BIM Training Programme award Finalist: Willmott Dixon Interiors

Willmott Dixon Interiors established a strategy based around how BIM and Digital Construction can support internal teams, supply chain partners and customers, we also used this to engage with young people from all backgrounds to choose a career in construction.

We did this by building awareness of BIM and Digital Construction through delivering training programmes and demonstrated the opportunities this can provide. Engaging with young people also aligned with our social value initiatives to positively shape and improve the communities in which we operate.

With Digital Construction and BIM becoming the changing face of the construction industry, we realised the importance of upskilling our teams and partners to ensure we can respond to the needs of the industry. In the past, there has been some reluctance to these changes due to the lack of knowledge which our training programme helped to overcome. In addition, within the interior fit out and refurbishment sector, BIM and Digital Construction present a number of other challenges when compared to a new build, these challenges were addressed through the training we provided.

We also recognise our responsibility to attract the next generation into the construction industry and develop their skill set for the future. Our training demonstrated the various roles available in the industry and the impact digital has on the future. This led to many young people interested in considering a career in construction.

The training programme was made up of four different initiatives to achieve successful integration of Digital Construction. This included:

1. Upskilling our people with three distinct training modules.
2. Bespoke training for supply chain partners to build their knowledge and confidence
3. Bespoke training to increase knowledge and awareness for customers.
4. Presentations tailored for young students to build their understanding of the various roles available in the construction industry and demonstrations of how digital construction is changing the industry through the use of VR.

By implementing the training programme we were able to meet our key objectives. Our teams, partners and customers were able to get a better understanding of our Digital construction and BIM requirements and help us work collaboratively to deliver the process successfully. In doing this, we were also able to overcome the digital construction challenges faced in the interior fit out industry and deliver better quality results.

Through engaging with young people we were able to open doors to various opportunities available in the construction industry by using digital construction to gage their interest.