KEARNEY – Construction management students at University of Nebraska at Kearney now can earn commercial construction certification through Associated General Contractors of America and its Building Information Modeling Education Program.
UNK’s construction management program is the first in the nation to partner with AGC and AGC Nebraska Building Chapter to integrate the Building Information Modeling Education Program and Certificate of Management – Building Information Modeling (BIM) exam for its students.
The program is the construction industry’s first and only certificate program that teaches practical application of building information modeling for commercial construction firms.
The certificate and education program combines the latest building information modeling processes and technologies, step-by-step procedures for integrating BIM into project delivery, real-life case studies of successful implementations, and practical issues all parties need to understand when utilizing building information modeling on a construction project.
Through the initiative, UNK students receive industry training during their college careers, enabling them to be better prepared for the construction industry upon graduation, said professor Eric Holt, who has been approved by Associated General Contractors as a program instructor.
“They will be BIM leaders among their peers and bring cutting edge technology and training to the industry as soon as they start working,” said Holt.
CURRICULUM
Building information modeling curriculum is being offered this semester at UNK in the Virtual Design and Construction II class.
Twenty construction management students are taking the course and plan to take the Certificate of Management – Building Information Modeling exam during finals week. Students are also learning to operate Revit and Navisworks BIM software as part of their studies.
The final exam costs $550 for each student, and UNK’s construction management program is looking for industries to support the initiative by sponsoring student exam fees.
“If a company would be willing to sponsor one or two students for the exam fees, we will make sure the first Associated General Contractors Certificate of Management – BIM college graduating class is a success,” Holt said.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
Holt said a number of people have played key roles in helping UNK implement the program and partnership with Associated General Contractors of America.
He credited Jean Petsch, executive director of AGC’s Nebraska Building Chapter, for negotiating the industry cost of book fees from $780 to $150 for students. AGC Nebraska also is offering a $200 scholarship for each student who passes the exam.
Lincoln attorney Brian Koerwitz taught the Contract Negotiations and Risk Allocation class. Others supporting the initiative include: Wes Seals, Wilkins Hinrichs Stober Architects; Jodi Hanchey, JE Dunn Construction; and Cauitta Robeson, Kiewit Building Group.
Students taking the AGC BIM Education Program:
NEBRASKA
Burchard – Jesse Rule
Columbus – Michael Medlar
Dodge – Kurt Ortmeir
Gothenburg – Aaron Abramson
Grand Island – Casey Miller, Jeremiah Starostka
Gretna – Andrew Jensen
Holdrege –Tyler Kayton
Ogallala – Shad Krajewski
O’Neill – Austin Ducker
Pleasanton – Austin Paitz
Kearney – Trey Anderson, Ty Hartley, Kyle Spurling
Schuyler – Klayton Kasik
Springfield – Eric Carlson
Valentine – Jade Sandoz
OUT OF STATE
Baton Rouge, L.A. – Jose Figueroa
Burke, S.D. – Colton Johnson
Grand Junction, Colo. – Jayke Brock
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Media Contact: Todd Gottula, Director of Communications, 308.865.8454, gottulatm@unk.edu
Faculty Contact: Eric A. Holt, Assistant Professor Construction Management, 308-440-8949, holtea@unk.edu
What a great program to have for these students. It is about time that there was some sort of contractors program for people going into that career. I think it will really help a lot of younger workers learn how to be a good contractor. The final doesn’t seem too expensive and that comes with help if you can get it. I think this is a wonderful program and I hope that a lot of good contractors come out of this.
I think this is a great program to get good general contractors certified. This way they get tons of experience while at the same time getting certification. It would be nice if other universities had similar programs.