Mission Statement
CitA was established as a research project in DIT Bolton St. in association with Waterford IT in May 2001, with the vision of harnessing the potential of ICT in the Irish Construction Industry. CitA was formally incorporated into a company limited by guarantee with no share capital in November 2005.
Membership of CITA is open to all stakeholders in the Irish Construction Industry (Architecture, Engineering, Construction, Operations – AECO)
In addition to attracting a large number of subscribing members, CitA has achieved a lot since its inception in 2001. Since 2008, CitA has secured annual funding from Enterprise Ireland and Skillnet Ireland for its networking and training programmes. The Alliance works closely with professional bodies and representative organisations of the AECO Sector including at high profile events: CitA BIM Gathering in 2013, 2015 & 2017, the CitA Smart Collaboration Challenge in 2014, the BIM Innovations Awards in 2016, and CitA Tech Live in 2018.
Who is CitA?
- CitA was established as a research project in Dublin Institute of Technology in association with the Waterford Institute of Technology in May 2001, with the vision of harnessing the potential of ICT in the Irish construction industry.
- CitA was formally incorporated into a company limited by guarantee with no share capital in November 2005. CitA is a not for profit organisation.
- Membership of CitA is open to all stakeholders in the Irish construction industry (Architecture-Engineering-Construction-Operations – AECO) who all share the CitA vision and want to participate in fulfilling CitA’s objectives.
- CitA is determined to lead the Irish AECO Industry in advancing its use of ICT and to direct its funding towards supporting members to implement more efficient work practices into the future.
What does CitA do?
- CitA transmits the latest information on technology trends through monthly events and annual conferences with experts in key areas whilst providing networking opportunities with peers.
- CitA BIM Gathering Conference was held in November 2013, 2015, & 2017, the CitA Smart Collaboration Challenge Conference was held in November 2014 and 2016, and CitA Tech Live in 2018.
- Since 2008, CitA has provided training grants from Skillnet Ireland for Construction specific courses to industry professionals. Since 2008, an average of 300 trainees are trained each year, totalling approximately 3,300 trainees.
- Impact on Jobs – survey carried out by CitA in July 2014 showed that 50% of unemployed participants who undertook training in 2012 and 2013 with CitA Skillnet are now in employment.
- The Alliance has robust links with the professional bodies and representative organisations of the AECO Sector. These include ACEI, CIAT, CIBSE, CIF, CIOB, DIT, Engineers Ireland, GMIT, ICES, IPFMA, IStructE, Law Society, LYIT, NDFA, OPW, RIAI, SCSI, University of Limerick, University of Ulster. All of the above are closely involved in the design of the monthly events and each body chairs an event.
- CitA BIM Linkedin Group which is a major focal point for debate on BIM related matters at home and overseas has in excess of 9,000 members.
- CitA BIM Education Forum was setup in January 2014 with the aim that together with other relevant industry partners on CitA BIM Group, CitA could develop the conversation around BIM in Education in a consistent and joined-up way, and the Forum could provide an opportunity for them to express their views/opinions, and find out what other organisations are doing with regards to education in BIM
Pilot Projects - CitA carried out a CitA Pilot Project in 2013. “The pilot project offered the opportunity to experience and disseminate practical lessons on proof of concept and the potential benefits/risks involved. The pilot team could see first-hand that by shifting project focus from design and construction to Facilities Management permitted a greater understanding of how a more rewarding building could be realised”
- Regional Events – CitA held a national BIM roadshow covering 6 counties in 2014 – 2018 highlighting the urgent requirement for the setting up of regional BIM hubs
- Research – CitA is extremely active in the production and publication of research through Dr. Alan Hore, Dr. Ken Thomas and Mr. Barry McAuley. This is evidenced by the significant number of papers both presented at international conferences and downloaded from research paper repositories.
