the supervisors who have an engineering degree see the role as more attractive than those with a background as craftsmen. Possible enhancements mentioned were improved wage development, increasingly greater responsibility, better economic planning and more variation in the types of projects and tasks.

The conclusions drawn were that the supervisors’ role varies in the aspect of the role itself and of the experience from the introduction period as well as that there are certain requests for mentorship and that there are opportunities to introduce changes which may make sure that the supervisors remain longer in their role.