The BIM4Education initiative aims to highlight digital construction developments in a bid to change the image of the industry.

The eighteen month project has been developed by a consortium led by the Neighbourhood Services Company which will now benefit from cash provided by the CITB’s Flexible Fund.

The project’s three main strands are:

• Professional development for teachers with learning resources and support centred around Building Information Modelling (BIM) processes provided by the Universities of Heriot Watt, Liverpool John Moores, Salford, Westminster and the UK BIM Alliance. This will aid the development of a new generation of Built Environment specialist teachers in secondary education and post-16 training to deliver bespoke programmes and qualifications to their students.
• Two Regional Centres of Excellence to showcase Building Information Modelling processes at St Ambrose Barlow RC High School in Salford and the Alt Valley Community Trust in Liverpool.
• Monthly Built Environment roadshows in schools across the UK in which Construction Ambassadors, education professionals, secondary school students and their parents will participate in a raft of activities all designed to increase the appeal of working in Construction.

The initiative is the brainchild of Alison Watson, Managing Director of Class of Your Own, who has spent the last seven years encouraging partners and supporters to challenge misconceptions surrounding construction.

Geeta Nathan, Head of Economic Analysis at CITB, said: “CITB is committed to getting young people, teachers and parents to think positively about careers in Construction.

“This project is a great example of innovative thinking to get kids excited about the incredible career opportunities in Construction.”

Watson said: “Teachers are hugely significant in the race for talent. The need to engage and excite young people about the rewards offered by a career in Construction can only happen if the teacher – often the main influencer – is well informed, knowledgeable and well trained.

“Long term investment in education is paramount, and the BIM4Education initiative offers further genuine support for teachers through some of the most respected organisations in industry and academia.”