BIM for PA: CUOA launches with 4Days the first advanced training course

67 years of continuous activity, the only one in Italy with this record; 14 master's degrees, a hundred course titles, 150 custom projects developed per year, 220 new master's graduates in 2024, with -in the current year- the achieved goal of 6,000 graduates, for a total of close to 10,000 units/year of users between master's degrees, courses and custom projects. These are the numbers that photograph the size and activity of Translated with DeepL.com (free version) CUOA, the prestigious Venetian business school that has along its illustrious path accompanied the growth and development of Italian business and management culture.

As of October 2024, CUOA has launched a new BIM introduction training course to support the staff of the Veneto Region, in collaboration with 4Days. About the new course and the prestigious context that hosts it, we talk with Anna Centomo – Marketing and Corporate Communication Manager CUOA – and Francesca Sala – Project Manager Area Custom CUOA.

Among several management schools, CUOA boasts a distinguished heritage. What is its winning and distinctive formula?

Anna Centomo: “In the panorama of Italian business schools-usually the emanation of a single university-CUOA has a unique governance model, composed of business and university, a factor that makes it an ideal bridge for dialogue between different organizations, public or private. With three business units, CUOA is structured as a company: the first is related to “custom projects,” tailor-made for businesses and organizations of all kinds (manufacturing and services, public organizations, institutions, et) and operates throughout the country. The other two, more classic units are concerned with MBAs and Master's and specialized executive courses, typically intercompany. To foster connections between people and organizations, the school actively promotes networking, organizing events and initiatives throughout the year. The goal is to enhance the learning and discussion initiated in the classroom, creating opportunities to build solid and useful relationships, a fundamental pillar of our school.”

In addition to Business School, CUOA also carries out intensive cultural ...

Anna Centomo: “We are very focused on outreach and disclosure. In this sense, we have a rich editorial line that we manage with two different publishers, Marsilio Editori and Post Editori, as well as a vertical monographic journal, a true unicum in the panorama of management journals. Last but not least, the school also pays special attention to the issue of sustainability: we are leading a path toward SDG's Compliance, with the drafting of the Sustainability Report, in order to give evidence of our impact on the 2030 Agenda Goals.”

In this context, how does a training course dedicated to BIM fit in?

Francesca Sala: “As part of CUOA's custom projects, I manage the care and design of those aimed at Public Administrations. In 2022 as CUOA we were awarded the tender called by the Veneto Region, a tender that resulted in a framework contract under which we carry out training courses on the needs that are gradually manifested to us by the directorate that oversees staff training. This summer the need for training for regional officials and managers on BIM was highlighted, a need that also arose in relation to the new Procurement Code. We were asked to imagine an introductory course precisely because there is still little knowledge of the methodology within PAs, where BIM is not yet widespread heritage.”

How did the collaboration with 4Days come about?

Anna Centomo: “It is our practice, especially for technical topics, to build alliances that allow us to become a reference point in our territories, developing quality experiences that can be replicated elsewhere. We had gotten to know 4Days for the BIM accompaniment activities carried out in Public Administrations and PA-specific training institutions, and it was thought, also for this reason, to start a path of collaboration.”

What is the process that led to the focus of the training process?

Francesca Sala: “We have focused on the training needs by involving the region's training directorate, opting for an introductory cut and reserving a possible further step with the figures who will be more actively involved on these issues within the Authority.

We believe, in fact, that it is essential to first create a culture around the introduction of a new methodology such as BIM, fertile ground for a good understanding of its potential for PA in public works, following what has already been happening for years in the private sector.”

How is the course structured?

Francesca Sala: “For this first year, we have activated a course consisting of 16 hours of teaching, which will involve a total of - in 3 editions - about a hundred officials and managers reported by the regional directorates most directly affected by the subject. The course is structured in an in-presence opening session and subsequent online sessions. To have opened in presence with Marco Lotti was important; the class immediately became passionate about the subject. ”

Compared to these initial steps, how did the classes and PAs involved react?

Francesca Sala: “With much interest and participation. The initiative was received as an important opportunity offered by the region, and this certainly bodes well for a possible continuation of the activity.

Indeed, through this first course, participants became aware of the benefits of the methodology and the need to structure themselves within the region with ad hoc figures and processes, gaining confidence and insight into the next steps needed.

We can imagine that the need for in-depth study and verticalization on the topic will soon become apparent, at least for some of the figures identified in the Code. We count on being able to continue, even with the support of 4Days, because the premises are more than positive. ”