In this Women in BIM conversation, Marie Grieve, Global Vice Chair of Women in BIM, speaks with Susan Brattberg, Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer of Global eTraining, about what it really takes to thrive in a fast moving digital industry. From building a global learning platform ahead of its time to championing skills as the ultimate equaliser, Susan shares powerful insights on leadership, confidence and why continuous learning is no longer a “nice to have”, it’s the foundation of future ready careers.
To start, could you briefly introduce yourself and your role at Global eTraining?
I’m the Co-Founder and Chief Customer Officer at Global eTraining. We’re a global online learning platform specialising in the AEC and manufacturing industries, and we support organisations and individuals all over the world. We currently learners in more than 150 countries.
My role focuses on our customers, partnerships and overall strategy, but at the heart of everything we do is helping organisations adopt technology more effectively and helping individuals build confidence in their digital skills. One of the things I’m most proud of is that our training isn’t generic, companies can customise it with their own workflows, onboarding processes and best practices, so learning is truly relevant to how they work.
We enable company, project and discipline specific learning at scale, which has traditionally been one of the biggest gaps in digital training.
Global eTraining is approaching its 18th year. How did 2020 and the COVID period mark a turning point for you personally and for the business?
2020 was a huge turning point for me. On a personal level, my son was born right as lockdowns began — we went into hospital before lockdown and came out after — so everything changed at once.
Professionally, COVID fundamentally shifted how the world viewed online learning. Before that, digital training was still considered a “nice to have,” with most organisations relying on instructor led training. Overnight, companies had no choice but to work and learn online, and that changed the conversation completely.
Because Global eTraining had always operated virtually, we were ready. We didn’t have to pivot. we were already there. That period allowed us to relaunch the business in many ways and we’ve seen significant growth since.
COVID didn’t create our model, it validated nearly two decades of forward-thinking digital learning.
Your team has always worked remotely. What benefits does this bring to your people and to your clients?
We’ve been a fully remote organisation from day one. Our team is spread across Canada, from Pacific to Eastern time zones, which allows us to support clients around the world.
Working remotely has made us strong communicators. We have to be clear, organised and flexible, especially when working asynchronously and across time zones. While we don’t see each other in person often, we make those moments count and the culture is very strong.
For our clients, this model means global support without geographic limitations. It also means we truly understand the realities of distributed, digital working because we live it ourselves.
Remote working isn’t a compromise for us; it’s a strategic advantage that reflects how modern AEC teams operate today.
What led you and your sister to found Global eTraining and has education always been central to your life?
Education has always been part of my life. My sister Holly and I co-founded Global eTraining and we come from a family with deep roots in education going back generations. My great-grandfather helped establish early schools in rural Alberta, my grandmother was one of the first teachers plus my mum and all her sisters were teachers.
My mum specialised in personalised learning and that philosophy has heavily influenced our business. For decades, personalised learning simply wasn’t scalable as it was too manual. Technology has changed that.
Before Global eTraining, we were already developing curriculum and running career colleges. Moving into online learning felt like a natural evolution. What we’re doing today is based on decades-old educational theory and technology has finally made it possible to deliver personalised learning at scale.
You’re a strong advocate for lifelong learning. What advice would you give to those who feel overwhelmed by training or skills development?
I truly believe education is power. Skills are the ultimate equaliser no one can take them away from you.
My advice is to stop thinking of training as a one-off event or something you have to “complete.” Learning should be continuous, practical and immediately applicable. Small, regular learning moments build confidence far more effectively than overwhelming programmes.
Training should support your real work, not sit separately from it. When learning feels relevant, it becomes empowering rather than intimidating.
Reflecting on your career so far, what achievement are you most proud of?
It’s hard to pick one moment. I’m incredibly proud of the business we’ve built and the people behind it. Over the past few years, we’ve built a strong leadership team and seeing their growth – and the teams they lead – is very rewarding.
I also love hearing from our customers and seeing the real impact we are having, whether that’s helping them transform their business, retain talent or build digital confidence across their teams.
Success isn’t just growth, it’s about having a sustainable impact on people.
What words of wisdom would you like to share with our Women in BIM community?
I have seen enormous change in this industry. When I started, women were a small minority. Today, the AEC sector is far more diverse and that diversity makes the industry stronger.
Everyone has an important role and an important voice. Digital skills don’t just build capability, they build confidence and influence.
My advice is simple: be bold, be brave and keep learning. You can make a real difference.
