Training and Education: A Different Approach
In this article we are going to look at how the world changed over a few months from face to face working to working remotely. Companies and employees forced to change how we work, training and educating ourselves.
The year is 2020 and everything has changed as we know it and it continues to change the world. The impact of COVID-19 across the globe has made a big impact on our daily lives and working. Many towns, cities, states, even countries being lockdown, and some put into quarantine. Stopping everyone from travelling to work, seeing friends and family, days out or going on vacation. Which means, many of us are unable to go out to work and having to change how we can work.
As part of my job role, I often travel up and down the country working directly with clients to help support their requirements from training on software such as Autodesk Revit, Navisworks, BIM 360. Not to mention, being a technical advisor helping enhance change, moving to a more digital way of working and helping our industry embed Building Information Modeling (BIM) into everyday working. Then, for this to stop everything from meetings in-person being cancelled, training courses frozen as delegates cannot attend in person, and all conferences cancelled.
Now, everyone is being asked to work from home. Restricted travel across the country and world to help reduce the risk of catching or passing on this awful virus. Leaving businesses and employees having to think how we can all work differently. I cannot speak for everyone across the world right now, but this year has been challenging for everyone.
Adapting to the New Norm
Due to the pandemic, many of us have switched from working at the office to working from home. I can hear many people jumping for joy not having to travel for hours a day to get into the office and the same back home in the evening. Then, others not really wanting to work from home at all and others unable to work at all due to their job roles leaving them either furloughed or even out of a job completely.
There are also those who have children suddenly finding the schools have closed and now they are at home as well, leaving you to juggle working from home, looking after their child and even home schooling.
All that said, here are some tips which I have picked that should help you if you are working from home:
- Create a workspace at home. Not just on your kitchen table.
- Get ready for your workday as you would if you are going to work in the office. This can help keep you in a routine.
- Make sure you have all the tools you need. Computer, software installed, internet access, phone, notepad, etc.
- Make yourself a to-do list of the tasks or work to be carried out during the day.
- Take regular breaks. At lunch time get some fresh air. Maybe go for a walk, run, or exercise.
- Make sure you keep in touch with colleagues. Zoom calls, phone calls, and/or text messages.
- Try and avoid the temptation of social media.
A BIG THANK YOU must go out to all those frontline staff in health services, care workers, emergency workers, delivery workers, essential food stores, and takeaway businesses whom have carried on to help ensure those who need care can get it. Thank you.
Digital Working
The current situation has forced many businesses to move to a more digital way of working or move sooner than planned. I.T departments have been much busier than before ensuring the company has the infrastructure in place and all staff members have the hardware needed with the essential software installed. This has also helped software companies allow access to some software for free, extended licenses, and deferring payments for six months. Autodesk themselves ran an Extended Access Program allowing free commercial use of several cloud collaboration products such as BIM 360 Docs and Design available to customers. You can read about it here: https://adsknews.autodesk.com/views/covid-19
We have all probably experienced many more conference and video calls, webchats, screen sharing, and webinars from our home office or make do office on the kitchen table.
Those who have embraced the technology shift and digital way of working during lockdown, and those who have been able to continue working like before. Seeing that embracing Building Information Modelling, processes, standards, and technology and seeing those benefits while getting some ROIs put in.
Training What Has Changed
We have seen many training budgets cut or scrapped altogether, leaving employees to learn whilst working and figuring out how it works out its new tools and processes for themselves. Which as you can imagine, can be worse in the long run. Employees will need to spend the time figuring out how to use or doing something live on fee earning projects, potentially extending the time it takes to do something. There could be project delays, costs incurred and some rework to correct mistakes. I am sure this is certainly not something any company would like to happen.
The other possibility is that work has been put on hold until construction sites open back up, or the client push’s a project back due to financial constraints.
So, this is the ideal time to start training.
Virtual Training
Virtual training is certainly nothing new and many organizations have been delivering it for many years. But it is generally not the preferred option for most.
So firstly, what is virtual training?
It is training undertaken virtually (web-based training), or in a simulated environment. This could be instructors and delegates in separate locations. These environments are to try and simulate the traditional classroom or learning experiences.
Figure 1 – Virtual Training.
This can have several benefits.
Time efficiency – Not having to travel to a location, flexible start, and finish times.
Cost – Training virtually generally costs less, as staff do not need to travel, nor does the instructor. Plus, any expenses on top of this.
Recordable and Reusable – Live training and webinars are possible to record so the content can be used again later. Those who are unable to attend can watch it.
Sustainable – By not travelling, everyone is reducing their carbon footprint.
There are some pitfalls as well.
Technical issues – Virtual learning environments and platforms are subject to technical issues, such as the network going down, the bandwidth speeds, power cuts, and even security issues.
Computer Literacy – Having to navigate an e-learning platform, as well as, learning something new can be overwhelming for some.
Support – Feeling like you did not get enough individual support during the training when training in large numbers.
It is good to be aware of the types of issues you possibly can experience during virtual training. So, make sure the necessary steps or processes are put in place to help prevent them from happening. And do not be put off.
Autodesk Customer Success Learning Hub
This is Autodesk’s new, connected learning experience where you can learn best practices, key workflows, and try out new software features. Each course is short. 15-minute sessions which are easy to follow and you can undertake them wherever and whenever you like. The best part of it is that it is completely FREE.
All you need to do is sign-in using your Autodesk account and select the role/discipline which suits your requirements - Architecture, Civil Engineering, BIM Management, Mechanical Engineering, MEP Engineering, Structural Engineer.
To find out more and get started today go to: https://customersuccess.autodesk.com/
Figure 2 – ADSK Customer Success Learning Hub.
Autodesk Design Academy
The Autodesk Design Academy helps educators introduce students to the world of design with FREE, hands-on supplementary projects and course material.
These courses can vary in length, but these courses cover many different industries and Autodesk software solutions.
To find out more and get started today go to: https://academy.autodesk.com/
Figure 3 – ADSK Design Academy.
Reseller Training
Let us not forget the lynchpin of the Autodesk channel and that is all those Autodesk resellers and training centers who have been supporting Autodesk users for many years. Traditionally, you would attend their formal training courses at their training centers or at your own office. Many of them have quickly adapted to offer virtual training. You can find a list of local Autodesk training centers at the following website. https://www.autodesk.com/training-and-certification/authorized-training-centers
I currently work at a Platinum reseller here in the UK were we quickly switched our course from classroom based, to online, using varies solutions which has been a great success and has worked very well. The delegates we have trained thus far, have enjoyed it, and so have I. We have been doing this internally for years. This is because we are based all over the country.
The other alternative is to sign-up on one of the online learning tools such as CADLearning, Global eTraining, or LinkedIn Learning. These are some to name a few. They are generally cheaper than attending a training center and can be undertaken at any time or anywhere. They also offer support if you need help, but this generally is not live at the time of training. Speak to your reseller to find out more.
Also, if you haven not noticed many resellers have been offering lots of webinars, lunch & learn sessions, and YouTube live classes over the past six months. Why not check out your local reseller’s YouTube channel, website, and blog pages.
Autodesk University
As the current pandemic forces Autodesk to move their Autodesk University conferences online, we don’t have the joy of looking forward to travelling to our local one, or the main one in Las Vegas. Getting to meet everyone across the industry, networking, learning interesting things, and generally having an awesome time. We do not need to sit at home and watch social media while everyone tweets they are having a great time. We can all attend the Global AU 2020 online for FREE. I hope all have registered and enjoy the experience AU offers.
https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/conference/overview
I have registered and will be there tuning in from home checking out the great classes.
Model Production
I would like you to think about this following question a little bit here: “When building a model, do you actually build with the end in mind, or its intended use?” Many of the models I have seen on projects are most definitely not. So, when it comes down to using the model for construction sequencing, often those who are creating the sequencing end up editing the model to allow them to use it. An example could be a floor slab modelled across the entire building instead of split into pours, or it could be a column running from foundation to roof instead of splitting it at floor level. Then there is the final as-built model giving the client/owner/operator a model that matches the actual built building or digital twin.
Generally, there are not any courses out there on this subject. So, speak with your Autodesk reseller or training center to see if they can help. Your company should be learning on every project they undertake. So, make sure you record what you have learned from these projects, what worked, what did not, and what you need to do next time to avoid any mistakes. You can learn a lot from those around you in your teams and on your projects.
IFC Training and Education
Generally, projects will require you to deliver to in OpenBIM format such as Industry Foundation Class (IFC). So, what is IFC? It is an open, standardized digital description of the built environment, including buildings and civil infrastructure. It is vendor neutral and usable across a wide range of hardware devices and software platforms.
Please refer to the following international standard (ISO 16739-1:2020) for more information.
It does appear there are not many who understand what IFC is, how to generate an IFC schema, and how to use it. So, I would strongly recommend first downloading the Autodesk Revit IFC manual and having a read through, as it gives you a good overview. Then, getting some training on what IFC is to help you understand it further. Finally, get training on exporting and importing. Also, IFC files from Revit user or from a service provider who knows how it works. I have seen too many IFC files delivered where the information is incorrect or missing. That generally comes down to the user not understanding how it works.
Quick tip: Make sure you have the latest IFC add-in for the Revit version your using. Autodesk updates this regularly. So, even if you downloaded it a few months ago, it is likely it has been updated again since. Search the Autodesk App Store for IFC. https://apps.autodesk.com/en
COBie Training and Education
Construction Operations Building Information Exchange (COBie) is a non-proprietary data format focused on delivering asset data for life-cycle capture. COBie helps capture and record important project information such as product data and warranties. You may ask why do you need to know about COBie if your delivering structural elements of a building? Well, believe it or not, I have seen some project requirements ask for COBie as a deliverable. To enhance your skills and company’s capabilities, you could learn COBie and be able to check COBie files on your projects. Meaning, you can offer further services and potentially earn more.
Gareth Spencer is an experienced BIM Consultant at Man and Machine (Autodesk Platinum Reseller) in the UK, with a demonstrated history in the computer software industry. Skilled in Autodesk software such as AutoCAD, Revit, Navisworks, and BIM 360. Also certified professional in Revit Architecture and Structures. Speaker at Autodesk University in Las Vegas and London. Follow Gareth via Twitter @TheDarkAsset, on his blog https://garethspencer.com or email gareth.spencer@live.com.
