Building Information Modelling (BIM) has become an integral part of the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. The 2024 NATSPEC report provides a comprehensive update on the global status of BIM education and its maturity across various countries, including a special focus on the Canadian market. Here’s a detailed look at the findings.
Global BIM Education Landscape
The report highlights a significant evolution in BIM education worldwide, with a strong emphasis on integrating BIM into higher education curriculums, professional training, and industry practices. Universities and vocational institutions are increasingly offering BIM-focused courses and programs, often in collaboration with construction enterprises and software vendors.
Key Themes:
- Standardized BIM Workflows: Development of standardized BIM workflows is a common theme, aiming to create a globally recognized framework for BIM education and practice.
- Practical Application: There is a growing focus on the practical application of BIM tools in project management, structural design, and analysis.
- Soft Skills and Organizational Change: The need for soft skills and organizational change to fully leverage BIM’s potential is becoming more apparent.
- Collaborative Efforts: Collaborative efforts between educational institutions, industry stakeholders, and government agencies are driving the adoption of BIM and construction digitalization technologies.
BIM Maturity by Country
The report provides insights into the BIM maturity levels of various countries. While the number of BIM-trained professionals is growing, the rate of increase is not uniform, indicating that in some areas, BIM education may be reaching a saturation point.
Canada’s engagement with BIM in both industry and education is noteworthy. The report emphasizes Canada’s efforts in promoting BIM through initiatives like the “factory in campus” mode, BIM competitions, and industry conferences. These initiatives enhance practical BIM training and foster industry-academia partnerships.
In conclusion, the 2024 NATSPEC report sheds light on the progressive strides made in BIM education and its varying degrees of maturity across different countries. The report underscores the importance of collaborative efforts and practical applications in advancing BIM education and practices.
