Virtual reality could solve construction’s image problem

Grant Prior 8 years ago
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A Virtual Project Manager app has been launched to highlight construction management careers to young people.

Pupils from Edinburgh’s Leith Academy were joined by apprentices from Sharkey Group and First Call Trade Services to launch the app on the Google Play Store this week
Pupils from Edinburgh’s Leith Academy were joined by apprentices from Sharkey Group and First Call Trade Services to launch the app on the Google Play Store this week

The app takes youngsters inside an animated 3D world where they are in charge of building new homes.

The free app is part of Virtual Reality Careers in Construction, developed through Skills Development Scotland’s My World of Work Live! programme with partners the CITB, Heriot-Watt University and Animmersion UK Ltd.

It is one of three mini games available through My World of Work Live! which use Virtual Reality to highlight career opportunities within the construction sector.

Louise Chisholm, Senior Programme Manager for My World of Work Live! said: “This app immerses young people in a construction environment in a fun and engaging way.

“We hope it will help open their eyes to the wealth of opportunity the construction industry in Scotland has to offer.”

John Keenan, Partnerships Manager at CITB Scotland, said: “Virtual Project Manager is an innovative way of capturing young people’s imaginations about the fantastic opportunities a career in construction can provide them with.

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“We hope that it will enable users to experience construction and inspire them to get involved in the development of Scotland’s built environment in the future.”

Sam Harrison, Director of Animmersion UK Ltd said: “Working on this project with the three partners was a very rewarding experience. We were able to develop innovative new ways of bringing educational messages and content to a young audience and the results are truly remarkable.

“The use of virtual reality as a means of educational and training engagement offers boundless possibilities.”

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