Press Release June 08, 2009

Media Advisory
Contact: Monica Gomez
Public Information Officer
San José/Evergreen Community College
(408) 759-0626
monica.gomez@sjeccd.edu

SAN JOSÉ, CA—  San José/Evergreen Community College District’s (SJECCD) Workforce Institute is one step closer to being the first in the state to offer Building Information Modeling (BIM) for industry CEO’s and project managers.  Thanks to a nearly $1 million grant, SJECCD will offer professionals in the building industry specialized training that is critical for helping them maintain a competitive edge and develop more sustainable green building practices.

BIM is a digital representation of the design-construction-operation cycle.  A 3D to 5D modeling software provides an integrated approach for all sectors of the building industry.  
All this information is conveyed through detailed models and pictures.  BIM also provides a new workflow paradigm that centers on collaborative teamwork across all aspects of the building industry.

“BIM is a technology that saves industry significant costs by reducing errors and the need for corrections after projects start.  The immediate value of this training will be felt by the large number of industry partners we have that will send designated employees to us for training.  No other college or university in the Bay Area has this program available for either short term training of existing employees or for career training for regular college students.  By creating a program that responds to industry with a both a short term training and a longer term career development strategy, our district will be doing precisely what President Obama has challenged community colleges to do:  be contributors to the nation’s current economic recovery and builders for our nation’s new economic stability,” says SJECCD Chancellor Rosa G. Pérez. 

SJECCD Workforce Institute Executive Director Carol Coen says, “Our local industry partners are leading the charge for this training, since BIM truly is the future of construction.  We can help them reduce their design/build time to gain a competitive advantage in the bid process.   The skills they obtain by participating in this BIM training will result in greater operational efficiency and more effective project coordination and delivery.”

Program participants will learn four state of the art BIM software packages, understand the required changes in workflow, and practice using BIM on their own work-related projects.  At the end of the 12-month grant ($878,503), Evergreen Valley College (EVC) will have a BIM Certificate Program and San José City College (SJCC) will incorporate BIM curricula in its Construction Management Program. 

The Workforce Institute will also offer contract education BIM training.  Industry standard BIM labs will be created on both college campuses.

With the assistance of its industry partners, SJECCD will develop practical BIM training for professionals already in the workplace over the next 6 months.  Training will begin in January 2010 at the Workforce Institute, followed by SJCC and EVC, who will offer BIM certificate and credit classes starting in Summer, 2010. 

This project has been funded through a Responsive Training Funds for Incumbent Workers grant awarded by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, Economic Development and Workforce Preparation Division.

For additional information on the Building Information Modeling (BIM) grant or the Workforce Institute, please call (408) 283-3600. 

List of Industry Partners

Blach Construction and Construction Management
Turner Construction
TBI Construction and Construction Management
Swinerton, Incorporated
Steinberg Architects
Jensen Construction Management Services
Community Housing Developers
MBA Architects
Twin Builders Services Corporation
Creative Window Interiors, Inc.
Summit Star Construction
American Institute of Architects, Santa Clara Valley Chapter
Builders Exchange of Santa Clara County