Written by The story from Kenya describes how a programme is providing young women from technical institutions with practical BIM training, certification, and work experience. It shows how access to opportunity, combined with digital tools, can open new pathways for women and other underrepresented groups in the construction industry.
Limited access to training, mentorship, and industry-relevant experience has historically constrained female participation in construction and engineering roles. Addressing this gap is essential not only for improving gender equality, but also for building a more capable and diverse workforce across the AECO sector.
From Training to Real-World Experience
The story highlights how HiCAD Africa, in partnership with Autodesk and GIZ, is helping to address this challenge through the Build4Skills programme. The initiative equips young women with digital design skills that are directly aligned with industry needs.
Participants are trained in Revit, Civil 3D, AutoCAD, and BIM workflows, combining theoretical learning with hands-on practical experience. A key part of the programme is the opportunity to complete industrial placements with leading companies, where participants gain exposure to real projects and professional workflows.
This practical approach helps build confidence and ensures that learners are not only trained, but also ready to contribute in a professional environment.
Creating a Sustainable and Inclusive Talent Pipeline
Many graduates have already secured employment, demonstrating how programmes like Build4Skills can create a sustainable pipeline of skilled talent for the construction industry.
Empowering women with digital and BIM skills has the potential to transform both individual careers and the wider AECO sector. By bridging the gap between education and industry, Build4Skills is helping organisations build more inclusive, competent, and innovative teams, while setting a strong example for gender equality and workforce development in Kenya and beyond.
About HiCAD Africa
HiCAD Africa is an Autodesk Authorized Training Center based in Nairobi, Kenya. It specialises in BIM Consultancy, focused on empowering AECO companies through innovative Building Information Modelling (BIM) solutions. It is dedicated to empowering professionals and students with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their careers, providing hands-on, practical experience with industry-leading software tools which are led by certified instructors.
