With Australia moving to adopt a national qualification to enable workers to enter a construction site, a project is currently underway to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a 3D computer game to deliver occupational health and safety (‘White Card’) certification training for the construction industry.
This would enable workers to use a training computer game to learn and be assessed for the unit of competency required by the National Code of Practice for Induction for Construction Work, without being compromised by time and place. Importantly, it also allows trainees to gain real world experience ‘on site’ or ‘using’ industrial equipment without exposing them to potential risk.
The user makes a series of planning and safety-based choices, and interacts with supervisors and fellow workers, with the goal of successfully planning and performing a day’s work without injuring themselves or their fellow workers, or destroying equipment.
The game — which uses a highly flexible Unity 3D platform —can be delivered online in regional or remote locations via a web browser and National Broadband Network (NBN) connectivity, via downloadable file to computers over high-speed internet or on smart phone or tablet devices connected to high-speed internet.
The project has been made possible through funding from the National VET E-learning Strategy, whose NBN E-learning Programs provide opportunities to create innovative approaches to demonstrate the power of broadband to enhance outcomes for learners, and promote growth in broadband-based training as the NBN rollout proceeds.
“This Strategy directly supports government targets for participation and access, and higher workforce skill levels,” said FLAG Chair Raymond Garrand, Chief Executive of the South Australian Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology.
“Used strategically, the new technological environment will provide unprecedented access to more accessible training and learning opportunities,” said Mr Garrand.
