What is the Key to Developing Leading Digital Construction Skills?
Adopting digital construction technologies enables architects, project managers, and builders to better coordinate construction designs before works commence. Mastering Building Information Modelling (BIM) tools such as Revit is key – but then so is building leadership skills to manage the integration of these digital design tools into projects. ENGDOC BIM Specialists, an expert solutions provider in Sligo town, excels at developing talent to lead on the digital side of building projects nationwide.
Since its founding in 2006, ENGDOC BIM Specialists has become one of Ireland’s leading BIM solutions providers, transforming how building projects are planned, coordinated, and delivered.
But ENGDOC isn’t just leading in implementing practical digital design principles. The company is also an Authorised Training Centre for Autodesk, one of the core digital construction technologies used in building projects industry-wide. This demonstrates ENGDOC’s commitment to supporting skills development in BIM and making the practice a de facto part of building, regardless of the size of the company or project.
Further evidence of ENGDOC’s commitment to skills development in Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is a willingness to train the team and promote from within.
Sandra Walczak and Tetiana Kyrylenko are Lead Coordinators responsible for managing the work of BIM Technicians; coordinating with architects, contractors, and client on projects; and supporting advanced BIM modelling. Both joined the company at a similar time, and neither had strong established experience in using BIM software or other digital construction technologies. Yet, within a few years, both had reached this leadership role supporting the team to ensure projects are delivered to a high standard.
Sandra first studied a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Interior Architecture and Design from Atlantic Technological University. After, she decided to pivot her expertise towards building with a Certificate in Digital Construction Technology. This decision proved critical as, shortly afterwards, she took up a BIM Coordinator role at ENGDOC.
“David [Mullen, Managing Director of ENGDOC] showed a lot of faith to hire me having just started studying digital construction technology. He said he could easily supplement my knowledge with basic training, so in my first few months I completed short courses in Revit and AutoCAD to ground me in the tools needed for the job. It also helped to work on live projects at the same time.”
Lead Coordinator for ENGDOC
Tetiana, meanwhile, came to the role at ENGDOC with experience three years’ experience in engineering and using AutoCAD to render designs for mechanical systems in her native Ukraine. After moving to Ireland, she was placed at the Sligo company through the Work Placement Experience Programme with the help of the local employer liaison officer in the Department of Social Protection.
“The six-month placement gave me the opportunity to develop my digital construction skills in a live work environment while adapting to BIM workflows. I was then offered a permanent role as a BIM Coordinator after the placement. This was a relief as I was concerned when I first came to Ireland that the language barrier would inhibit me in building my career. Working primarily on digital software rather than live onsite meant there was less pressure.”
Lead Coordinator for ENGDOC
Both Sandra and Tetiana, after becoming BIM Coordinators, continued learning and upskilling in key areas of the business. Successfully completing the Autodesk Certified Professional (ACP) exam in Mechanical Design course helped build core competencies around the digital design of mechanical systems - something Tetina was more familiar with practically than digitally, while Sandra was more familiar with structural rather than mechanical design. Extending their understanding of digital design principles as applicable to different construction elements helped both professionals take on a broader range of projects in their field.
With Sandra and Tetiana joining the organisation at a similar level within months of each other, both were promoted to their current positions in early 2026.
As Lead Coordinators, they are responsible for manging communications between clients, architects, contractors, and the design team; coordinating design requirements for projects; and identifying and addressing points of potential delay. People management is also core to the role, with both Sandra and Tetiana coordinating team meetings and quality checking assignments and re-modelling designs as required.
“There is a lot of self-directed learning, taking on how different clients use and integrate different digital design packages. It’s also important to understand how different quality and compliance standards apply on different projects. One of the biggest challenges I am facing is establishing standardised workflows across contractors and subcontractors. You have to spend a lot of time outside of the day-to-day working processes to build soft skills that can help in these areas.”
Lead Coordinator for ENGDOC
“Coordination across different design and construction disciplines is very important in this role. Clear communication is also a very valuable skill.”
Lead Coordinator for ENGDOC
ENGDOC were active in providing mentoring to both professionals as they adjusted to their new management roles. Tetiana in particular noted the support of BIM Lead Donovan Ivory, while Sandra said David Mullen was helpful in her transition. The pair now coordinate Revit modelling and CAD services performed by a team of BIM Technicians and BIM Coordinators working on projects across Ireland and Europe. These developments span residential, healthcare, data centres, and more.
The future looks bright for Sandra and Tetiana as they continue to focus on building their skillsets in digital construction, to excel in leasing and coordinating on projects.
“I am undertaking a Master’s in BIM Leadership through ATU. I have gained a huge amount of knowledge in ISO 19650 and other key building standards, which I see applied in projects regularly but can now appreciate from the standpoint of leading on compliance. ENGDOC is covering all of the costs of this training, and I am delighted to also get ideas and support from the experienced BIM professionals on the team, to help with assignments. It’s a massive opportunity for me to apply theoretical best-practice in a practical business environment.”
Lead Coordinator for ENGDOC
“ENGDOC offers such an amazing suite of training – my next focus is on Professional Architectural Design using Revit. I didn’t have much exposure to this area working as an engineer, so it interests me. I also want to develop new soft skills that will compliment my Lead role. Communication has always been important in my past roles, so developing my skills here would be useful.”
Lead Coordinator for ENGDOC
With the continued support of a leading BIM solutions provider and certified trainer, Sandra and Tetiana will be in safe hands as they continue to develop the skills in Modern Methods of Construction that will help them evolve with a changing industry.
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