New initiatives aim to develop tech skills in
the current workforce and encourage a new and diverse generation to
consider construction as a career
SAN
FRANCISCO, July 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As part
of its strategy to provide customers with digital tools for a
competitive advantage in the market, Autodesk, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK)
today 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, advance their career and
future-proof their businesses.
The construction labor shortage and digital skills gap are
global challenges. According to the latest annual survey by
Associated General Contractors of America and Autodesk, 89 percent
of construction firms in America are having a difficult time
filling hourly craft positions and 86 percent are struggling to
fill salaried positions. Sixty-one percent of firms surveyed said
their projects are being delayed because of workforce shortages.
Globally, according to a recent Core Research survey commissioned
by Autodesk of 300 construction professionals in Ireland, most professionals attributed their
recruitment challenges to a lack of available skilled labor (59
percent) and a subset of this group (43 percent) believes labor is
available, but company recruitment efforts are unable to attract
the right talent.
To help its customers and the construction industry more broadly
address challenges around the digital skills gap, Autodesk has
launched two new programs: Construction Master Class and the
Autodesk Construction Cloud Learning Center.
Construction Master Class provides online tutorials from
industry leaders that are free to everyone. Hosted by top
construction experts, the videos provide practical insights to
empower 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 like better cost control,
improved quality management and standardized field collaboration
workflows – all through a mix of personal stories, use cases and
examples of "what not to do."
Autodesk Construction Cloud Learning Center houses
easy-to-follow courses free to everyone and translated into five
languages on 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 to
excel 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 enhanced 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.
"As we have all acutely felt, the industry is facing major
obstacles when it comes to hiring and retaining labor and skilled
trades workers," said Ronald
McGuire, program administrator at the International Training
Institute. "There's huge demand not just for labor in and of
itself, but for workers who have digital skills under their belt.
Project-ready professionals need to be adept at using technology on
the jobsite and in the trailer, as well as in the office.
Autodesk's learning resources will enable us to upskill current
members and provide new ones with the right tools to get quickly up
to speed."
"The labor shortage in the construction industry will only get
more dire as the current workforce retires, with about 41 percent
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."
About Autodesk
Autodesk is changing how the world is designed and made. Our
technology spans architecture, engineering, construction, product
design, manufacturing, media and entertainment, empowering
innovators everywhere to solve challenges big and small. From
greener buildings to smarter products to more mesmerizing
blockbusters, Autodesk software helps our customers to design and
make a better world for all. For more information
visit autodesk.com or follow @autodesk.
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SOURCE Autodesk, Inc.