Two Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Enrol for Revit MEP Training Courses

One of the major advances in the building services industry is the growing adoption of parametric BIM modelling techniques, workflows, and processes for more efficient and accurate planning, design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of MEP systems. Whilst the MEP (M&E) engineering fraternity was relatively slow in adopting BIM model-based documentation techniques, other project stakeholders including main contractors (general contractors), owners, and architects were quick to adopt and realise its benefits. Nevertheless, a competent workforce proficient in BIM management as well as BIM tools, such as Revit MEP, will be one of the key drivers to accelerate BIM adoption for building design projects. As a result, it is imperative for engineering graduates, interested in pursuing a career in AEC industry and the built environment, to enrol on well-structured Revit MEP training courses that supplement the academic curriculum.

Irrespective of whether students attend engineering colleges, polytechnics, universities, or technical education institutes, investment of time and money into skills development needs to be as effective as possible. Accordingly, they should reflect upon the following points before they decide to take up professional Revit training classes:

Will the course help me meet current industry requirements?

Training courses designed by CAD professionals who have hands-on experience working on real-life building services projects are more likely to meet industry requirements than those conducted by training vendors or consultants. As graduates willing to just enter the industry workforce, students need an in-depth knowledge of the capabilities of Revit and access to best industry practises in the realm of designing clash-free and coordinated HVAC systems, plumbing/irrigation systems, and electrical systems. In addition to this, students having a robust grounding in both the traditional 2D CAD design workflows and modern BIM processes stand a better chance of acceptance within the highly competitive AEC industry.

Will the training make me future ready?

Whilst it is important to be thoroughly proficient in current industry trends, equal weight should be placed on newer technologies and processes that can impact the field. For instance, the MEP design and consulting firms currently employ a mix of 2D CAD and BIM tools to deliver conceptual plans, schematics, detailed designs, single-service drawings, integrated services drawings, spool drawings, and detailed 3D models that adhere to local building codes for HVAC, mechanical, pipe work, electrical, and fire systems. Nevertheless, large modern-day projects require BIM tools and BIM workflows to be executed within the Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) frameworks jointly by major stakeholders: architects, MEP designers, main contractors, fabricators, and installation experts.

Whilst BIM tools, such as Revit MEP and Navisworks will be employed, though in varying degrees, in both the above instances, the workflows, processes, and design production methodologies will differ to a large extent. As a result, students should realise that familiarising yourselves with BIM applications is not enough, the awareness about how these tools fit the respective practical environments is paramount.

Prabhat Singh heads Grey Edge, a leading Autodesk Revit MEP Training Centre in Mumbai. Prabhat has been instrumental in designing many types of curriculum related to domains, such as architecture, interior design and web designing and development.