STUDENTS at Northampton College can learn the art of welding using the very latest in virtual reality technology thanks to a state-of-the-art new simulator.
The college, based in Booth Lane, Northampton, has invested in a £55,000 VRTEX Virtual Reality Welding simulator to give students the opportunity to learn and hone their welding technique.
The simulator sees students practice their technique without the need for using real materials, saving time and giving them immediate feedback on their performance.
Lecturer Mark Clifford said: “The VRTEX 360 virtual welding system will allow us to reduce our material overheads and recruit and educate students into a career that is in high demand.
“It takes away students’ apprehensions of an area that is alien to them and will build the much needed confidence and hands on approach required at recruitment events, ticking a very big box regarding diversity.
“This system gives the students instant feedback on their performance with sound and onscreen feedback, helping the most advanced and the weaker students to develop their skills alike.”
Having assessed the various different virtual welders available, Northampton were won over by Lincoln’s VRTEX during a demonstration at a skills conference last October.
The students can keep track of their performance and log their best scores on the machine, much like a computer game, using the feedback to improve their performance.
Year 1 fabrication and welding student Tim Bott said: “It’s a great bit of kit and means I get to practice far more as I don’t need to keep having to use real materials. The feedback is brilliant and gives you fantastic detail on areas you can improve.
“The fact you can see your score each time gives you extra motivation to keep getting better. My best so far is 92 per cent and I’m desperate to keep getting higher.”
Lincoln’s David Kirkwood said: “We are certain that Northampton College will make a very worthy addition to our VRTEX family, as we continue to strive to improve STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) education across the UK.”
For more information on Fabrication and Welding courses available at Northampton College please visit www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk/courses/fabrication-and-welding.html