In many fields, professional associations can be valuable resources for the latest news and think about industry matters. Building information modeling (BIM) is no exception to this rule, with several important BIM groups having developed in Canada to serve the needs of the community of professionals who work with it.
If you’re entering training to become an architectural CAD or BIM professional, you may find it useful to get to know some of the most important groups for your future profession and industry. Here are some of the main players worth becoming acquainted with.
The Canada BIM Council Is a Leading Canadian Voice in BIM Development
The Canada BIM Council (CanBIM) bills itself as “the business voice of Canada’s BIM community.” It looks to improve collaboration and communication between industry practitioners and employers. It also hopes to help establish industry standards for a cohesive approach to BIM across the country. Membership is available both through businesses and on an individual basis, with a discounted rate available to students.
If you’re curious about the state of BIM in the country, and the steps being taken by professional bodies to try and make BIM an even more useful tool, you might be interested to look into the publications put out by CanBIM. It’s an interesting complement to a good BIM education and could give you valuable insight to bring back to your architectural CAD courses.
Students in CAD Technician Training Can Also Check out the Institute for BIM in Canada
Similar to CanBIM, the goal of the Institute for BIM in Canada (IBC) is “to lead and facilitate the coordinated use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in the design construction, and management of the Canadian built environment.” This includes developing and maintaining BIM standards for the country, as well as policies and tools to promote best practices for the industry.
The group offers a number of documents for purchase, though their relatively high price makes these more appropriate for seasoned professionals than students just getting their start. It has also begun to host events to help professionals learn more about industry happenings. IBC’s offerings are a little slender at the moment, but its ambition and presence make it an entity for students in CAD technician training to watch.
Professional events with IBC can help BIM pros keep up with industry happenings
After CAD Technician Training, Keep an Eye on buildingSMART
A council of the Institute for BIM in Canada, buildingSMART is the Canadian chapter of buildingSMART International and believes a collaborative approach is required to transform the architectural and engineering community within the country. It is an important entity in the move toward open standards for BIM within Canada and hopes to someday achieve a greater level of integration between different organizations and tools, along with greater industry productivity.
The group is involved in a number of committees, activities, and development projects, including creating a practice manual for industry professionals. It’s an important group to watch during the coming years. If you live and breathe BIM, be sure to keep up with the latest happenings from buidingSMART.
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