Curtin partnership expands BIM training for future construction workforce

University collaboration with Octave Intelligence aims to equip graduates with the digital construction skills increasingly underpinning offsite manufacturing and modern methods of construction.

Building Information Modelling (BIM) continues to play an increasingly important role in modern methods of construction, with a new partnership between Curtin University and Octave Intelligence set to give students practical experience using the digital tools now widely adopted across the construction industry. (main image: Dr Vasilios Papastamoulis works with students using BIM software at Curtin University.)

The Octave NextGen Builders Program will provide students with hands-on experience using professional digital construction software before graduation, helping bridge the gap between academic study and industry practice. The initiative has been developed in response to growing demand for digitally capable graduates across construction, infrastructure and engineering.

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Digital skills for industrialised construction
For the offsite construction sector, BIM has become a critical component of project delivery, supporting design coordination, clash detection, manufacturing workflows, logistics planning and onsite installation. As prefabricated and modular building systems continue to expand, the ability to work within coordinated digital environments is becoming an increasingly valuable skill for construction professionals.

Under the partnership, Curtin University will integrate Octave’s OnSite Visualize software into selected construction and built environment units, enabling students to work with the same technology used on industry projects.

Curtin Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management) Course Co-ordinator Dr Vasilios Papastamoulis said the program would strengthen both practical capability and industry readiness.

“This partnership equips our students with in-demand digital skills and real-world experience, while highlighting the vital role careers in construction and infrastructure play in shaping Australia’s future,” he said.

Students participating in the program will learn to transform Building Information Modelling (BIM) data into construction-ready work packages by combining and reviewing federated models, identifying clashes and producing coordinated digital models that support project sequencing and delivery.

Octave Intelligence Vice President APAC Fabio Yada said the initiative responded to both workforce shortages and the increasing digitalisation of construction projects.

As the program expands, it is expected to be introduced at additional universities across Australia, contributing to a larger pipeline of graduates familiar with digital construction workflows. For manufacturers, builders and project teams adopting offsite construction and other modern methods of construction, the availability of graduates with practical BIM capability is likely to become an increasingly important part of workforce development.

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