Page 18 - Gi March 2019 - Flipbook

the virtual training ground

deploying what they have learned to
achieve improved outcomes.
The British Plumbing Employers
Council (BPEC), an industry awarding
body, is currently working towards a
post-VR training test of knowledge,
with the potential of a Level 3
qualification for candidates. This will
underpin the training experience, the
knowledge they will have gained and
support an individual’s continuing
professional development.
Training the new way
The digital world of VR changes our whole
thinking about they way in which we can
train our employees. Until now, trainers
might have used slide presentations,
normative documents, and chalk and talk,
supported by example components and
possibly non-live test rigs.
The use of live environments is
usually too hazardous to risk using in
training. But the world of VR changes
all that, allowing trainee engineers
to experience all the facets of the live
environment, with none of the risk.
In the VR world, all the assets are
digitally created with a high degree of
reality that very closely mirrors the
environment engineers will encounter
while carrying out their day to day PHIL (R) DEMONSTRATES THE TECHNOLOGY
work activities.
Training in this way can better requires. The VR tool can also be used Virtual reality training can be carried
prepare those engineers to ultimately to test ongoing knowledge in areas of out in existing training rooms, third
work more effectively and safely, so that training that engineers and staff might party sites and smaller conference
on those rare occasions when the risk have learned years ago, but had little rooms. Conveniently, the training
becomes reality in the real world, their opportunity in their day to day work to can also be transported to different
actions on site can mitigate that risk keep fresh in their minds. business locations, reducing the costs
and hopefully prevent an incident. Each event can be supported by a test associated with employee travel.
of learning and knowledge, certificated Thanks to VR, engineers and staff can
Covering all the bases and therefore recognised and recorded rehearse otherwise hazardous tasks in
Virtual reality training can be developed for ongoing continual professional a safe environment while experiencing
to suit a wide range of work activities, development. the full range of activities they are
which can be conveniently broken Over time, employers, supported by expected to deploy when carrying out
down into individual training modules recognised organisations such as IGEM, such tasks for real.
and events. GATC Ltd, BPEC and others, can develop The opportunity to practice in a
Employers can also be fully involved a library of VR training scenarios, which completely safe environment can
in the end to end development process can be used to assist/train both new only improve safety and reduce
of their desired VR training experience, employees and refresh the knowledge costs. Digitally-created VR tools
ensuring that each programme fully of existing employees. Otherwise are a new addition to training and
matches the learning outputs they hazardous situations can be created in a one that should be embraced by
require. This can range from refining an digital world, which engineers and staff all, underpinning other exciting
existing VR scenario to suit their needs, can use to practice their skills without innovations in the gas industry.
right up to building their own unique exposing themselves or others to risk.
VR scenario from the ground up. Using Try out a VR demonstration for yourself
GATC Ltd as an example, employers can Where do we go from here? and discover the benefits this training
access the technical support and coding The digitally-created environment is tool can bring to your business. Visit the
expertise required to deliver exactly fast becoming a reality in its own right, GATC Ltd stand at IGEM’s conference Gas
what they want. recognised as a very valuable tool for Utilisation: Blueprint for the Future, on
Groups of engineers and staff can training gas industry operatives now 3 April. GATC Directors Phil Jenkins and
benefit from experiencing more than and in the future. It is a technology John Forrest, plus representatives from
one VR-supported training event, with that is available now to facilitate safe BPEC, will be on hand to explain more.
each event designed to provide expert training environments, removing the For more information, contact GATC Ltd
training and assessment in the various considerable costs involved in building at info@gasassess.co.uk or call 01443
areas of competence an employer and maintaining live training facilities. 841720 or visit www.gasassess.co.uk

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