In our last article on the GovDesignHub, we sat down with Michael Echave, the Structural Services Manager at ATG, to discuss the massive changes and digital transformation that has swept across the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.
Ultimately, the evolution of new advanced digital design solutions, including building information modeling (BIM) technologies, has the potential to improve AEC workflows, increase the efficiency of the government workforce, and improve collaboration across the entire AEC ecosystem.
Unfortunately, the pace of technological advancement is rapid, to say the least. While many of the most exciting developments in AEC and digital design technologies have emerged in the past decade, most of the government workforce was trained to use tools more than two decades ago. This creates a skill and knowledge gap, where current employees may be unprepared for, resistant to, or incapable of adopting the latest solutions.
In the second part of our discussion with Michael, we took a deep dive into the AEC skill gap within the federal government workforce. We also explored some of the training opportunities available to government employees so that they can leverage the awesome power of today’s AI and cloud-driven digital design solutions.
GovDesignHub (GDH): The average age of the federal workforce is 47.2. That means the average federal employee graduated college approximately 25 years ago. Have digital design tools changed significantly in that time?
Michael Echave: Considering the rapid evolution of technology over the past couple of decades – particularly in digital design tools – it’s safe to say that a lot of transformational change has happened in that time.
Advancements in software capabilities, user interfaces, and functionalities have revolutionized how design tasks are approached and executed. For instance, the transition from traditional desktop-based design software to cloud-based platforms has facilitated collaboration, enhanced accessibility, and streamlined workflows.
Moreover, integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms into design tools has brought unprecedented automation and efficiency. Tasks that once demanded considerable manual effort can now be accomplished swiftly with the assistance of intelligent design assistants and predictive features.
Furthermore, the proliferation of mobile devices and touchscreen interfaces has opened new avenues for design exploration and creativity. Mobile design applications have empowered designers to ideate, iterate, and prototype on the go, fostering flexibility and spontaneity in the creative process.
GDH: What are some of the large trends in digital design that we’ve seen in that time?
Michael Echave: One of the most notable trends has been the emphasis on user-centered design, with designers increasingly prioritizing intuitive and user-friendly experiences through rigorous user research and iterative processes. Concurrently, the rise of responsive and adaptive design approaches has addressed the diverse array of devices and screen sizes, ensuring seamless experiences across platforms.
“The integration of motion and interactive design, coupled with the emergence of AI and machine learning technologies, has further enriched digital experiences, paving the way for more dynamic and personalized interactions.” – Michael Echave
Accessibility has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital design, with designers integrating inclusive practices to accommodate users with diverse abilities. Design systems have gained prominence, facilitating consistency and scalability across digital properties. At the same time, advancements in prototyping and iteration tools have accelerated the design process, enabling designers to iterate rapidly based on user feedback.
The integration of motion and interactive design, coupled with the emergence of AI and machine learning technologies, has further enriched digital experiences, paving the way for more dynamic and personalized interactions.
GDH: I would assume that agencies need to upskill and reskill some of their workforce to use these applications. What professional development tools are available to help them train their workforce on these solutions?
Michael Echave: The federal government and its employees have several professional development and upskilling opportunities available to them, including our ATG Bootcamps.
“Advancements in software capabilities, user interfaces, and functionalities have revolutionized how design tasks are approached and executed.” – Michael Echave
The ATG Bootcamps revolve around general fundamental knowledge and use of the software being taught. Typically, a lecture on a topic, a demonstration of what was lectured, followed by a hands-on exercise, and then an assessment question of what was taught. Following these main education delivery methods, training focuses on Visual, Audio, Reading/Writing, and Kinesthetic (VARK) learning modalities.
Moving beyond a fundamentals bootcamp, additional intermediate and advanced training can be added to round out an individual’s knowledge. These intermediate and advanced training courses are typically not as lengthy as a fundamentals course and may focus on a particular function or process within the software.
GDH: What can government agencies expect their employees to learn from these courses? How will these new skills and abilities benefit the agency?
Michael Echave: ATG Bootcamps provide general instructions on the software and give the end user a basic understanding of how to apply their knowledge of the software to functions related to their job.
What general training does not do is teach a workflow or a practical application for efficiency in using the program for a specific job or function. Users will need to understand how to apply knowledge gained to a particular job.
GDH: Are these classes only for reskilling and upskilling employees, or are these also good for maintaining and sustaining employee skills? Is it important to repeat these classes as new versions of the application become available?
Michael Echave: ATG Bootcamps are good for entry-level users with no experience with the software. They’re also useful as refresher training for users who may have had the software training previously or who may have learned on their own. Regarding self-discovery learners, the bootcamp classes focus on the proper usage of tools, which a self-taught user may benefit from.
“Considering the rapid evolution of technology over the past couple of decades – particularly in digital design tools – it’s safe to say that a lot of transformational change has happened [in the past 25 years].” – Michael Echave
Bootcamps can be used for new hire orientations. They’re also effective for moving departments from an older system or software to the departments’ current software.
ATG is constantly updating courses to showcase improvements or updates in newer versions of the software. Should there be large changes, we may even offer a webinar showcasing new and improved functions within the software, so there’s no need to retake the entire bootcamp class to learn new features or functionality.
