A new era for digital construction skills has begun with the launch, by the Digital Twin Skills Academy ‘DTSA’ of its ground-breaking course: an Introduction to Digital Construction using Digital Twins. The brainchild of and led by Dr Bola Abisogun OBE, founder and President of the DTSA, this micro-credential has been developed with and approved by OCN London.
The strategic collaboration between DTSA, OCN London and the Digital Twin (DT) Hub at Connected Places Catapult, signals industry-wide recognition that digital twin literacy is no longer optional but essential. The DT Hub will be funding the first 100 DTSA digital badges, for learners.
Introduced by way of a Case Study, in a new report by the Construction Leadership Council this innovative Level 3 qualification – the first nationally recognised credential specifically for digital twin construction skills – targets learners aged 16-25 and career changers, providing unprecedented foundational understanding of digital twins and their transformative potential in the built environment. The course’s unique structure integrates rigorous academic frameworks established by CDBB, whose pioneering research underpins the UK’s National Digital Twin programme, with practical applications developed by DTSA’s industry-leading practitioners
The DT Hub has played a pivotal role in advancing the adoption of digital twins across the UK, fostering a community of practice and developing resources that underpin the course’s learning outcomes. The course content draws directly from the pioneering work of and contributions by Dr Bola Abisogun OBE, amassed during his tenure at the Centre for Digital Built Britain (CDBB), whose research and frameworks have shaped the UK’s approach to digital construction. Learners will benefit from the foundational knowledge established by CDBB and further developed by the DT Hub, ensuring the curriculum reflects the latest thinking and best practice in the sector.
At the heart of the course are the Gemini Principles: Purpose, Trust, and Function, which provide the ethical and practical framework for information management in digital construction. These principles, first articulated by CDBB and championed by the DT Hub, are woven throughout the course units. Learners will explore how the Gemini Principles underpin the development and governance of digital twins, and how they can be applied to real-world construction scenarios to improve safety, collaboration and societal outcomes.
The curriculum also covers critical topics such as data sharing and ethics, drawing on the framework from the DT Hub and the Open Data Institute (ODI), and introduces practical tools for managing digital twins across the asset lifecycle. Case studies, including high-profile examples like Grenfell Tower, demonstrate the real-world impact of digital twins on safety and management. The course concludes with a focus on career pathways, highlighting emerging roles and skills needed for the future of digital construction.
By supporting this training, the DT Hub continues its mission to build capacity and capability in digital twin technology, ensuring the next generation of engineers has the readiness to deliver safer, smarter and more sustainable built and managed environments.
Contact Dr Bola Abisogun OBE for more information; sales@digitaltwinskills.academy
‘My pro-bono commitment and time spent at the University of Cambridge, Centre for Digital Built Britain ‘CDBB’ afforded me a unique opportunity to develop my ‘use-case’ for digital twins, in social housing as part of my campaign for change, following the tragedy of Grenfell Tower, in June 2017.
On completion in March 2022, I was inspired to establish the DTSA, as a ‘not-for-profit’ Academy, to share my 32-month stint at CDBB and lived experience, with young people and a sector of society, who would otherwise never have access to such a pathway or industry insight.
With barrier-free entry requirements and portfolio-based assessment, this course democratises access to cutting-edge construction technology education, serving site-based professionals, aspiring architects, engineers, surveyors, project owners and those seeking sustainable career pathways.
By establishing the first structured educational pathway into digital twin technology, the DTSA is catalysing innovation in construction project delivery, enabling safer, more collaborative, and environmentally sustainable outcomes. Working with our partners, including the DT Hub, our initiative positions the UK as a global leader in digital construction education, creating exportable expertise that will influence international construction standards and practices for decades to come.’
Dr Bola Abisogun OBE
Founder, DTSA
‘The Digital Twin Hub is enormously proud to partner with the DTSA and OCN in the launch of this micro-credential for young people and career changers. It is a first for the construction industry and a showcase example of how we can encourage a new generation to learn about the transformative potential of digital twins.
The course not only addresses the skills gap for the technology but creates a pathway for those who may not have seen digital construction as a career option.’
Catherine Condie FCIPR, Digital Twin Hub
Young people in STEM champion
First image courtesy of the CIPR.
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Thank you to all at DT Hub; end-to-end, it took almost 18months, but I truly appreciate your unwavering support!