As part of its strategy to provide customers with digital tools in the construction market, Autodesk has launched the next phase in its effort to upskill current construction workers and help the industry engage the next generation of prospective recruits. The company's latest initiatives, Construction Master Class and the Autodesk Construction Cloud Learning Center, allow construction industry professionals to learn new skills, as well as advance their career and businesses.
The new programs are designed to help customers and the construction industry address challenges around the digital skills gap.
Construction Master Class provides online tutorials from industry leaders and are free to everyone. Hosted by construction experts, the videos provide insights to support participants with best practices on workflows and career advancement. Construction Master Class allows viewers to hear directly from industry leaders and Autodesk experts on how to deliver critical project outcomes including cost control, quality management and standardized field collaboration workflows – through a mix of personal stories, use cases and examples of "what not to do."
Autodesk Construction Cloud Learning Center houses free courses. The courses are translated into five languages, covering how to use Autodesk Construction Cloud products, including Autodesk Build, Autodesk Takeoff and Autodesk Docs. Learning paths include videos that provide specific and practical instructions on using Autodesk Construction Cloud solutions with digital construction skills, such as setting up project templates, tracking issues, managing RFI and submittal workflows and collaborating with project members. Since the launch of the Learning Center in the spring of 2021, there have been more than 42,000 course enrollments with registration from 134 countries.
Autodesk has also established several other initiatives to help develop tech acumen in current construction workers and encourage a new and diverse set of workers to join the profession. These include:
- The Autodesk Membership Training Provider Program: More than 215 trade unions and industry associations are now enrolled in Autodesk's program that aims to increase the digital skills of members. Training centers in the MTP Program are provided with Autodesk software products, such as Autodesk Construction Cloud and Revit, for an annual subscription license fee. The program's benefits enhance BIM and CAD training efforts at current training sites and allow new sites to offer training initiatives with Autodesk technology.
- Autodesk's Make It Real program: A community education program encouraging young people to apply design thinking to real problems related to construction and the built environment. The program offers inspiration, learning and funding opportunities, including this year, $50,000 worth of microgrants provided through the Building Changemakers Giveaway. Recipients decide for themselves how to apply the funds where they are needed most, such as expenses to support training – ranging from tuition and certification fees to safety equipment and childcare.
"The labor shortage in the construction industry will only get more dire as the current workforce retires, with about 41% of current US construction professionals expected to age out by 2031, according to McKinsey," said Allison Scott, director of customer experience and industry advocacy at Autodesk.
"Our customers consistently voice concerns that though there will be an influx of new projects and roles, the industry is not bringing in enough people to fulfill their increasing needs or grow the right skillsets. Autodesk's construction learning initiatives are being employed to help companies move fast, so they can remain competitive and stay ahead of the curve during the industry's digital transformation."
