THIS December has seen another cohort of students complete an intensive Building Information Modelling (BIM) course at BIM Campus Newcastle as they step out into the world of work in the construction industry.
First introduced in 2013 by the UK’s leading BIM consultancy BIM.Technologies, BIM Campus Newcastle is a purpose-built BIM training suite for up to 15 learners, fitted with state-of-the-art hardware and technology.
The most recent intake of nine students have celebrated their ‘graduation’ from the free BIM course designed to upskill young people, which has been funded by Space Group and relied upon sponsorship from local businesses such as RIBA Enterprises and Niven Architects.
Situated in the Northern Design Centre, the campus offers a real insight into BIM within a real working environment where the PCs are equipped with a full range of BIM software and tools.
Space Group, like many others, have identified a lack of digital skills entering the construction industry. To address the issue, the business set up BIM Campus to expose graduates at the start of their career to the latest technology.
BIM Campus has now completed four successful rounds, securing 40 jobs for its students to date, and is due to begin its first pop-up course outside of the region in London in January.
BIM Campus Training Manager Dayle Zieleniewski: “As the construction industry strives to improve and innovate its project outputs; shortening delivery times, cutting waste and reducing environmental impacts whilst doing so with an ever reducing workforce, it becomes alarmingly apparent that a big problem is on our doorsteps.
“Campus is a solution we have developed as a result of our commitment to bridging the skills gap that educational institutes are struggling to achieve. Our graduates enter their new positions with their sponsors understanding their role from day one, with the skills the industry needs them to have to work and deliver on projects going forward.
“With this approach, we hope to reduce the six month delay for graduates to really be able to contribute to projects that we have seen in the past – no longer being held up by software capability and understanding the work they are producing isn’t simply being ‘thrown over the fence’ to the next profession like years before.”
One of BIM Campus Newcastle’s newest alumni, Lewis Duell has already secured employment. He said: “I was sponsored by Niven Architects to attend the BIM Campus course in order to get me up to speed with the rest of the practice in regards to BIM and hopefully bring back some new knowledge and skills from my learnings. My role will be fully integrated into the team, for instance it will involve assisting the Technical Manager with the process of design coordination.
“At the start of the course I had knowledge in using AutoCAD, SketchUp and 3D Studio Max and I had been on Revit once or twice. The teaching on the course has allowed me to develop these skills and I now feel confident going into the workplace in the New Year. I can now model buildings and families from what we have covered and have gained additional skills in site surveying, clash detection, structures and coordination between projects.
“The course has really opened my eyes to how technology is changing the construction industry and what the future will hold for all of the design world. BIM Campus has pushed me over the past six weeks and I believe my skillset has advanced dramatically from what I learnt at university.”
For more information or to find out how to enrol, visit www.BIMcampus.co.uk or follow @campusBIM on Twitter.