Building new skills for the future of AEC

There was a time when education followed a clear path: complete your degree, start your career, gain experience, and progress steadily over the years. In today’s AEC digital landscape, that model is outdated.

The new reality? Learning never stops.

For professionals in engineering, architecture, construction, and the broader built environment, technological change is constant. Building new skills for the future of AEC is vital. Whether it’s automation, machine learning, or the latest BIM standards, new innovations are disrupting how we work. The ability to adapt, to learn, unlearn, and relearn is no longer just an advantage. It’s a necessity.

The pressures of AEC emerging technologies

Across the AEC and engineering sectors, technological change is no longer linear, it’s exponential. Tools that seemed advanced five years ago are now foundational. Roles that didn’t exist a decade ago, like BIM coordinator or automation engineer, are increasingly common.

Some of the most prominent developments include:

• Machine learning in predictive maintenance, structural analysis, and performance modelling

• Automation of design workflows, procurement, and documentation control

• Generative design for rapid prototyping and optimisation

• Digital twins for real-time monitoring, performance simulation, and lifecycle management

• Data-driven decision-making across project phases

• Enhanced Common Data Environment (CDE) integrations for collaborative delivery in line with ISO 19650

  
  

What do these changes mean for professionals?

The hard truth is this: what you learned five years ago may no longer be enough. And what you’ll need to know five years from now likely hasn’t been invented yet.

What happens when the industry moves on without you?

While most professionals understand that the world is changing, few consider the direct implications on their own career paths.

Let’s consider two mechanical engineers:

• The first graduated a decade ago and has built a solid track record using familiar tools. They’re comfortable but haven’t made time to explore automation or digital design environments.

  
  

• The second has the same years of experience but actively engages with emerging technologies, taking short courses, reading, and experimenting. They’ve recently integrated a simple machine learning model to optimise HVAC performance.

  
  

In five years, who’s more likely to be leading innovative projects, or even staying employed?

In a world where automation replaces routine tasks, professionals must bring more than technical execution to the table. They must offer strategic thinking, digital fluency, and a commitment to growth.

Barriers to continuous learning

Despite good intentions, many professionals struggle to maintain an ongoing learning habit. Common barriers include:

• Lack of time: Heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and personal commitments leave little room for study.

• Information overload: With so many platforms, courses, and influencers, it’s hard to know what’s relevant.

• Unclear direction: Professionals often don’t know which skills will add value to their specific roles.

• Fatigue: After a full workday, energy for additional learning is limited.

  
  

These challenges are valid. But they’re also solvable, with the right mindset and strategy.

Building a learning routine that works

Rather than viewing learning as a separate, time-consuming task, we can integrate it into our everyday professional lives.

1. Set a learning intention

Begin by identifying why you want to learn. Are you preparing for a promotion? Trying to future-proof your role? Or simply curious?

Clear intentions help you:

• Focus your energy

• Choose relevant resources

• Stay motivated when life gets busy

  
  

For instance, if your goal is to improve automation skills in BIM, you might aim to learn Python scripting or visual programming in Dynamo. If your goal is to become a BIM Manager consider taking training in ISO 19650-1 and 2.

2. Embrace Microlearning

Long study sessions are often unrealistic. Microlearning, small, focused bursts of knowledge is far more manageable. Examples include:

• Watching a 10-minute tutorial during your commute

• Reading one article per day over coffee

• Completing a 30-minute module each week

  
  

These small steps compound over time.

3. Curate Your Content Intake

Not all content is created equal. Be selective. Choose resources aligned with your learning goals and professional context.

Recommended options include:

• Online training courses

• Industry newsletters

• Professional associations

• Specialist blogs and podcasts that break down technical topics in an applied context

  
  

Create a short list and revisit it regularly, avoiding digital clutter.

4. Block Time Like a Project

Learning won’t happen by accident. Treat it like a project, schedule it into your calendar. Whether it’s 30 minutes on Friday mornings or one lunch break a week, regularity matters more than volume.

5. Make Learning Social

Collaborative learning improves engagement and accountability. Consider:

• Starting a learning circle with colleagues

• Joining a professional LinkedIn group or forum

• Attending local meetups, webinars, or CPD events

• Sharing takeaways on internal Slack channels

  
  

If you teach others, you learn faster.

6. Track and Reflect

Keep a simple record of what you’re learning and how it’s helping your work. This could be:

• A personal board

• A CPD log required by your institution

• A private online journal

  
  

Reflection reinforces retention—and builds a portfolio of growth.

Integrating learning into a busy schedule

Let’s say you’re a project manager working on multiple infrastructure projects. You want to understand how AI can help with resource forecasting.

Here’s a realistic 3-month plan:

• Month 1: Watch 3–4 short videos on AI in construction (total: ~2 hours). Check BIM Design Hub Youtube channel for 3 minutes videos in ISO 19650.

• Month 2: Read one article a week, highlight insights, and share one with your team. Click to download my Beginners guide to ISO 19650 for free.

• Month 3: Attend a webinar, then speak to your digital lead about trialling a solution on a low-risk project

  
  

This simple, low-effort sequence builds awareness, sparks dialogue, and positions you as a forward-thinking contributor.

Final Thoughts

Continuous learning doesn’t require monumental effort. But it does require intentionality.

In a profession shaped by constant change, knowledge becomes your most valuable asset. Not just technical knowledge, but digital fluency, systems thinking, and curiosity.

You don’t need to master every tool. But you do need to stay open to growth. Start small. Be consistent. Learn by doing.

Remember, those who keep learning will shape the future of the industry.

Next steps

What’s one emerging technology you’ve heard about but never explored? Commit to learning more about it this month. Subscribe to a resource, attend a webinar, or speak with a colleague already using it.

And if you're building a structured learning path for your team, consider booking a free discovery call, we’ll help you align training with real project needs. Learn more about CPD (UK) ISO 19650 training and certification by BIM Design Hub.

🖊️About the author: Nicoleta Panagiotidou is an architect, ISO 19650 specialist, and the founder of BIM Design Hub. She helps AEC professionals and businesses optimize their projects through effective information management.

Breakwithanarchitect © 2025 by Nicoleta Panagiotidou. Licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). Sharing is encouraged with credit and link to the original post, but full reproduction requires prior written consent.