Augmented Reality welding kits have sparked the imagination of the next generation of tradespeople at Forth Valley College.
The new technology, part of the College’s new Skills Transition Centre (STC), consists of five full Soldamatic Augmented Reality welding machines for use in classrooms instead of workshops.
This new kit allows the College to take welding demonstrations to schools, increase the time Modern Apprentices (MAs) have to practice, and significantly reduce the amount of resources and energy used in training sessions.
Since the College started using the technology, school pupils have been introduced to the welding trade in their fourth year, when previously they would need to wait until leaving school and starting their apprenticeship.
Rosyth based shipbuilding multinational Babcock, who send their welding MAs to Forth Valley for training, has been impressed with the progress made by their apprentices training on the new equipment.
‘We have definitely seen quicker progress from our apprentices using the new virtual equipment than previous intakes. They are further ahead at the end of their first academic year than their colleagues who are a year above them due to the increased time they spend actually on the job, whereas previously their time using real time welding equipment was more restricted,’ said Alison Miller, Emerging Talent Business Partner, Marine Engineering & Systems, Marine & Technology, Babcock International Group.
The virtual technology has also enabled the College to write a bespoke training programme – including Babcock’s industrial training plan – which allows their MAs to learn the style of welds that are needed for the company’s projects.
Part of the Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal – a transformative collaboration between the UK and Scottish Governments, Falkirk Council and local partners, the STC is designed to drive innovation and help reskill and upskill the workforce.
The £4 million centre supports Scotland’s Just Transition by enabling learners to access sustainable employment opportunities within lower carbon industries over the coming decade.
The new equipment will help meet demand for welders primarily driven by new shipbuilding contracts at yards on the Clyde and the Forth. The College has seen a 15% increase in applications for welding courses and Modern Apprenticeships over the past year.
Over the next academic year the College will be training 80 fabrication and welding apprentices including 52 from Babcock.
Skills Transition Centre Project Manager Laura Fraser said:
‘With new ship building contracts being awarded by the Norwegian government to Babcock in Rosyth, demand for skilled welders is higher than ever. This new equipment enables us to train apprentices more effectively by giving them more time actually on the job learning, overall increasing their effectiveness making them ready to fit in as productive employees.
‘There is also a significant cost saving and environmental benefit element to the new equipment in saving on the resources used in training.’
Picture shows: The new Augmented Reality welding equipment is increasing the productivity of apprentices at Forth Valley College’s Skills Transition Centre.
For more information visit: https://www.forthvalley.ac.uk/about-us/skills-transition-centre
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