Search results

The project will pilot employer engagement activities and individual support to potential new entrant apprentices with a priority focus on under-represented groups.  Apprentices will be connected to construction employers and offered workplace site visits, one-to-one interactions and work experience. 

The aim of the pilot is to develop new resources and guidance to support employers to recruit and inspire a diverse range of new entrants into the industry via the Higher Level Apprenticeship route.

The project will deliver a real-world GB-wide infrastructure that will deliver immersive learning to the industry in a sustainable and scalable way. This will be completed through six focused delivery Hubs across three nations, located at:

1. Leeds College of Building
2. Construction Wales Innovation Centre
3. Construction Scotland Innovation Centre
4. Dudley College
5. Waltham Forest Construction Innovation Centre
6. Bridgewater & Taunton College

Through these Hubs, the project will deliver four Strands of interventions to 2,440 learners which will reduce error, accident rates and time/cost factors in delivering training. Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) modules will be developed across the following work streams delivered in each Hub:

1. Working at height/scaffolding using VR
2. Building de-construction using BIM and VR
3. Wood/paint-spraying machines with AR
4. Surveying using drones in a VR space.

This will be supported by a 'train-the-trainer' programme to deliver immersive learning in the industry, as well as the development of a bespoke learner management system.

At the end of the project, the six hubs will act as centres of excellence where industry can walk in with a training need, be upskilled on how to use immersive technologies, develop immersive learning solutions and access immersive training through the hardware and content funded by CITB.

The project will support colleges delivering the Apprenticeship requirement for 20% off-site learning for Form Working, Steel Fixing and Concrete Pouring focusing on the nuclear sector.  It will use augmented reality (AR) to enhance the acquisition of skills and competencies that are then reinforced on site using a collaborative virtual reality (VR) classroom that each apprentice can access remotely.

This will minimise time off-site through a virtual learning environment, increase engagement through technology native to the target group, and enhance knowledge retention and achievement.

Apprentices will use state of the art immersive learning headwear in college to enhance real-world learning.  They will then be given a low-cost mobile VR headset that they will take to site that will be worn off-site at scheduled times to refresh skills in a collaborative virtual environment shared with other apprentices and the college lecturer.

After the project, Bridgwater & Taunton College will have shown how immersive learning can be used to improve the acquisition and retention of knowledge. They will have stablished a way to deliver collaborative learning through this technology and will have developed materials for others to take the same approach.

The project has three key threads, addressing directly the school, FE and HE sectors.

In partnership with Microsoft, the first thread targeting primary school teachers will use the Minecraft Virtual construction scenario to stimulate and encourage school-age children to consider careers in the built environment. Strong support from Microsoft will lead to UK-wide Minecraft ‘clubs’ creating a nationwide exposure to STEM and the construction industry in particular.

A second thread will establish two fixed site ‘hub’ facilities enabling practical reinforcement  and integration with students’ learning experience.

A third thread will implement a mobile facility to enable cost-effective engagement over a wider geographical area from each hub. Each mobile unit will provide typically three-day events based in FE/HE institutions.

Commission: Employer led training and employment pathways into construction for ex-offenders. The project will map existing training / employment provision for ex-offenders.

It will develop tailored frameworks encompassing employers, offender management services, training and third sector to detail clear pathways into construction employment. The frameworks will reflect existing skills shortages and upcoming needs across Wales.

Commission: Employer led training and employment pathways into construction for ex-offenders. The project will create a Scotland-wide sustainable framework of employer led learning and employment pathways into construction for ex-offenders. The project will enable employers of all sizes to partner with prisons and other services on a longer term basis and help to identify other possible interactions. By the end of the project, participants will have built a coherent framework which takes account of demand, best practice and employer incentives.

Commission: Construction contextualised curriculum to improve the appeal of working in construction. The aim of the project is to develop a pan Wales construction curriculum resource that facilitates and standardises an end to end offer, which is currently only undertaken by construction companies on an ad hoc basis. 

The project will support teachers and careers advisors to contextualise the curriculum by developing curriculum support and guidance and will produce resources to support C&BE Welsh Baccalaureate challenges.

Commission: Schools and employer engagement to improve the appeal of working in construction. The project will focus on inspiring students to consider the many different career opportunities to people of all academic abilities within construction educating parents, careers advisors and teachers about the construction industry. The activity will run across Wales and will focus on schools that are not currently engaged or increase engagement with those that are already engaged students will partake in a construction process over a 6-8 week period, during after school clubs. All resources and case studies will be made available on Go construct for wider use.

The project will support a demographic of hard to reach workers who require their skills to be recognised, wish to develop or change careers within the sector.  It will do so by building assessor capacity and delivering relevant qualifications to the target group therefore providing them with an opportunity to progress into a new career within the sector.

Commission: School and Employer Engagement to improve the appeal of working in construction. The project will deliver a system of engagement between schools, colleges, Skills Development Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, construction employers and careers schemes to address the issue of low aspirations to a career in construction. The delivery will include support for trade demonstrations, professional career events, raising awareness of construction to career advisors, onsite visits and computer simulations.