Best BIM Classes in Washington, D.C.

What is BIM?

BIM is short for Building Information Modeling, often written in lowercase letters when not abbreviated. BIM is a workflow process and a digital representation of built assets like buildings, roadways, and urban or other infrastructure developments. While it developed in the 1970s, BIM went mainstream after Autodesk acquired Revit in the early 2000s.

BIM allows users to design, plan, build, and operate construction projects. Using cloud-based 3D technology, BIM provides a collaborative process that captures all physical and functional aspects of a project, from design specs to operational procedures. Read on to learn more about this fascinating, high-level process for the AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry.

BIM Classes in Washington, D.C.

The Virtual Design and Construction Institute (VDCI) hosts multiple BIM certificate programs and course bundles you can take online at your own pace. Their nationally accredited curricula include a CAD/BIM Certificate Program of 400 hours of AutoCAD, Revit, and construction document training. A version without the AutoCAD modules is available in the 290-hour BIM Certificate Program.

Learn BIM

• Nationally accredited
• Create your own portfolio
• Free student software
• Learn at your convenience
• Authorized Autodesk training center

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Another option for BIM beginners is to start with individual Revit training programs. VDCI offers several 140-hour options, including a Revit Certification Course Online, Revit MEP Certification Course Online, and Revit Structure Certification Course Online. Each includes beginner and intermediate Revit and subject-specific training modules and prepares students to sit for the Revit Certified User Exam.

Another respected provider, Ledet Training, provides live online BIM training that students can take from anywhere, Washington, D.C. included. Courses include beginner and advanced AutoCAD, 3D drawing and modeling, and professional layout techniques. See the Ledet website for class schedules.

The University of the District of Columbia, in collaboration with Ed2Go, hosts an online Revit Basics course. This self-paced program covers 60 hours of training, including introductory and intermediate Revit. Online learners may need to update their systems or download materials, so read hardware and software requirements with care.

Design-Build America, based in Washington, D.C., hosts in-person and online courses for architecture, engineering, and construction professionals, including BIM training. Their BIM Execution Planning for Design-Build program covers different case uses for implementing BIM. Graduates earn eight continuing education units (CEUs).

Autodesk’s AutoCAD software program is one of the essential tools for many BIM professionals. Among the course providers that host AutoCAD courses live online, Certstaffix Training also offers access to their computer labs for those who need it. Their AutoCAD Essentials class covers basics like defining dynamic blocks, using macros, and working with tables. Check listings for more detailed information.

Like Certstaffix Training, ONLC Training Centers offers live online BIM coursework, with optional use of their computer labs for those in select locations who want it. Their beginner-friendly Autodesk Revit Architecture Fundamentals class features extensive training in this essential software in around 27 hours. Topics include creating construction documents, adding components, and modeling ceilings, floors, walls, and roofs.

What Can You Do with BIM Training?

Design 3D Models

Designers, Drafters, Architects, and Engineers all benefit from BIM training. They can use the process and platform to create 3D models of everything from individual buildings and their components to full-scale infrastructure projects. BIM enables them to share and collaborate with other teams. 

Estimate Costs

Cost estimates are the responsibility of professional Construction Estimators, including labor, direct and indirect, and subcontractor costs. BIM allows these and other construction professionals to collect and analyze all essential data regarding materials, time, money, and labor costs.

Manage Construction Projects

Managing projects is a primary goal for many construction pros, and BIM leads the way for Construction Project Managers. Design management software programs like BIM Collaborate Pro are part of the Autodesk Construction Cloud, an essential toolkit for industry professionals.

What Will I Learn in a BIM Class?

BIM courses vary in emphasis, length, and method, and what you learn there depends on these factors and whether you take a single beginner-level class or an immersive certificate program. Some BIM classes focus on Revit Structure, others on Revit MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing), and others on Revit Architecture. Others emphasize AutoCAD, construction documents, or blueprint reading. Read on to learn more about some of the tools a BIM course may include.

AutoCAD

AutoCAD from Autodesk is the closest thing to a universal skill among the many tools and skills in the building and manufacturing fields. It can be essential for everything from drafting symbols to floor plans to kitchen and bathroom fixtures. A beginner-level BIM class may include AutoCAD, Revit, and construction documents.

Cost Estimating

Professionals in the AEC industry (architecture, engineering, and construction) can benefit from training in cost estimates. Builders, contractors, and other construction professionals may need to learn to estimate costs within a broader BIM curriculum—particularly if they plan to move up to construction project management in the future.

Revit

Autodesk Revit is as essential as AutoCAD in the AEC industry. This popular BIM tool is the preferred tool among many Architects, Engineers, and other professionals. They can use Revit for architecture, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and structural 3D modeling and project documentation.

What Kinds of Training Options are Available to Learn BIM?

BIM beginners may wonder about the best training options for such a complex, multifaceted topic. Consider the following four methods for learning BIM, whether for architecture, construction, or design:

In-Person

In-person BIM programs are rare, although some major metro areas may have a limited number. However, numerous training options are available live online, and these are typically the best bet for BIM beginners or those looking to upskill.

Live Online

Many providers offer BIM training live online through teleconferencing platforms like Zoom. While these programs became the default during the COVID-19 pandemic, they have continued to grow in popularity.

On-Demand/Asynchronous 

On-demand or asynchronous learning typically consists of pre-recorded videos, though some course providers also include additional perks like written materials or student chat groups. The best-known on-demand providers include Udemy, Coursera, and Skillshare.

Self-Directed

Some providers offer self-directed classes with additional guidance from instructors or mentors. For example, the Virtual Design & Construction Institute (VDCI) hosts multiple self-directed BIM course bundles, certificate programs, and certification training bundles. These include beginner-friendly materials, instructors available to answer questions, and online support forums for additional support.

Choosing the Right Training Method for You

When building information modeling (BIM) novices research training methods, some find it challenging to choose one. Consider factors like budget, scheduling, and personal learning style to make the decision easier. The advantages and drawbacks of the four most common categories of training methods include the following:

Many BIM beginners prefer training live online or in a traditional classroom. In-person training offers the highest level of student engagement, with live online programs a close second. However, in-person and virtual live BIM courses are few and far between.

On-demand and self-directed BIM training can also provide high-level materials, and some of these programs feature attractive add-ons like student chat groups or mentoring sessions with expert instructors. While live programs can offer higher levels of student engagement, learning BIM through an on-demand or self-directed course can appeal to people already working full-time or with family obligations or non-traditional schedules.

How Hard is it to Learn BIM?

Building information modeling is a complicated and multifaceted subject. While you can pick up basics in a short workshop or seminar, becoming proficient will take much longer. For example, a beginner-friendly Revit fundamentals course can run as long as 60 hours, while an immersive BIM or CAD/BIM certificate program open to beginners can run up to 400 hours of class time. Courses of this type, including certificates and credential programs, typically include creating a capstone portfolio project or preparing for a certification exam.

What are the most challenging parts of learning BIM?

As with other disciplines, the most challenging parts of learning BIM depend on the individual. Some come to BIM from a design background, others from a construction work background, and others without experience. However, for most BIM beginners, the real challenge goes beyond mastering software. Those new to this sophisticated construction method must rethink their approach to the topic. Every stakeholder, from Architects to Engineers, can view a project simultaneously. This is called a Common Data Environment, or CDE. 

BIM requires discipline, collaboration, and the ability to comprehend all its complex aspects. While it can be challenging to adapt to this 3D way of thinking, BIM professionals typically report a positive ongoing experience with the process.

How Long Does it Take to Learn BIM?

Depending on the course, and what aspects of BIM it emphasizes, most beginners can master BIM fundamentals in a few weeks or months. Thanks to its seamless interface and near-universal use, learning this 3D model-based process is inevitable for many AEC (architecture, engineering, construction) pros. Therefore, taking an immersive BIM certificate program that includes or features AutoCAD and/or Revit can jumpstart a novice's education and get them well on their way to BIM proficiency.

Can I Learn BIM Free Online?

Check the VDCI YouTube channel, Autodesk learning resources, and other online videos or articles, and you might think you can cobble together a BIM education for free. However, although this is a good approach to familiarizing yourself with BIM concepts and skills, it is an impractical approach to mastery. Paid BIM training from industry experts offers what reviewing free resources cannot: hands-on experience, structured lessons that build on previous ones, and individual mentoring and career support. While investigating free resources makes a good start, a certificate or certification program is the best way to get professional-level training in the most concise timeframe.

What Should I Learn Alongside BIM?

BIM is essential for multiple disciplines, so what you learn alongside it depends on your title (if any), previous experience, and current skill set. Indeed, several essential Autodesk tools may be included within your BIM curriculum, including:

• AutoCAD
• BIM Collaborate Pro
• Civil 3D
• Navisworks
• Revit

Because different roles require different training, consider researching the most common tools for your career plans. Architects may need Sketchup Pro, Construction Project Managers may need specialized software, and other professionals may need Adobe Creative Cloud software like Illustrator, InDesign, or Photoshop.

Industries that Use BIM

Nearly every industry and sector needs BIM since businesses and public sector organizations need buildings for office space, warehousing, or shipping. However, some industries require more BIM professionals, like the so-called AEC sector, architecture, engineering, and construction.

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), some of the most lucrative BIM jobs fit comfortably into the AEC category. Builders, private architecture and engineering firms, and leaders in MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) are among the growing companies requiring qualified BIM professionals. Read on to learn more about typical BIM jobs and salaries in Washington, D.C.

BIM Job Titles and Salaries

• BIM Manager - A Building Information Modeling (BIM) Manager is a specialized role that demands technical expertise and substantial knowledge of construction essentials. BIM Managers in Washington, D.C., can anticipate earning an average annual salary of around $93,000.
• Construction Project Manager - Construction Project Managers are among the best-paid BIM pros in D.C. They can expect to earn an average annual salary of about $110,000, 15 percent higher than the national average.
• Architect - Architects are among the highest-paid AEC industry professionals requiring BIM skills. D.C. Architects can expect to earn around $132,000—an impressive 22 percent higher than the national average for comparable positions.

BIM Corporate Training

Would your team benefit from corporate and onsite BIM training? VDCI offers in-person and online BIM course bundles, certificate programs, individual courses, and certification training bundles, with modern computer labs at their offices or private training at your organization’s location. They can even customize a program to meet your specific needs and preferences. Topics include Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, BIM construction documents, BIM project management, and BIM detailing, to name a few.

If you want your employees to have more flexibility in their training schedule, you can send them to VDCI group classes. They provide extensive offerings with flexible schedules, and VDCI provides computers and training resources. For more information, contact VDCI today.