In its most recent article, ‘Civil + Structural Engineer’ magazine highlights Georgia Highlands College’s newest bachelor’s degree in building information modeling, calling it an innovative degree perfect for training the next generation of skilled labor and workforce in the construction and engineering sector.
From the article “Attracting Next Generation’s Technical Workforce” found on their website:
Georgia Highlands College is an example of an educational institution offering innovative degrees for in-demand career opportunities with the new Building Information Modeling and Virtual Design and Construction programs. Graduates receive advanced training in BIM and virtual design and construction (VDC) technology, enabling them to digitally “construct” projects from the ground up, which is increasingly how projects are being designed to optimize efficiency.
The need for more skilled labor has been evident for many years now, long before the pandemic caused workers to leave the industrial sector – from construction and agriculture to transportation and geospatial. At the same time, baby boomers, which make up a large portion of the workforce, are naturally retiring, leaving a shortage of 430,000 construction workers, according to a current tally by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
As baby boomers retire, there lies an opportunity to attract a different type of worker – one who can easily comprehend and advance the increasingly technical nature of today’s industrial work. This often involves connecting hardware with software and optimizing the data that results to enhance the productivity of today’s job sites.
However, while some candidates are not yet aware of the opportunities that exist, others with the skills may lack the knowledge of the construction industry required to hit the ground running on day one. Luckily, academia and various industry players are seeking to change that by offering innovative programs that expose students to the technical roles available and the specialized skills needed to succeed on the job today.
Students at Georgia Highlands College will now have access to an affordable bachelor’s degree in building information modeling management (BIMM) starting spring 2022 after recent final approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
GHC worked with construction technology firm Trimble to design curriculum for the program. Additionally, Trimble also donated Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) software and technology to the program for use.
Through another partnership with SDS2, a software design company focused on construction modeling, architecture, engineering and construction software and technology have been donated for a new learning lab. The lab features cutting-edge technology for modeling 3D steel detailing.
As a part of GHC’s collaboration with industry leaders, GHC will offer training on various software platforms at no additional cost to the students through its learning lab. Graduates will also complete their degree with several sought-after industry certificates, such as the SDS2 Estimator Certification which teaches model-based estimating for realistic cost expectations.
