A new centre has been opened in Coventry that will use virtual reality technology to help train people for management jobs in construction.
The first facility of its kind to be built in the UK, the £8.7 million ACT-UK Simulation Centre utilises a 12-metre panoramic screen to recreate conditions found on a range of different types of building site.
Trainee mangers will therefore be able oversee construction work on these virtual sites and obtain practice in decision-making within a safe environment while their performance is observed and evaluated.
The centre was officially opened by the chancellor of Coventry University, Sir John Egan, who told attendees: « The launch shows the determination of the industry to further develop its leadership and professionalism.
« The immediate capability of the centre is fantastic but its future potential is absolutely huge. »
Its importance is underlined by recent signs of expansion in the building industry, with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply’s latest figures showing that the volume of construction work and the number of construction jobs available both grew in May.
Source: careerstructure.com
