New Framework for Developing Digital Competency in the Built Environment

UNLOCKING the opportunities of digital capability in the built environment requires the construction industry to have a shared understanding of what skills are needed and helping to make sure that leaders are embedding those skills in their organisations.

This is the key finding of a new report, Developing Digital Competency in the Built Environment, released today by the Construction Leadership Council’s (CLC) People & Skills workstream.

Developing Digital Competency

The built environment is being digitally transformed as organisations embrace tools and technologies that support the full spectrum of planning, construction and operation activities. However, organisations need to ensure that the right people have the right competencies so that digital solutions deliver improved outcomes as expected, says the CLC.

Developed by experts across the sector, the report aims to create a common understanding of what digital competency means in the industry and to provide ways to support leaders across the built environment to embed digital competency into their organisations.

Recommendations for Industry

To do this, the report makes four recommendations about actions the industry can take:

• Create a vision for digital competency in the organisation, addressing the ecosystem of people, processes and technology;
• Evaluate the current level of maturity or competency in each category, noting strengths and gaps;
• Address gaps by partnering with government and training providers to ensure appropriate training interventions are created;
• Aligning skills needs with the organisation’s strategic objectives, ensuring that digital upskilling supports business and industry outcomes such as improved productivity, safety, and sustainability.

Mark Reynolds, CLC Co-Chair

Mark Reynolds, CLC Co-Chair, comments: “Digital competency in the built environment is not the responsibility of a few, but is the shared mission of our entire industry. Leaders must champion this transformation by creating a digitally-enabled culture and empowering our people.

“By working together to raise digital competency across every organisation, we can deliver safer, smarter, more productive and sustainable outcomes for the industry.”

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