CitA's Digital Skills Series 2024 by Construction IT Alliance

CitA Digital Skills Series 2024

The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

CitA’s Digital Skills Series will focus on a range of practical technical and soft skills needed in the construction industry in 2024.

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CitA Digital Skills Series 2024 The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

What is the purpose of the Series? To focus on a range of practical hard and soft digital skills needed in the construction industry in 2024.

Why is this series so important to the construction sector? Employers are actively seeking candidates who possess a unique digital skill set that goes beyond qualiﬁcations and experience. These coveted skills not only form the bedrock of personal talent but also serve as catalysts for innovation and adaptability in the modern construction workplace

What type of skills and themes will be covered in the Series? The series was designed in association with CitA members leading to the identiﬁcation of eight digital skill themes to help people acquire the skills for the most in-demand jobs in the construction industry in 2024.

Where and when will the events take place? The events will take place in The Alex Hotel, Fenian Street, Dublin 2. The ﬁrst event BIM Creation and Collaboration will be held on Wednesday 24th of January. These events will run from January to November 2024. For details of all the dates see https://www.cita.ie/2024-events-schedule/

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BIM Creation and Collaboration Operations and Maintenance Optimisation

Real Time Analytics

Pre-Fabrication and Off-Site

Digital Skills Series 2024 Automating Manual Processes with Al

Immersive Technologies for Design and Construction

Green Retrofitting and Low Carbon

Effective Construction Project Management

CitA Digital Skills Series 2024 The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

EVENT ONE

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BIM Creation and Collaboration:

Laying the Foundations for success through upskilling in BIM Why is BIM such an important skillset area in 2024? BIM requirements will be introduced by the government into public works projects from January 2024. It will begin with larger projects where the capacity to respond to BIM requirements is already reasonably well established. It is important that all relevant stakeholders prepare for the future introduction of BIM requirement that will be gradually phased into smaller projects by 2028. BIM models provide a 3D visualisation of the project, allowing stakeholders to better understand the design and construction

allowing for more informed decisions. Collaborative BIM technology allows for more accurate cost estimation and tracking, helping to keep the project on budget. BIM skills should not be conﬁned to designers as all stakeholders in the project life-cycle need to upskill in BIM if we are to realize its full potential. BIM upskilling is one of the major barriers to its adoption due to competing work pressures, however its use on both public and private projects will continue to increase until it becomes business as usual in the near future.

What are the skills required? Examples of technical and soft skills associated with BIM include: Technical Skills Design & construction knowledge Technology & process knowledge Software proﬁciency Data extraction Coding & automation Clash detection Project life-cycle management Sustainability Soft Skills Presentation Communication Register at: https://www.cita.ie/2024-events-schedule/ Contact CitA Team: admin@cita.ie

Coordination Global Collaboration Attention to detail Problem solving Self-learning Leadership

CitA Digital Skills Series 2024 The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

EVENT TWO

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Pre-Fabrication and Off-Site:

Future skills needed for integrated planning, commercial viability and supply chain optimisation Why is Pre-Fabrication and Off-Site such an important skillset area in 2024? The allocation in Budget 2024 towards Enterprise Ireland’s Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Demonstration Park and investment on the Construct to Innovate Technology Centre is the latest government commitment to promote MMC. Pre-fabrication

and off-site methods are recognised for its ability to boost productivity, sustainability and efﬁciency by following a more controlled and industrialised sector, supported by lean, digital and green tools.

What are the skills required?

Examples of technical and soft skills associated with Pre-fabrication and off-site include: Technical Skills Digital Design Estimating Commercial Assessment Factory Production Logistics Onsite Assembly Site Management Quality Control Soft Skills Building Relationships Organisation Time Management Problem-Solving Planning Coordination Collaboration

CitA Digital Skills Series 2024 The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

EVENT THREE

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Green Retroﬁtting and Low Carbon:

A new taxonomy of skills for a more sustainable construction sector Why is Green Retroﬁtting and Low Carbon such an important skillset area in 2024? The need for Ireland to transition to a greener economy and society has never been more urgent. Ireland has committed to halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. While the climate crisis accelerates, the construction activities continue to have a detrimental impact on the environment. This requires a step change in attitudes to

new building versus retrofit alternatives. A green retrofitting and a low carbon first mindset will greatly assist in addressing the environmental, social, and economic concerns associated with traditional building practices. By retrofitting existing buildings, we can optimise energy efficiency, reduce resource consumption, and minimise waste generation.

What are the skills required?

Examples of technical and soft skills associated with Green Retrofitting and Low Carbon include: Technical Skills Green Retrofitting tools Low Carbon Building Material Passports Energy Modeling and Analysis Waste Management Green Certification Green Technologies Compliance and Monitoring Carbon Foot printing Soft Skills Innovation Management of Climate Change Register at: https://www.cita.ie/2024-events-schedule/ Contact CitA Team: admin@cita.ie

Strategy and Leadership Adaptability and Creativity Sustainability Literacy Critical Thinking Accountability Inquisitiveness

CitA Digital Skills Series 2024 The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

EVENT FOUR

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Effective Construction Project Management: Digital skills to drive quality outcomes, foster innovation and project success Why is digital such an important skill for construction project managers in 2024? The role of a digital project manager in construction is to ensure that all the necessary deliverables for a project are completed and handed over on time and on budget. In more recent years, project managers need digital skills to ensure projects are delivered on time and to the quality expected of their clients. These skills include Digital Construction/BIM-

related project deliverables in collaboration with other disciplines/departments and external partners, whilst contributing to their employer’s digital strategic direction. Today construction project managers need to be aware of the digital tools that can assist in delivering buildings more efﬁciently leading to greater client satisfaction and improved project outcomes.

What are the skills required?

Examples of technical and soft skills associated with Construction Project Management include: Technical Skills Proﬁciency in BIM Construction Management Software tools and techniques Knowledge of building regulations and control Cloud computing and data storage Data Science and Analytics Broader digital construction tools Data Security Process Re-engineering Soft Skills Communication Project Management Decision making Leadership and Delegation Planning and organisation Problem Solving Innovative Mindset Continuous Learning

CitA Digital Skills Series 2024 The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

EVENT FIVE

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Immersive Technologies for Design and Construction: Bringing the Skills to Reality

Why are the use of immersive technologies such an important skill in construction in 2024? The construction industry is at the cusp of a technological revolution, with immersive technologies such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR) and Mixed Reality (MR). These technologies create distinct experiences by merging the physical world with a digital or simulated reality. This technology can quickly provide its users to quickly iterate and test buildings, visualise future phases of

construction and have x-ray capability to see through walls where electrical or mechanical services are located. With the right skill set immersive technologies can assist in streamlining design and construction processes by providing real-time, on-site information to workers, offering on-the-spot guidance, reducing errors, and enhancing productivity.

What are the skills required?

Examples of technical and soft skills associated with Immersive Technologies include: Technical Skills Knowledge of immersive technologies Design Proﬁciency User experience Programme Languages Knowledge of Platforms and Hardware Machine Learning 3D Animation and Modeling Software Development Soft Skills Communication and Collaboration Adaptability Register at: https://www.cita.ie/2024-events-schedule/ Contact CitA Team: admin@cita.ie

Teamwork Planning Problem solving Innovative Mindset Continuous Learning Creativity

CitA Digital Skills Series 2024 The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

EVENT SIX

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Automating Manual Processes with AI:

Innovation, Impact, and Future Trends Shaping Construction Why is the use of Artiﬁcial Intelligence Technologies such an important skill to acquire in construction in 2024? AI has the potential to have a disruptive but positive impact on construction. One of the ways AI can transform the sector is by improving safety. AI-powered sensors and cameras can monitor jobs in real-time and identify potential hazards. It also has the potential to help players realise value throughout project life cycles, including design, bidding, and ﬁnancing; procurement and construction; operations and asset

What are the skills required?

management; and business workflow transformation. AI in construction will help the industry overcome some of its toughest challenges, including safety concerns, labour shortages, and cost and schedule overruns. By embracing AI-powered tools and technologies construction companies have the potential to automate many outdated analogue workflows and processes by enhancing efficiency, improving the overall quality of projects and staying ahead of the competition.

Examples of technical and soft skills associated with Artiﬁcial Intelligence include: Technical Skills Data Science and Data Analysis Process Re-engineering and AI Chatbot Software Application Cloud Computing for AI Security and Compliance Robotics and Automation Machine Learning Algorithms Data Visualisation Soft Skills Communication Creativity Critical Thinking Problem Solving Empathy and Emotional Intelligence Social Interaction Ethical Considerations Continuous Learning

CitA Digital Skills Series 2024 The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

EVENT SEVEN

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Real Time Analytics:

Harnessing Data Insights for Improved Project Performance in Construction Why is Data Analytics such an important skill to acquire in construction in 2024? Data analytics allows construction professionals to collate large volumes of data to facilitate identifying potential risks and challenges. It also allows for up-to-date information to be presented in real time, providing more immediate and timely interventions by taking mitigation measures to alleviate their impact. By assessing historical data, companies can anticipate risks, model potential outcomes,

and implement preventive measures, leading to improved project safety and project success. Data is constantly undervalued and lost in construction. Bringing the information regarding quality, time, cost, safety, sustainability etc. to the fore in real time will create a more efﬁcient and responsive industry that is constantly challenged by risks.

What are the skills required?

Examples of technical and soft skills associated with Data Analytics include: Technical Skills Domain Knowledge Programming Languages Data Science and Data Analysis Data Visualisation Statistical Analysis Data Analysis and Reporting Data Cleaning Data Platforms Soft Skills Strategic Thinking Problem Solving Register at: https://www.cita.ie/2024-events-schedule/ Contact CitA Team: admin@cita.ie

Adaptability Communication Attention to Detail Data Awareness Presentation Research

CitA Digital Skills Series 2024 The deﬁnitive, practical tech series for Irish construction SMEs.

EVENT EIGHT

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Operations and Maintenance Optimisation:

Proactive Responses to Equipment Performance and Predictive Maintenance through Digital Twinning Why is digitising and optimising O&M an important skill to acquire in construction in 2024? Technology today can provide a mirroring of a physical asset in the virtual sphere which can facilitate a constant ﬂow of data between parties who manage facilities. Linking the construction model to an integrated workplace management system or building management system can provide for more seamless management of equipment and predictive maintenance functions. For operations and maintenance of both existing

and newly built facilities, digital twins can utilise real time data to access the status of predicative maintenance, process optimisation and operator training. The adoption of new technologies requires O&M personnel to learn new digital skills, built on design and construction model information seamlessly utilised by asset owners and operators that allows staff to quickly access data to better manage their daily work.

What are the skills required?

Examples of technical and soft skills associated with Optimising O&M include: Technical Skills Information Management Standards BIM Proﬁciency CAFM systems Integrated Workplace Management System Digital Twinning Sustainability Practices Waste Reduction and Circularity Domain Knowledge Soft Skills Communication Planning Negotiation Collaboration Innovation Data Analysis and Reporting Decision Making Teamwork