Roofing, cladding and building envelope contractor Lakesmere has invested in BIM with the launch of a new training initiative.
The Lakesmere BIM Academy is an internal training programme created to raise BIM awareness and expertise across the organisation and to upskill all designers and project managers in BIM software such as Autodesk Revit, Rhino, Navisworks and Synchro.
It has been developed in conjunction with an independent software supplier and is overseen by Lakesmere’s technical managers.
The training programme has been divided into several different tiers of BIM knowledge. A bespoke CITB-accredited “Lakesmere BIM Diploma” has also been developed.
Lakesmere says it has worked on nine BIM Level 1 projects, and delivered its first Level 2 contract for the Greenwich Gateway Pavilions (pictured above), the marketing hub for the Greenwich Peninsula development.
John Wilson, Lakesmere Group’s technical manager, commented: “The new training programme provides a fantastic model that can be used across the company’s different disciplines and regional offices to upskill our entire network of offices and develop the next generation of designers to BIM manager level.
“With less than 12 months to go before BIM becomes mandatory on all public sector projects I’m pleased to say that Lakesmere is well ahead of the curve and we are already looking at improving our proficiency in other aspects such as the use of 4D modelling and mobile BIM technology.”
In addition to its staff training schemes, Lakesmere has invested in ways to support its clients in the use of BIM, by creating a 27-page BIM handbook that can be continually updated to reflect the latest processes and best working practices.
The document includes a workflow diagram establishing a clear process for BIM and a client questionnaire to ensure clear understanding of the BIM Execution Plan (BEP) from the outset.
Lakesmere has also produced its own standards manual, allowing clients to choose the right level of BIM functionality before work progresses.
The new training programme provides a fantastic model that can be used across the company’s different disciplines and regional offices to upskill our entire network of offices and develop the next generation of designers to BIM manager level.– John Wilson, Lakesmere Group
