The electrical training ALLIANCE (etA) has partnered with IVRY Technologies, a division of IDEAL Industries, to launch virtual reality training as a learning resource for electrical apprentices at Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) centers across the United States.

The first installment of the Virtual Electrical Training (VET) program allows for immersive learning to develop skills as participants continue their training in the apprenticeship program. The VET experience uses digitally recreated IDEAL tools to teach the user pro tips such as wiring and installation techniques, how to use special tools, and industry code requirements.

“There is a significant need to create new kinds of training resources for those entering the electrical trades in order to close the ongoing labor shortage and widen the playing field within the industry,” said Doug Sanford, senior vice president at IDEAL.

The launch of the training module covers some of the topics in the first-year apprentice curriculum. These topics include scenarios covering the installation of a single-pole switch, single-pole switch and switched receptacle, two three-way switches controlling a light, controlling a light from three locations, installing a GFCI, and more. There are additional modules in development against an extensive content plan designed to support a five-year program.

“Virtual reality training experiences like this give apprentices a unique opportunity to deepen their understanding of the real-world experiences they will likely face on the job in a safe and cost-effective way as well as self-evaluate their progress while learning at their own pace,” said Paul Kolenda, director of new product development, R&D.

Both the etA and IDEAL are committed to training the next generation of electrical workers by using advanced technologies to increase safety and productivity through the use of interactive relevant simulations within a safe environment.

IVRY Technologies

“The launch of the VR program increases student learning and confidence by allowing them to prepare for the jobsite before being physically present on-site,” said Todd Stafford, executive director at the electrical training ALLIANCE. “By offering a 360-degree field of view of a typical site, the student is immersed into the content in a way that is not otherwise possible. In addition, the inclusion of detailed reporting associated with the VR simulations to the LMS allows both students and instructors to track progress and collaborate on individualized remediation, resulting in an even higher degree of retention of the concepts presented in the VR scenarios.”