In this environment, international certifications are gaining importance.

“They function as a portable signal of competence within globally distributed teams,” says Smith, emphasizing that the Official Graphisoft Certification adds competitive differentiation in cross-border projects.

The openBIM concept, he adds, supports this mobility by standardizing formats and collaborative practices. “When professionals work within shared standards, their competencies become internationally recognizable.”

Talent shortages are more evident in mature markets, where digitalization has become mandatory.

“Advanced BIM and coordination professionals are rarer, especially those who combine technical expertise with strong digital skills.”

Smith also highlights that digitalization directly impacts risk, cost, and timelines. “Coordinated models reduce rework, data transparency enables earlier decision-making, and standardized workflows accelerate execution. This increases predictability — a central factor for investors.”

Traditional education, however, has not kept pace with the speed of transformation. “Many programs emphasize theory, while the market values applied learning and real-world experience with globally adopted platforms. That is why partnerships between technology providers and academia are becoming strategic.”

Cloud-based remote collaboration expands both opportunities and competition. “Geographic boundaries become less relevant. This broadens the talent pool for employers while increasing competition among professionals.”

In the medium term, Smith is clear: “Teams with strong digital capabilities deliver greater efficiency, transparency, and predictability — attributes increasingly valued by capital.”

From a Brazilian perspective, Diego Vargas, Sales Director at Graphisoft Brazil, believes the country is making steady progress.

“BIM adoption has grown with the support of public initiatives and private sector demand. There is still room to evolve in the integration between BIM and AI, but that represents a major opportunity.”

According to Vargas, the shortage of qualified professionals may affect Brazil’s competitiveness in attracting international capital.

“Talent limitations increase execution risk and may delay projects, impacting investor confidence.”

He acknowledges that some large-scale developments already operate with digital maturity comparable to European or North American standards. However, the overall level remains heterogeneous across the country.

Remote collaboration creates a dual dynamic: “It expands opportunities for Brazilian professionals to work globally, but also allows foreign companies to compete locally.”

For Vargas, international technical training tends to establish global quality standards, particularly when it combines methodology, validated tool expertise, and practical application.

Finally, Vargas emphasizes that digitalization extends far beyond the design phase.

“Data generated during development becomes a long-term asset, supporting construction, operations, performance monitoring, and retrofit. The lifecycle is no longer fragmented — it becomes continuous and data-driven.”

In this new phase of commercial real estate, professional development has moved beyond purely technical training to become strategic.

In an increasingly digital, global, and information-driven environment, those who master technology and applied skills will gain a competitive advantage.