With digital capability becoming essential for organisations to futureproof their business, RLB’s Chief Digital Officer, Matt Sharp talks to CIOB People about a new initiative that is equipping their workforce with the latest data and digital skills
RLB’s Data and AI Transformation Academy was born from both necessity and a proactive approach to change things in the built environment.
The initiative aims to address the industry’s urgent need for digital upskilling and better data literacy, as well as bridging the gap between traditional construction practices and advanced technologies.
“We recognised that the industry is changing quite quickly,” Sharp says. “The construction lifecycle needs to be more data-aware from [both] efficiency and auditability perspectives.”
Industry developments such as the Building Safety Act, the ‘golden thread’ and modern methods of construction require solid digital and data management skills.
The academy has been developed in partnership with Multiverse, an external provider specialising in AI, data and digital skills that’s worked with companies such as tech giant Microsoft, Citibank and online food delivery platform Just Eat.
‘Data enthusiasts’
The 12-month programmes in the Data and AI Transformation Academy have been designed to match RLB’s specific needs.
Those who complete the programmes earn a nationally recognised certification, which validates their skills and expertise in data and digital disciplines.
When RLB publicised the academy across the company before its launch, it received a positive response from “enthusiasts” interested in completing the courses – some were volunteers and others were nominated.
“Those who go on the course through nomination are recommended by their line managers as ‘data enthusiasts’.
Job roles of RLB’s workers taking the courses include cost managers, project managers, building surveyors and others across the company’s service line.
The academy’s courses
The RLB academy’s current three core courses are a level 4 ‘data fellowship’ apprenticeship programme, an AI for business value programme, and a business transformation fellowship.
Sharp says that what makes the academy stand out is its emphasis on practical elements. The programmes begin with intensive learning and transition into real-world applications.
Participants are encouraged to integrate their skills into client-facing projects to improve their quality, efficiency and outcomes.
Its goal is to empower learners to leverage data for effective decision-making and actionable insights.
“The nature of our business can be quite analytical and data-driven anyway and our people are already data-savvy,” says Sharp. “For this fellowship, we found data enthusiasts who we are upskilling with higher data skills – how do you analyse and store data, what tools can you use?”
The AI for business value course teaches the practical applications of AI in business contexts.
Participants are equipped with an understanding of AI tools and frameworks, allowing them to identify AI-driven opportunities and align these solutions with RLB’s strategic goals.
Sharp says: “We are identifying people to go into this course to harness AI tools and take the next step in our transformation. [The aim is to] bring AI solutions to how we run our business and the quality of outcome that we can deliver to our clients.”
Strategic investment
The feedback on the courses has been very positive so far, Sharp says. RLB now aims to have a new cohort every six months and increase the number of courses.
Looking ahead, RLB plans to take the Academy further, with programmes addressing emerging industry challenges.
The aim is to further empower employees with cutting-edge digital and data capabilities while “pollinating” the broader company with these skills.
The academy will grow hand in hand as the business expands, ensuring its workforce has the best data skills and positions RLB at the digital forefront in the built environment, Sharp says.
He concludes: “Our business has grown from 600 to more than 1,400 people in the UK. We see digital and data capability as an underpinning foundation that our colleagues will need to take RLB forward. This is a real strategic investment.”
This is an abridged version of an article that first appeared in CIOB People.
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