CIVIL 3D TRAINING - HOW THE PANDEMIC ACCELERATED TRAINING CHANGES

I’ve been training and consulting now for almost 20 years!! Which sounds crazy!  I traveled the world doing instructor-led training on anything Autodesk, and anything infrastructure.  But I remember the exact day it all changed for me!  I just wrapped up a 4-day Intermediate to Advanced Civil 3D training and was sitting in a Chicago airport when the news broke that the first cases of Covid were confirmed in the US and we were entering “pandemic mode”. 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person Civil 3D training has undergone a significant transformation. What was once a hands-on, classroom-based experience focused on face-to-face collaboration and instructor-led guidance has evolved to incorporate new technologies, hybrid learning models, and enhanced digital tools. The consultants and trainers who wanted to survive have adapted their methods to balance safety, flexibility, and efficiency — often blending traditional instruction with online resources and virtual demonstrations. As the industry continues to adjust to post-pandemic expectations, in-person Civil 3D training now looks different, emphasizing smaller class sizes, interactive digital integration, and a renewed focus on practical, project-based learning.  5-6 years ago I would have said the ROI on virtual training was really poor, and in person training was the only real way to be successful.  Now, over the past few years, I’ve completely changed my mind on what makes a successful training.  This article mentions Civil 3D, but you can replace Civil 3D with just about any design software and the training methods have changed.  Let’s discuss how.

Shift Toward Hybrid Learning

• Pre-COVID: Most Civil 3D courses were conducted entirely in classrooms or training labs with on-site computers.
• Post-COVID: Training now often blends virtual prep sessions or self-paced modules with shorter in-person workshops.
• Example: Participants complete basic AutoCAD or interface lessons online before the in-person Civil 3D lab.
• Result: In-person time is spent on complex, project-based tasks rather than fundamentals.

Smaller, More Customized Groups

• Class sizes have become smaller (often 4–8 people rather than 10–15).
• Instructors can now tailor exercises to a firm’s workflows (e.g., roadway design, grading, or pipe networks) rather than using generic examples.  Even utilizing customer datasets and live projects, which I highly recommend.
• This customization increases engagement and retention — something clients expect more of since the move away from generic online webinars.

Enhanced Use of Technology in the Classroom

• In-person sessions now integrate digital collaboration tools:
• QR codes or tablets for accessing datasets or lesson files.
• Live model sharing (e.g., via BIM 360 or Autodesk Docs) to demonstrate real-time design coordination.
• Polls and screen-sharing apps to gauge understanding and engagement.
• Trainers often encourage participants to connect laptops to the company’s own Civil 3D environment, creating a smoother transition to real projects. Or, as I mentioned above, use a real project!!

More Focus on Applied, Project-Based Learning

• Rather than walking through menus and commands, instructors now focus on workflow and outcome-based training:
• Designing a subdivision from survey data through to grading and sheets.
• Managing data shortcuts, surfaces, corridors, and pipe networks in a real project context.
• This shift responds to the demand for practical, job-ready skills — a lesson learned during the remote learning boom.

Expanded Focus on Collaboration and Cloud Workflows

• Since many engineering teams now work hybrid, in-person Civil 3D training emphasizes collaborative project management through:
• Autodesk Docs / BIM 360 integration
• Data shortcuts and references in shared environments
• Best practices for multi-user coordination
• Trainers often include lessons on version control, cloud storage, and interoperability — topics that were rarely covered pre-pandemic.

Continuous Learning Culture

• Instead of one-off, multi-day bootcamps, many firms now adopt modular, ongoing training programs.
• Example: A two-day in-person course followed by monthly 2-hour virtual follow-ups.
• This approach helps reinforce learning, track adoption, and accommodate hybrid work schedules.

Retention Challenges in Civil 3D Training

At the end of the day, it’s all about retention.  People learn and retain info in so many different ways, it’s hard to create a one size fits all training program.  It depends on the structure of the online training and the learner’s engagement, but on average, people retain less from purely online Civil 3D training compared to well-run in-person or hybrid sessions.  And sitting in a 3-day class doing a beginning to end type of training following a manual, has all but died out!!  Hsiung and Ritz are researchers who have collaborated on a lot of academic work, notably in the field of engineering education using distance learning.  Some of their research compares how well engineering students retained CAD concepts after online and in-person training. They found that blended learning models (a mix of online and in-person training) produced the highest retention rates, as learners could revisit materials digitally while still benefiting from in-person demonstrations and Q&A.

Here’s a breakdown of why — and what helps improve retention:

Hands-on Skill Loss

• Civil 3D is a spatial, command-intensive, and workflow-based tool.
• Without an instructor physically nearby to correct mistakes or demonstrate steps in real time, or in real world scenarios which tend to be overlooked in a lot of online/manual led training courses, learners often miss subtle but critical setup steps (like data shortcuts, surface definitions, or style/label management).
• This leads to lower skill retention even if participants understand concepts during the session.  And most trainers have all sorts of tips and tricks, not just every day picks and clicks!  Those are easily missed when learning virtually.

Screen Fatigue and Distraction

• Long online sessions lead to cognitive overload and fatigue for not only the learner, but the instructor. 2-4 hour online sessions seem to be the sweet spot for most.
• Learners are more likely to multitask or mentally drift, especially during repetitive modeling exercises.

Limited Peer Interaction

• In-person labs allow participants to observe others’ screens, ask spontaneous questions, and share tips.
• Online settings reduce these micro-interactions, which are actually key to deeper learning and memory.

Factors That Improve Retention Online

When designed intentionally, online Civil 3D training can still be highly effective. The following features dramatically boost retention:

Modular, Microlearning Format

• Splitting content into short (1–2 hour) modules with focused objectives improves retention and prevents overload.
• Example: Separate sessions for surfaces, alignments, and corridors rather than one long workshop.

Guided Practice and Follow-Alongs

• Retention increases when learners actively reproduce tasks instead of just watching demos.  In all trainings I do, I follow the tell, show and do method.  I first TELL them about the feature and methods we’re about to do, I then request their attention to SHOW them what was discussed, and then turn the time over to them to DO it themselves.

·       According to Autodesk’s 2022 Learning Partner Insights Report, learners who practiced Civil 3D tasks on actual project data retained 35–45% more knowledge after three months compared to those who only observed or followed static exercises.

Interactive Tools

• Use of polls, breakout rooms, quizzes, and annotated screen sharing helps recreate in-person engagement.
• Tools like GoToTraining, Zoom’s annotation features, or Miro boards allow for feedback and collaboration.

Ongoing Reinforcement

• Short follow-up Q&A or refresher sessions every few weeks greatly improve long-term retention.
• Recording sessions for review also helps participants revisit complex topics.  All screensharing tools anymore record and even transcribe the session.

Comparative Retention (Based on Industry Trends)

While exact numbers vary, here’s a general pattern from training providers and Autodesk Learning Partners:

Training Mode	Average Immediate Retention	3-Month Retention	Notes
In-person	~75–85%	~65–75%	High engagement, hands-on correction
Hybrid	~70–80%	~60–70%	Best balance of flexibility and practice
Online (lecture-style)	~50–65%	~40–55%	Often too passive or fatiguing
Online (interactive, modular)	~70–80%	~60–70%	Strong results when well designed

(These figures are based on aggregated findings from post-training assessments reported by Autodesk-authorized training centers and adult learning studies, not formal academic experiments.)

Strategic Planning

I was recently asked by a national engineering firm, “How should we structure the demand for hands on training versus web based training?

That’s a very strategic question — and it’s exactly the kind of balance most engineering firms are trying to strike post-COVID.

For an engineering firm using Autodesk Civil 3D, the key is to structure training demand based on skill type, role, and project phase — using hands-on (in-person) training where tactile learning and collaboration matter most, and web-based (online) learning where flexibility and scalability matter most.

Here’s a proven framework firms are using successfully:

Start with a Skills Matrix

Before deciding delivery methods, map out your team’s skills vs. responsibilities:

• Entry-level / junior designers: Need deep, hands-on exposure.
• Intermediate users: Need targeted skill upgrades and workflow efficiency.
• Senior engineers / project managers: Need conceptual understanding of workflows, data management, and collaboration, but not deep command-level work.

Divide Topics by Delivery Type

Training Type	Best Delivered	Why	Examples (Civil 3D)
Core Skills / Fundamentals	Hands-On, In-Person	Learners need tactile practice and instructor guidance.	Survey data import, surface modeling, corridor creation
Advanced Workflows / Troubleshooting	Small Group, Hands-On (Lab)	Requires instructor correction and iterative design.	Intersection design, pipe networks, grading optimization
Conceptual / Theoretical Topics	Web-Based (Live or Self-Paced)	Command-level detail less critical; great for flexible access.	BIM workflows, Civil 3D data shortcuts, project standards
Refresher or Update Sessions	Web-Based	Short sessions maintain skills without major disruption.	New Civil 3D release features, style management tips
Cross-Discipline Collaboration	Hybrid	Combines online coordination with in-person alignment.	Civil 3D + Revit + InfraWorks data exchange

 

Use a Tiered Training Strategy

Tier 1: Foundation (Hands-On)

• Audience: New users, interns, or role transfers.
• Delivery: Multi-day, in-person or hybrid lab.
• Focus: Building surfaces, alignments, corridors, pipe networks.
• Frequency: Quarterly or semi-annually.

Tier 2: Workflow Integration (Hybrid)

• Audience: Practicing designers and CAD leads.
• Delivery: Online workflow briefings + short in-person project sessions.
• Focus: Standardization, data management, quality control.

Tier 3: Continuing Education (Web-Based)

• Audience: All staff.
• Delivery: Recorded microlearning or lunch-and-learns.
• Focus: Software updates, efficiency tips, and cross-disciplinary coordination.

Align with Project Cycles

• Before major projects: schedule hands-on refreshers for core users.
• During project delivery: emphasize on-demand web training for troubleshooting and updates.
• After delivery: run debrief sessions (hybrid) to capture lessons learned and update internal Civil 3D standards.

Practical Ratios Used by Top Firms

Many successful engineering firms follow a training mix such as:

Mode	% of Total Training Hours	Purpose
Hands-On (In-Person / Lab)	40–50%	Skill-building & project readiness
Hybrid Workshops	20–25%	Cross-team workflow and collaboration
Web-Based (Live or Recorded)	25–35%	Ongoing reinforcement & updates

 

This balance keeps costs manageable while maintaining strong technical competency.

Some Final Best Practices

• Build all training plans around project relevance — real company templates, datasets, and deliverables.
• Maintain a Civil 3D skill library or LMS with modules for self-paced refreshers.
• Use experienced trainers or internal “super users” to lead small-group sessions.
• Track training ROI via reduced rework, improved model quality, or shortened project setup time.

As the needs of the engineering and design industry continue to evolve, training providers have adapted their methods to keep pace. Civil 3D instruction has moved beyond traditional classroom delivery to embrace flexible, interactive, and technology-driven approaches. By incorporating online platforms, self-paced learning modules, and practical, project-based exercises, training providers can offer more engaging and effective programs. This evolution not only enhances learner outcomes but also ensures that Civil 3D training remains relevant and aligned with industry advancements.

BIO: Shawn has been a part of the design engineering community for roughly 20 years in all aspects of design, construction and software implementations.  He has implemented and trained companies across the Country on Civil 3D and other infrastructure tools and their best practice workflows. Shawn can be reached for comments or questions at sherring@prosoftnet.com.