The government of Canada supports George Brown College on an innovative green technology training program for the construction sector

TORONTO, Sept. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - In an effort to further educate the Canadian construction sector about green technology solutions and innovative ways to design, construct, manage and operate buildings, George Brown College is pleased to announce the launch of a project: the Building Information Modeling (BIM) Technology and Processes Adoption Support, which received an investment of $100,000 from the National Research Council of Canada's Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP).

BIM is a process that involves the generation and management of digital representations of physical and functional characteristics of buildings or physical infrastructure. Using BIM technology creates efficiencies at every stage of the building life cycle, from concept through occupancy. The Canadian construction sector welcomes the partnership with George Brown College's Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies to join world leaders in the research, use, and integration of BIM technology.

"In Canada as well as globally, BIM is becoming a crucial asset as the construction sector looks for cost-effective ways to be sustainable on every job site," says Clint Kissoon, Chair in the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies at George Brown College.  "But the costs of BIM adoption, including sizable investments in hardware as well as software and training, are often out of reach for smaller companies.  Facilities like our BIM Lab can help fill that gap, giving Canadian businesses access to training, expertise and technology."

Through the college's state of the art BIM Lab (made possible through investments from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario), the project encourages small and medium sized construction companies to adopt and adapt innovative BIM technology and processes by providing technical guidance in tools and approaches, showcasing the value of applying BIM technology (e.g. software and hardware) and processes, and facilitating uptake within these smaller organizations.

After a projected launch in late September 2014, the collaboration will support up to 15 industry representatives who will participate in a series of workshops and training sessions, with the option of then being admitted into the George Brown College Graduate Certificate in Building Information Modeling Management scheduled to launch in January 2015. The collaboration will give construction sector participants training and applied learning opportunities to be successful leaders in implementing BIM tools and processes within their own organizations.

About George Brown College

Toronto's George Brown College has established a reputation for equipping students with the skills, industry experience and credentials to pursue the careers of their choice. The college offers programs from its three campuses located across the downtown core, including its newest location at the Toronto waterfront, which opened in September 2012. George Brown offers 142 full-time programs and 193 continuing education certificates/designations across a wide variety of professions to a student body of over 25,800 (full-time enrolment) students, including over 3,500 international students; and over 62,800 continuing education registrants. Students can earn certificates, diplomas, postgraduate certificates, apprenticeships and degrees.

SOURCE: George Brown College

or to arrange an interview, please contact:

Jodi Serwatuk
George Brown College
416-415-5000 ext. 3767
[email protected]

To become a potential industry participant:

Andrew Fraser
Manager, Industry Liaison & Technology Transfer
Research and Innovation, George Brown College
Tel: [phone] ext. 6507
Email: [email protected]