Enhancing the Graduates’ Employability and Career Development Through Building Information Modelling Intensive Training

Abstract

Building Information Modelling (BIM) is an emerging technological process which highly promotes a better collaborative working environment in the Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC) industry. It is essential that the Higher Education (HE) sector innovates its education system to integrate between different disciplines in the AEC industry to encourage the adoption of BIM. In conjunction with this, BIM Intensive Training was conducted for a selected number of final year undergraduate students at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia. They were assigned a real time construction project, utilizing BIM software applications for model authoring, model review, 4D modelling and project coordination. It was observed that the participants were able to overcome various challenges through information sharing and team collaboration. A BIM coordination workflow was produced during the training to assist them in organizing their work. Although their existing knowledge of BIM and their skills using the software applications were quite limited, they were capable in learning expeditiously as the assignment provided them with real-world problems. A year after the training, more than half of the participants agreed that the training had helped them to secure their employment and excel in their current involvements in BIM-based projects. However, due to the current scenario many firms are yet to embrace BIM, there are participants who could not utilize the training. Hence, the establishment of a dynamic and continuous collaboration between professionals and HE sector is the way forward in transforming the traditional structure of AEC industry into a more collaborative and technological approach.

Analysis of Skills Needs for Future Architecture Graduates of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in Malaysia: A Thematic Review Paper

“…Qualitative Findings ). The increasing uptake of BIM in the AEC industry necessitates construction players to have strong BIM expertise and knowledge in using specific software applications (Ismail et al, 2019). Specifically, the individuals involved need to improve their technical skills in using Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Naviswork Manage, and Microsoft Project.…”

“…According to Hodorog et al (2019), the construction industry prefers to recruit future employees with intensive conceptual knowledge of BIM rather than those with mere BIM application skills. Therefore, the inclusion of intensive training in BIM in the university curriculum can provide graduates with better understanding of the BIM process hence improving their knowledge of the technology and processes (Ismail et al, 2019). The knowledge gained will lead them to better future career development in BIM construction.…”

“…Previous researchers have also raised the issue of lack of knowledge on BIM software tools among graduates. According to Ismail et al (2019), most graduates have low existing skills and knowledge in using BIM software tools applications, such as Autodesk Revit and Navisswork Manage Software. Graduates need to know the operational tools for creating a model and analysing the effective collaborative of BIM model (Sampaio, 2014).…”

“…In another study, Zhao et al (2015), as cited by Elliott et al, (2019) found that the skills of maneuvering BIM and related technology are the skill sets most expected by the industry. Another recent study by Ismail et al, 2019) also highlighted that graduates with good technical skills in using Autodesk Revit, AutoCAD, Naviswork Manage, and Microsoft Project could benefit from future employment. Nevertheless, the skills mentioned are still lacking among architectural graduates and particularly discussed scantily in the existing literature.…”

“…The final skill, written communication, is important because in construction projects, intents and requirements are communicated through writing. Graduates will improve their communication and team management skills with comprehensive and intensive BIM training prior to entering the industry (Ismail et al, 2019). According to Shelbourn et al (2017), an individual should know how to interact with other BIM members in order to communicate their tasks more efficiently.…”