I don’t have a job listing posted yet, but I thought it would be interesting to ask these questions:
Where do you find entry-level model builders and detailed people that are willing to spend hour after hour maintaining a TBC file as part of the project information system?
When it comes to TBC and model-building, what makes the difference between someone that “gets it”, and someone that would never excel at it no matter how much you paid them?
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You need to find people with a high level of OCD.
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OCD is a great attribute to have. I would add that someone who prepares early to plan for the future… what I mean by this is that the most important part of the model building process is setup.
Getting all your CAD files, PDF drawings, detail sheets, etc setup and organized, pages renamed, layers standardized…
these are all things that people typically cut corners on, but those who do it right the first time will almost always win
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I have found that EIT, fresh out of school, are better suited to the modeling but it takes a special kind of person to do it day in/out and maintain detail and accuracy. Generally, I have found, interest wanes after a few months.
My best ones have been geeky grade checkers with really clean trucks (the OCD mentioned above). Its the keeping them thats hard. Everyone has slightly different aspirations and they don’t always align with the long term investment required in building a surface detailer. Its a rough go, my empathy.
Nate
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About 15 years ago, I hired three modelers from a survey background. Two had experience with CAD, while one only had field experience. They collaborated and leveraged their expertise, which worked out exceptionally well for me. Two of them are still with me today, excelling in their roles, while the third returned to surveying and now runs a company.
Although they are smart, intelligence wasn’t my primary requirement. I value hard work and a willingness to learn, as I can provide the necessary training. I consider myself fortunate because modeling isn’t for everyone. While anyone can learn modeling, ensuring accuracy and reflecting the designers’ intent is crucial. Some projects are highly complex, but once you grasp the intent, the work, though still tedious, becomes more manageable.
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This is an interesting dilemma that is hitting more than just the construction industry. I believe this role is best suited by a Civil CAD Designer (specially focused with some field survey experience). I say this because a CAD Designer/Drafter understands well the necessity for attention to detail (OCD) and the fundamentals of why/how things are engineered. Now the CAD Designer/Drafter experience alone, can often lead to a disconnect to how things are actually constructed in the field, I can dream up models all day that no one could ever actually build :). This is why some construction survey background is necessary.
The only problem is drafting degrees are more and more rare, especially any that focus in Civil. My drafting degree was focused in mechanical, but all experience was gained through experience of working with civils and surveyors since I was a teenager. Regardless the intent was captured (I learned how to efficiently be OCD).
The industry has shifted to Engineers drafting/modeling their own designs. This has resulted in hiring EITs to do drafting work, but most of the time results in a short-term position, that ultimately has high turnover. When the individual gets licensed, they want to manage. I believe this also plays into the dive in plan quality and rise of errors and omissions. One individual is just doing to much.
I am sure there are infinite combinations of what will make the right person, usually starting with passion. But I wouldn’t trade countless hours of doing CAD work, for any of it. And understanding a good model builder probably isn’t going to be too excited to do all of the staking as well, that’s important too!
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CAD techs now days are a hard find. We have had job postings for a few months now and there has not been a whole lot of luck. Sure you get the ones that want to learn but getting the ones that have the knowledge are already working for in my opinion good pay. Sometimes college interns can fill that roll of maintaining project information files but they soon leave to go back to school, so that is a temporary fix. Ambition and drive are the two most important qualities you need to look for. Unfortunately in todays work force you have many who want the money but not the work load. A good place to start would be surveyors who have field experience and can put the two together. Doing the field work makes them more well rounded for the CAD tasks but again, finding them is the challenge. There are some who have a base knowledge of the CAD work but the tell tale sign they will never get it is when they refuse or lack the ambition to continue to learn the craft. Always a chance you take when hiring somebody. Todays market is also not cheap, if you want the quality CAD tech who has the skills, you will have to resign yourself to paying the higher wage. One way to get what you pay for is have the candidates take a test. It should include a little bit of all aspects you are looking for. If they pass, then you have someone who can fill your role. If they don’t, then you just vetted out the ones who lack the skill or who are close which means you can negotiate a lower starting salary. Hope this helps, I have had a heck of a time finding them too!
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Honestly, as a modeler, i’ve had a hard time finding job postings that are relevant to trimble/GPS systems, tons of C3D platform drafting jobs, tons of estimating jobs, and land survey jobs pop up but none if any for machine control and modeling using TBC. The ones I do find want someone in office as well which typically requires relocation of a job that doesnt really require or need to be in person in the first place, really cuts down the applicant field.
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