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NEW EDUCATION PROGRAM TO HELP CONSTRUCTION FIRMS REDUCE COSTS, SPEED PROJECT COMPLETION THROUGH BUILDING INFORMATION MODELING

Arlington, VA - A new national education program being launched today will make it easier for construction firms to lower costs and speed construction work by taking advantage of virtual design and construction technology, the Associated General Contractors of America announced. The first-of-its-kind educational program is designed to give construction professionals a broad understanding of the Building Information Modeling (BIM) process.

"This program will make it easier for firms to be more productive by keeping up with the latest construction practices and technologies," said Stephen E. Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America. "Having the latest technology is important, but knowing how to apply those solutions to a project is vital."

The new program, known as BIM 101: An Introduction to Building Information Modeling, is the first of six planned courses in the BIM Education Program series. The series is designed specifically for construction professionals eager to learn the essential concepts of BIM, Sandherr noted. The course instruction is supported by real-world case studies and is designed to serve as a foundation for advanced courses.

The new curriculum, which was developed by the association in conjunction with the leading BIM practitioners, technology firms and educators, is designed to serve construction professionals, building developers, owners, managers, architects, engineers and construction product manufacturers, Sandherr added.

The courses can be taken at any of the association's 95 chapters, in addition to a range of construction firms and educational institutions. For more information about BIM 101 or for a listing of sites offering the class, please visit or contact Amy Fields, Senior Director of Curriculum and Program Development at curriculum@agc.org.

The first course, hosted by Íæż½ã½ã of DC, is being offered tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 starting at 7:30 a.m. EDT, at the Navy League/Íæż½ã½ã Building at 2300 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington, Virginia. Please contact us if you would like to attend the event.

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