Earlier this month we held our Annual BIM Day for the British Army Corp of Royal Engineers, an event which showcased the brilliance of BIM and inspired what could be the next generation of leaders in engineering and construction.
I have always believed in the transformative power of shared knowledge. This year’s annual BIM Day for Royal Engineers is a testament to this conviction. Handpicked from the Professional Engineering Wing (PEW), our attendees were amongst those who have demonstrated their remarkable dedication and expertise by earning their places through an arduous selection process to get on the Clerk of Works and Military Plant Foreman courses to achieve their place in the Corp.
This selection process has a special place in my heart, as I found myself in their shoes in 2007. I can still recall the sense of anticipation and determination as I navigated through the Military Plant Foreman course selection. This challenging experience fortified my resolve and played a crucial role in shaping my engineering career.
Understanding their journey first hand ignites my passion for equipping these budding leaders with the knowledge and tools they will need to thrive in a dynamic industry such as construction.
This year, we opted for a change of scenery, and hosted the event at the London City Institute of Technology (LCIoT), a collaborative effort with Newham College of Further Education. We considered it essential to expose the students to a different environment that breeds innovation and inspiration outside of their familiar surroundings.
Throughout the day, our students heard from Allan Binns, Safety Director for BIM Academy and Ryder, who expanded on BIM’s relevance to Health and Safety, Bola Abisogun OBE, BIM Academy Digital Director discussed Diversity in Construction, BIM Academy Director, Paul Thorpe gave the students a glimpse into the world of Contractors, Ryder Architectural Engineer, Romane Sanchez showcased how digital tools have revolutionised design and me, on what’s BIM all about!
We were fortunate to also hear from Eszter Gulacsy, technical director and sustainability professional for Mott MacDonald, who shared her unique insights on sustainability and the circular economy. And Elliott Crossley, Director of Digital Delivery at BDP, who gave a presentation on the use of digital design in the Palace of Westminster’s restoration, opening the student’s eyes to the application of digital technologies in the preservation of our cultural heritage.
One session that undoubtedly sparked curiosity was on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its impact on digital architecture. The students witnessed first hand the game changing power of digital tools and the pioneering advancements that BIM Academy is making in this arena.
Beyond the presentations, what truly set this BIM Day apart was the high level of student engagement. The inquisitive questions and deep conversations showcased the students’ potential as future discipline leaders. The day was filled with a sense of promise and determination that will shape the future of engineering and construction.
For me, this BIM Day is more than just an event, it is an experience – an exchange of ideas, a demonstration of the potential of new technologies, and an exploration of the industry’s future. It is a day that represented the ethos of the BIM Academy: to inspire, innovate and inform.
To find out more about BIM delivery and how to either start the implementation process, or further embed this into your organisation, contact Andrew Johnson at [email protected].
