LATEST NEWS 
May 8, 2009
OGCA Symposium
Managing cultural change poses challenge as BIM gains traction
Managing cultural change in the construction industry poses a greater challenge than any technological transformation as Building Information Modeling (BIM) gains traction, contractors were told recently.
“Building industry partners will no longer be able to be adversarial, but will have to work as true collaborators,” said Derek Smith, executive director of the London & District Construction Association and interim administrator of the Canada BIM Council.
“Silos will not work.”
Speaking at a seminar at the Ontario General Contractors Association’s 6th annual construction symposium, Smith said software training must be preceded by “or at least accompanied by” education if BIM implementation strategies are to be effective.
“Training teaches people how to do,” he said. “Education teaches people how to think. There is a far greater need for the upfront education in culture change than the technology changeover.”
Smith, whose organization is setting up the first BIM training centre housed in a local construction association in Canada, said adoption of BIM could affect five key areas in contractors’ and consultants’ offices.
These are marketing and business development, human resources, finance, information technology and operations.
“Workflow visualization plays a key role in the consulting and construction offices of the next decade,” Smith said.
“This goes hand-in-hand with a functional cross-disciplinary BIM implementation strategy.
“This strategy must account for varying sizes of projects and complexities.”
Looking down the road, Smith said the “workflow” environment will look “completely different” over the next decade than it does today.
“Working group silos will be replaced with robust room-sized video conferencing and Internet communication capabilities in order for real-time information to flow between consultants and contractors including subcontractors and suppliers,” he said.
“Although there are concerns about liability and authorship, a collaborative environment has shown in large-scale projects in the United States to reduce the perceived need for defensive documentation.”
Carpenters’ union official Ucal Powell named to Order of Ontario
The Province of Ontario appointed Ucal Powell, Executive Secretary Treasurer of the Carpenters’ District Council to the Order of Ontario. Powell was recognized for building a world-class apprenticeship program and earning a reputation as a giving and compassionate organization, with the Order of Ontario.
VIDEO: Buildex Vancouver 2012 at the Vancouver Convention Centre
Buildex Vancouver brings together the construction, design and real estate industries on an annual basis into a giant, two day show at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
VIDEO: Pre-Construction begins on the Evergreen Line
Pre-construction work has begun on the Evergreen Line, an extension of the Skytrain rapid transit system that currently spans Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby and some of Coquitlam. The new line will extend from Coquitlam all the way to Port Moody, alleviating traffic and offering a green alternative to motorized vehicles.
VIDEO: The Vancouver Regional Construction Association's U35 initiative
Construction industry experts have long warned of an "experience gap" between senior management and young workers just entering the sector. Due to the bottoming out of the industry in the 1990s, the industry has lacked a core group of younger managers and executives to take over once the baby boomer generation retires.
Toronto IIDEX trade show to have renewed focus
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) will be a co-presenter of this year’s IIDEX/NeoCon Canada conference and expo, which has traditionally been a contract furniture show but will start placing a greater emphasis on construction products, architecture and technology, the event organizer has announced.
Brook Restoration safety training includes swing stage, hazardous materials
Brook Restoration recently opened its own safety centre. In addition to regular safety training like WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), Brook offers training in aspects such as swing stage, boom and elevated work platform, asbestos, lead, Bobcats and confined spaces.
VIDEO: Remembering the Bentall Four
On January 7, 1981, Gunther Couvreux, Brian Stevenson, Donald W. Davis and Yrjo Mitrunen fell thirty-six floors to their deaths when a fly form attached to the Bentall building in downtown Vancouver came loose.
Efficiency is Ontario trades college goal
Ontario’s current apprenticeship system has failed the province’s youth, says the Ontario College of Trades new chair, Ron Johnson.
Ontario College of Trades chair hopes ratios will be reviewed in first two years
Ron Johnson, the new Chair of the Board of Governors of the Ontario College of Trades and Deputy Director of Interior Systems Contractors Association of Ontario and the Interior Finishing Systems Training Centre, said every individual who has an issue with a compulsory certification and ratio review application will have an opportunity to represent their arguments to a review panel.
