The construction industry has been dealing with a talent shortage on a global scale. There is simply more work than there are available workers, leaving many general contractors, SMBs, subcontractors and design firms scrambling to find talent. This deficit also places a burden on prospective workers as they are expected to make a visible and positive impact as soon as they are hired. As such, they need to be prepared to hit the ground running in a fast-paced industry driven by deadlines and owner expectations. Education is the key to preparing these students, and the Bluebeam Academic Program helps develop resources and programs for students, schools and firms alike.
Technology Access
One of the ways the Bluebeam Academic Program serves the future of the industry is by providing access to Bluebeam Revu to universities including Columbia, Yale, Auburn, Colorado State, as well as schools abroad like the Technical University of Denmark. When faculty add Revu to their curriculum, students can learn the latest technology solutions being deployed in the industry, making them more desirable candidates once they enter the job market. This exposure also plays a role in establishing internship experiences as well. “On my internship job, one of the assistant supers hadn’t had much experience with computers and by the end of it, he was doing diagrams and writing RFIs using Bluebeam. It was definitely a great way that we connected,” said Sam Kinsey, recipient of Bluebeam’s CMAA-affiliated scholarship for 2017. These interactions often lead to mentorships from former students who have become industry leaders like Barton Malow Project Manager Taylor Friebertshauser Bagby, a former Purdue University alum who volunteers time at the school by giving tutorial lectures to students while keeping faculty abreast of the latest in-field technologies. A two-way street, this relationship allows the school to offer the latest in tech education and gives the students a place to build relationships with industry leaders.
Scholarships
Bluebeam Academics also awards a yearly scholarship to one deserving student. Civil engineering student, Clio Chen, discusses her take on receiving her 2017 scholarship as she continues her journey toward industry innovation. “It’s about being valuable however you can,” she said. “When you think about applying that with a sense of humility toward the traditional sense of construction and engineering, you’re leading the way toward the future in terms of helping yourself and helping others.” With help from Bluebeam, students like Chen are developing the skills they need to innovate on the building projects of the future.
Competition
From competitions to intern days,the Bluebeam Academic Program sponsors a variety of industry events aimed at encouraging and facilitating student/mentor relationships, as well as employment opportunities. Some of the events sponsored by Bluebeam include Bluebeam Intern Day, Bluebeam Apprentice Day and Revu workshops at ASC regional conferences. These events allow Bluebeam to examine how the company’s technology adoption is progressing, while also giving our project development teams a birds-eye view on how students and professionals use the software.
With the combined effort from Bluebeam Academics and the construction industry, aspiring construction professionals can stand out among the crowd and use their talents to help push the entire industry forward. Learn more about Bluebeam Academics.
