An enterprise’s productivity is closely correlated with its people and strategies; therefore, a forceful human resource management system is the most valuable asset of the current century construction companies.

Purpose/design/methodology/approach

Based on a combination of literature review and questionnaire surveys, this paper explores the execution of construction workers training and motivation methods in HRM practices by the survey respondents’ companies and the effects on the companies’ performances. The research was conducted by sending 120 sets of questionnaires to the nominated companies and firms in Mashhad, Iran. A quantitative research approach was adopted requiring the development and dissemination of a questionnaire survey. The analysis method in this research is mainly descriptive and the type of investigation is co-relational study.

Findings

The research exposes some barriers in the training and motivation of the construction workers and provides solutions for the government and companies in Iran. Also, it reveals the effects of unskilled labour on the quality of construction projects in Mashhad.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should be under taken to address how companies and governments adapt to and shape the environmental and organizational settings in such a way that the context optimally stimulates workers motivation and participation in training courses and effects on increasing the quality of construction.