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Latest cohort graduate from BIM Campus Newcastle to boost construction industry

December has witnessed another cohort of students complete a 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 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.”

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