Author: Knowledge Point

High-performing teams — whether in sport or construction — rely on preparation, collaboration, and continuous learning.

In this article, Tomas Karlsson explores how the principles that drive success in elite sport can also strengthen performance across the AECO sector. Through examples from the Autodesk Learning Partner network, the BIM Realities report shows how investing in people, skills, and structured training can transform productivity, collaboration, and project outcomes.

Sporting endeavour: a metaphor for performance built on people and preparation 

Over the last couple of weeks, many sport fans – and armchair athletes – around the world have tuned into the Milan-Cortina winter games. As a Swede, I’ve enjoyed watching what are common family endeavours, such as cross-country skiing, translate into medal success.

Alongside the glow of national pride, it made me reflect on how the difference between victory and defeat isn’t just about raw talent. Preparation, adaptability, and teamwork under pressure are often what make the difference. Across events including skiathlon, speed skating and snowboard halfpipe, athletes redefined what elite performance looks like through dedication, smart training, and collaboration.

So, what can we take from the pinnacle of sporting endeavour to what we do in the AECO sector?

Just as athletes rely on structured training, data-driven preparation, and effective teamwork to perform on the biggest stage, AECO organisations must also invest in people and their skills to compete for and deliver complex projects. When teams are equipped with structured upskilling, robust digital workflows, and practical hands-on training, they become more productive, effective, and efficient.

Throughout our BIM Realities report, we share examples of this people-led approach. The stories from representatives in the Autodesk Learning Partner network show how, by focusing on people first, AECO organisations can transform productivity, collaboration, and project outcomes.

Collaborating for team and project success

At a sporting level, success is rarely the result of individual brilliance alone. Behind every athlete is a coordinated team of coaches, analysts, technicians, and medical staff, all working from the same plan and the same performance data.

AECO projects work in much the same way. Design, engineering, and construction teams must operate as one, sometimes across different organisations and locations. Project success depends on competence, coordination across disciplines, and the ability to adapt in real time.

This is where BIM plays a critical role. Shared digital models provide a common language, allowing different disciplines to coordinate decisions, resolve issues earlier, and understand the impact of their work on others.

Structured upskilling, aligned digital workflows, and practical training ensure teams can collaborate through the model rather than around it. By equipping them to work confidently in connected BIM environments, friction is reduced, productivity is improved, and complex projects are delivered with greater certainty. 

Inspiring future generations: building the pipeline

Major sporting events often inspire people to take up sporting pursuits. Just as young athletes dream of standing on the podium, the AECO sector has a responsibility to inspire future and diverse talent.

Autodesk Learning Partners around the world are helping to do just that.

One example is the Build4Skills programme, which equips young women from Kenyan TVET institutions with industry-relevant digital skills.  

The Build4Skills programme has been transformative in equipping young women with critical digital skills for the AEC industry. By integrating practical training with industry-standard software and real-world experience, we are not only preparing students for the workforce but also upskilling TVET trainers to ensure sustainable knowledge transfer. – Ruchika Gajjar, HiCAD

Another example comes from Modena Design Centres in South Africa. By introducing learners to digital design early, Modena is helping bridge the gap between education and industry and equipping the next generation of engineers, designers, and technicians with the skills and confidence to thrive.

Early engagement with digital tools like CAD and Revit allows learners to visualise, model and problem-solve in ways that mirror real industry environments. This not only accelerates their technical proficiency but also instils the mindset needed for effective participation in BIM processes. – Karin Smith, Modena

By creating pathways for early careers, apprenticeships, and structured learning programmes, organisations can show young talent that construction and engineering are dynamic, purposeful, and technologically advanced. This helps build the workforce of tomorrow while fostering diversity, innovation, and long-term resilience across the industry.

Building training ecosystems: scaling capability 

As someone involved in the training sector, I’m always curious about how national sporting organisations develop coaching structures that can deliver success at scale. Typically, they build on expertise, often with former athletes becoming coaches themselves, and develop structured frameworks to guide training and performance.

Let’s apply that thinking to the AECO sector.

Instructors play a critical role. They bring depth of knowledge and real-world experience. At Line Practic in Kazakhstan, for example, all instructors are practicing professionals who continue to work on live projects while also delivering training. This ensures course content reflects the latest industry needs rather than static curricula.

Our training is being constantly adapted.  Each new programme launch takes into account the latest changes in the market. We structure the training in a way that ensures learners develop the skills needed to be fully prepared for real work as soon as they complete the course. – Dinara Aitbayeva, Line Practic

This practical experience is essential for anyone entering a BIM-enabled workplace. Integrating into a coordinated BIM team requires not only technical knowledge but also a shared understanding of processes, standards, and collaboration.

Across the sector, train-the-trainer models are helping scale capability.

By equipping instructors or master trainers with expertise in digital construction tools and methods, knowledge can be rapidly cascaded to students and professional peers. This creates a multiplying effect that strengthens the entire ecosystem and builds sustainable training infrastructure.

In Ethiopia, CMI-BIM Training Center has already trained 65 industry professionals, university lecturers, and members of professional associations through a train-the-trainer programme.

Similarly, the model is strengthening capacity in Nigeria through Autodesk Learning Partner Gribs Integrated Services, where participants cascade their learning to colleagues across institutions and training networks.

Parallels between sport and the AECO sector 

Just as athletes rely on structured training, expert coaching, and consistent feedback to convert potential into podium-level performance, AECO professionals perform best when they are supported with the right skills, tools, and collaborative frameworks.

Digital workflows like BIM — combined with practical, hands-on training — act as the coaching and playbook of the construction world. They give teams the insight and confidence to make decisions, coordinate effectively, and adapt when unexpected challenges arise.

Investing in people is not a one-off task. It is a continuous process built around expertise, collaboration, and shared learning.

High-performing organisations create environments where mentorship, training, and skill development are embedded into daily practice. Just as sports teams rely on both individual discipline and collective strength, organisations that cultivate human capability consistently turn potential into performance — unlocking productivity, resilience, and innovation across every project.

Explore BIM Realities

Discover how Autodesk Learning Partners around the world are building BIM capability through training, collaboration, and innovation.

About the Author:

Tomas Karlsson
Head of Channel Services, KnowledgePoint

Tomas oversees the management of outsourced extended enterprise learning programmes, recruiting and supporting a global network of training providers on behalf of organisations including Autodesk.  

As BIM adoption increases, the skills demanded by employers continue to evolve. The story from Kazakhstan shows how professionals are adapting to more complex, data-rich and collaborative roles. It highlights how BIM learning never truly stops — skills must evolve as quickly as the technology itself.

In Kazakhstan, BIM adoption is emerging as a key enabler. It is improving project efficiency, collaboration and long-term asset management. However, technical proficiency alone is no longer enough — employers are seeking professionals who can communicate, collaborate, and think systemically in a BIM-enabled environment.

Aligning BIM Skills with Industry Needs

Line Practic LLP is supporting this transition by aligning training with real industry demands. Courses are delivered by practicing professionals working on live projects, combining technical instruction with practical exposure to coordinated BIM teams. Certification, hands-on experience, and up-to-date curricula ensure learners are ready to contribute effectively from day one.

BIM adoption requires both a technical and cultural shift across the AECO landscape. Teams are moving from siloed disciplines to integrated, collaborative workflows. Early exposure to BIM practices — as well as ongoing professional development — is essential for building a workforce capable of meeting Kazakhstan’s growing construction demands.

About Line Practic LLP

Line Practic LLP is an Autodesk Learning Partner based in Astana, Kazakhstan.  Established in 2006, it has extensive experience of developing and delivering practice-led training programmes which equip professionals with the skills needed to succeed in an evolving AECO landscape.  As well as offering a range of training programmes, Line Practic regularly offers free webinars on topical issues affecting the sector.

Listen to Dinara’s thoughts:

The story from South Africa highlights the importance of building bridges between industry and education. By embedding digital design and BIM principles into classrooms, the next generation is being equipped with the practical skills, confidence, and mindset required to drive transformation.

Digital transformation starts with education

Digital transformation begins in the classroom. While national adoption of BIM is still emerging, initiatives that focus on early exposure to digital design, CAD, and Revit are equipping learners with the foundational skills and mindset needed to succeed in a modern AECO environment. By bridging education and industry, Modena Design Centres is preparing a new generation of engineers, designers, and technicians for integrated, data-driven workflows.

The story highlights the importance of teacher training, curriculum integration, and practical experience. From secondary schools to universities, learners gain hands-on experience with digital tools, competitions, and real-world projects. This approach not only builds technical proficiency but also fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving.

A people-led pathway to long-term BIM adoption

Long-term transformation is people-led. By aligning educational programmes with national digital skills strategies, supporting educators, and providing early access to technology, South Africa is cultivating a sustainable pipeline of talent ready to drive BIM adoption across the industry.

About Modena Design Centers:

Modena Design Centres is a South African Autodesk Platinum Partner and Authorised Training Centre with offices across major cities including Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. Modena helps educators, students and professionals adopt digital design technologies that connect learning with industry, supporting South Africa’s transition to a smarter, more sustainable digital economy.

Listen to Jo-Ann’s thoughts:

The story from Nigeria highlights how capacity building can underpin digital transformation in construction education and professional development, supporting the development of a modern, competitive workforce.

In Nigeria, transnational collaboration is accelerating digital transformation in construction education. With a traditionally fragmented, labour-intensive sector, and graduates entering the workforce without the digital skills required for modern projects, initiatives such as DT4TVET are helping to bridge the gap by bringing together local expertise with international best practice.

Practical training and the train-the-trainer model

The story from Gribs Integrated Services highlights the power of hands-on, practical training and the effectiveness of the train-the-trainer model. By equipping educators with BIM and immersive technology skills, the initiative ensures that knowledge is multiplied and passed on, preparing the next generation of professionals to meet Construction 4.0 standards.

Participants are learning not only software skills, but also how to foster collaboration, reduce errors, and promote inclusivity across construction projects.

Building a globally competitive workforce

By investing in education, infrastructure, and capacity-building, and by leveraging international partnerships, Nigeria is creating a workforce capable of delivering higher-quality, more efficient, and globally competitive construction projects.

About Gribs Integrated Services

Gribs Integrated Services Ltd provides engineering, construction, and project management training and services in Nigeria.  It is an Autodesk Learning Partner and a training centre under the National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) for the training of Artisans and Craftsmen under construction trades. It offers a wide range of courses, including project management, and construction safety, as well as practical skills training in areas like electrical installation, masonry, and pipefitting. 

Listen to Christopher’s thoughts:

Against a backdrop of the modernisation of its construction sector, the story from Greece offers an example of how a coordinated effort can lay the foundations for a digital future. It highlights the importance of BIM becoming a shared language — for the entire sector.

In Greece’s construction sector digital adoption is accelerating, but skills must catch up. The National BIM Strategy provides a roadmap for integrating BIM into projects, yet its success depends on upskilling and reskilling the workforce. This story shows how structured training initiatives, supported by both government and professional bodies, are helping professionals navigate the transition from traditional workflows to collaborative, data-driven practices.

Workforce development as a strategic enabler

The story from FACEtoFACE highlights the strategic value of workforce development in enabling this transition. Engineers, project managers and other professionals are being equipped with the digital skills and certifications needed to meet emerging project demands, supported by both government and professional bodies.

Beyond software proficiency, training fosters a culture of coordination and shared understanding across design, construction and operational teams — turning BIM into a common language the sector can rely on.

Success depends on cultivating talent, embedding BIM into everyday practice, and aligning workforce capability with national ambitions for a modern, efficient and sustainable construction sector.  With high-profile projects like the Ellinikon redevelopment and Athens Metro Line 4 driving adoption, Greece is laying the foundations for a digitally capable, competitive construction ecosystem.

About FACEtoFACE

Autodesk Learning Partner, FACEtoFACE, operates learning laboratories in Athens, Daphne, Amarousi and Piraeus. Established in 1984, FACEtoFACE is a lifelong learning provider, licensed by EOPPEP and the Ministry of Education. With particular focus on upskilling and reskilling Greek professionals to meet the demands of the new digital economy, it aims to provide high quality educational services and support.  Its qualified instructors offer training via in-classroom and online training.

Listen to George’s thoughts:

The story from Cyprus shows how, with the right mindset and culture, small and medium enterprises can drive digital transformation from the ground up. It highlights the critical role of education and the training sector in delivering change.

BIM adoption is as much about mindset and culture as it is about technology. In a market where 2D workflows remain dominant and BIM is not yet mandated, the shift depends on leadership, trust, and a willingness to challenge long-established ways of working. This is not a story of rapid transformation driven by policy, but of gradual change led from within practice.

Protecting traditional values through BIM

The story from ARI EDUCATION shows how BIM can be a way to protect traditional values — improving transparency, coordination, and accountability while maintaining the trust that underpins long-standing professional relationships.

Starting small, focusing on tangible benefits, and demonstrating value in real projects are key to overcoming scepticism and resistance.

The story underlines the critical role of education and training. Universities and training providers become catalysts for change, equipping the next generation with the skills and confidence to move the industry forward.

About Sifa Ari and ARI EDUCATION

Sifa Ari is a BIM and digital transformation specialist. She runs her family construction business, lectures at Eastern Mediterranean University, and is the founder of ARI EDUCATION — an Autodesk Learning Partner in Taskinkoy-Lefkosa, Cyprus.

Established in 2020, the training business provides learning opportunities for anyone seeking to improve their skills in the field of information technologies. Working with both academia and industry, ARI EDUCATION enables people to be productive in their careers by helping them develop technical design and visualisation skills.

Listen to Sifa’s thoughts:

Ethiopia is at an early but pivotal stage in its Building Information Modelling (BIM) journey. As the country begins rolling out national BIM standards, this story highlights the critical role of government leadership, clear standards, and skills development in accelerating BIM readiness across the construction sector.

Ethiopia’s experience shows that while standards create momentum, skills create impact. The introduction of a national BIM standard has brought clarity and confidence to the market, enabling government bodies, industry organisations, and private companies to align around a shared direction for digital transformation.

Turning policy into practice through skills

A key theme of this story is the essential role of training providers as capacity builders. By focusing on trainer development, practical application, and close alignment with national standards, CMI-BIM Training Center is helping transform policy intent into real, usable capability.

Its train-the-trainer model demonstrates how skills development can be scaled efficiently across universities, professional networks, and regulatory bodies. This approach allows BIM capacity to multiply far beyond a single organisation, accelerating adoption across the wider ecosystem.

Building long-term digital confidence

With strong government backing, increasing industry demand, and a focus on real-world application, Ethiopia is laying foundations not only for BIM adoption, but for long-term digital confidence across its construction sector. The combination of leadership, standards, and structured skills development is creating the conditions needed for sustainable transformation.

About CMI-BIM Training Center

CMI-BIM Training Center is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and operates under the Construction Project Management Institute (CMI), re-established by Proclamation No. 1263/2014.

CMI plays a central role in strengthening Ethiopia’s construction project delivery by building national capacity. Its work includes developing policies and strategies, establishing internationally aligned certification and competency systems, and providing research, training, and consultancy services. CMI also identifies skills gaps, standardises methodologies, facilitates technology transfer, benchmarks project competitiveness, and collaborates with local and international institutions to improve efficiency, quality, and professionalism across the sector.

The story we keep hearing – we need more people with the right skills  

Engage with the design, planning and delivery of almost any AECO project today – from a high-rise in the Middle East to an infrastructure programme in Africa – and something becomes apparent. The tools and technology have advanced – but there are insufficient people to fully master them.   

BIM isn’t just software on a desktop. It is a discipline threading through design, construction, and operation. The work showcased within our new BIM Realities report reveal a truth: digital transformation is only as strong as the people who deliver and drive it. 

We know that for decades, informal learning quietly carried a mainly analogue industry forward. Engineers picked up modelling skills on the job. Project teams often learned to coordinate through trial and error. For a time, it worked. But as projects grow in complexity, scale, and connectivity, ad-hoc upskilling is no longer enough.  The gaps are visible, and the stakes are high. 

Across the BIM Realities stories, we build a picture. The industry can no longer rely on informal, ad-hoc learning. Structured development pathways, including certification, are becoming essential. 

From isolated knowledge to organisational capability 

Similarly, we see a perceptible shift from individual skilling to organisational and national capability. Many of the initiatives are designed to be scaled – they focus on regional and national capacity-building. They aim to avoid situations where a few highly skilled individuals carry a project, only for bottlenecks to emerge when they move on. They aim to move on from circumstances where knowledge lived in people’s heads, not in shared processes or standards. 

Structured learning pathways can address this. Planned, role-specific, measurable programmes embed knowledge across teams. Certification provides a benchmark – a shared language of skills that partners and clients can trust. 

This consistency of message and language is so important. I loved the comment from one trainee, a civil and architectural engineer working on the Ellinikon in Greece: 

In the past we faced delays and rework due to miscommunication between designers and the site – drawings didn’t always match, leading to onthespot changes. We needed a tool and methodology to unify all project information. With BIM training from Face-to-Face, I gained this capability – working in a single digital environment where architects, engineers and the site share the same model. 

We now all speak the same language by looking at the 3D model, rather than trying to coordinate with drawings and phone calls.

Capability, context and collaboration  

BIM capability isn’t just about knowing software. It’s about using it well in context: coordinating across disciplines, understanding downstream impacts and maintaining quality over time. Organisations are realising that relying solely on ad-hoc learning is insufficient for this level of complexity. 

AECO work is collaborative by nature. Designers, engineers, contractors, and operators must coordinate in real time, sometime across geographies. Trust is built on predictable, demonstrable capability. 

Stories in BIM Realities highlight that structured development and certification don’t just improve individual confidence, they build collective trust. Teams know what to expect from each other, organisations reassure clients, and projects are less prone to error or rework. 

Taking a strategic, long-term view 

Investment in and commitment to capability development is increasingly becoming strategic, not just operational. Early-career professionals are nurtured for future roles, role-specific pathways exist, and organisational memory is retained. 

This long-term perspective helps organisations to avoid reactive training and skills shortages. Structured learning and certification become investment instruments, enabling teams to be deployed confidently across projects, regions and markets. 

As we see from the BIM Realities stories there are other tools in the mix driving change. On-the-job problem solving, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing are crucial – as are skills competitions, work experience opportunities. The difference is that all of these can be – and are – now embedded within formal frameworks, ensuring consistency and alignment with organisational and national goals. 

The BIM Realities stories consistently show that the most successful skilling frameworks (both organisational and country-wide) use a combination of levers depending on the market context and the learner group in question.  Informal learning provides creativity and flexibility, while structured programmes provide reliability and predictability. And for the future generations of engineers, designers and architects, early exposure is key.  

For further information

BIM Realities is available for download here.

For enquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact: ALP-Support@knowledgepoint.com

BIM Realities, a new insight report from KnowledgePoint, explores how the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operations (AECO) sector is adopting Building Information Modelling (BIM). The report brings together real-world stories, practical lessons, and actionable insights to help the sector accelerate digital transformation and unlock the full potential of BIM.

With construction and infrastructure projects growing in complexity, organisations are facing unprecedented challenges.  Skills shortages, fragmented adoption of digital tools, and increasing pressure to deliver sustainable, collaborative outcomes are driving the need for more effective strategies for workforce development and capability building.

BIM Realities documents how organisations, educators, and Autodesk Learning Partners are navigating this transformation.

Real stories, real challenges, real solutions

BIM Realities brings together a collection of stories from across the AECO ecosystem. These narratives highlight the realities of BIM adoption – in particular the steps organisations are taking to address gaps in skills, processes and collaboration.

“The adoption of BIM is not just a technical challenge – it’s a people challenge,” says Tomas Karlsson, Head of Channel Services, KnowledgePoint.

“These stories show that technology alone is not enough. To fully realise the benefits of BIM, organisations must invest in their people and skills, and work collaboratively with educators, industry partners, and policymakers.  BIM Realities captures those stories and practical examples for driving digital transformation.”

Learning Partners: at the forefront of change

Autodesk Learning Partners feature prominently in the report, showcasing how they are supporting organisations and nations to develop the capabilities and capacity to adopt BIM. Together they showcase the role of structured training, early career development, and practical upskilling in equipping the workforce for the digital future.

Tomas says, “Standards and mandates often set expectations for the adoption of technology, such as BIM. Our stories collated together in this report show how people and skills are key to realising the benefits of BIM workflows. 

“The report highlights the value of collaboration, practical learning, and ongoing skills development. It provides practical suggestions and example projects which should inspire those with a vested interest in the AECO market.”

Themes explored in BIM Realities include:

• Early careers and skills development: How to attract and develop the next generation of digital-ready AECO professionals.
• Evolving skillsets: The need for continuous upskilling as technology and processes change.
• Collaboration and integration: How organisations are working across disciplines and with partners to deliver better outcomes.
• Women in AECO and inclusivity: Building a diverse workforce equipped for digital workflows.
• Sustainability and infrastructure: The role of BIM in delivering more sustainable, resilient projects.

A collective effort for digital transformation

The report emphasises that no single organisation can achieve digital transformation alone. Governments, industry, educators and training providers must work together to ensure that the sector develops the capabilities required to adopt BIM fully and sustainably.

“BIM Realities provides insight into what has worked elsewhere – and the support that Autodesk Learning Partners can provide,” says Tomas. “It’s about creating a collective effort to build skills, drive adoption, and ultimately deliver better outcomes for projects, clients, communities and nations.”

For further information

BIM Realities is available for download here.

KnowledgePoint encourages AECO organisations, educators and policy makers to explore the stories, reflect on the lessons learned, and engage in the conversation about the next steps for BIM adoption.

For enquiries, interviews, or further information, please contact: ALP-Support@knowledgepoint.com

KnowledgePoint recognised three Autodesk Learning Partners for their achievements at the recent Autodesk Learning Partner Summit 2025 held in Marrakesh, Morocco.

The recipients were presented with the annual excellence awards by Kyra Ward, Sr Director Field & Channel Engagement at Autodesk and John Peros, Director Autodesk Learning Partner programs.

Make the Future: CAD Masters Training & Solutions in Egypt

The Make the Future award recognises a partner who has gone above and beyond to promote Autodesk solutions, exceeding expectations, and laying the ground for future growth.

CAD Masters Training & Solutions have strategically expanded their business across multiple sectors by delivering training to more than 1,500 learners in the past year. Their commitment to future talent is particularly evident through signing of MoUs with major universities and training over 100 academic staff in their market.

Stronger Together: COSTECH COMPUTERS LIMITED in Nigeria

The Stronger Together award honours a partner who understands the power of collaboration as a way of reaching the sky.

COSTECH COMPUTERS LIMITED brought together industry leaders, students, startups, and freelance professionals in a major event focused on addressing the infrastructure challenges in Nigeria. Delivered in close collaboration with their distributor and the Autodesk team, the event showcased the incredible potential of working together to drive innovation and community engagement.

Autodesk Certified Instructor for AEC: George Panagiotis Exarchopoulos, Face to Face-System in Greece.

The Autodesk Certified Instructor (ACI) for AEC award recognizes an instructor who has consistently delivered excellence in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector.

George Panagiotis Exarchopoulos has a long-standing track record of achieving high training participant satisfaction ratings for Revit, AutoCAD, and 3ds Max training courses. George’s long tenure is reflected in having earned the ACI Platinum badge. In the past year alone, he has achieved a 95% satisfaction rate in teaching delivery and an incredible 99% in overall participant experience through the Autodesk Training Evaluation System.

Congratulations to all the well-deserved winners!