As construction enters a fourth industrial revolution – a new world of big data and digital tools such as BIM, parametric modelling and augmented reality – the question arises whether the workforce is being trained up adequately in order to fulfil the potential this technology has to offer.

Coupled with a struggle to attract the next generation into the industry, there is a feeling among those in construction that now is the time to upskill their current staff in digital tools and techniques.

“The world is changing,” says Chris Mulligan, strategic growth director at SNC-Lavalin Group’s Atkins business. “There is an ever-increasing demand for more infrastructure that we cannot keep up with. Technology and data can help us to do this, but we must equip our business to harness these capabilities.”

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