Electrical virtual reality programme

Project

Electrical virtual reality programme

Benefits

The electrical VR programme is designed to streamline and enhance the upskilling process for electrical craft personnel. By leveraging VR technology, the programme offers a safe, efficient, and effective learning environment.

This innovative approach is expected to significantly improve the quality and speed of training, ensuring better-prepared personnel for the electrical isolations and nomination processes.

Current Status

The electrical VR programme is due to go live in July 2024, with more than 300 electrical personnel able to benefit from the work.

Delivery Partners

HU Media, V360ENERGY

Contact Details

David Eldon

innovation.team@sellafieldsites.com

The electrical Virtual Reality (VR) programme, set to go live on 8th July 2024, aims to utilise VR to enhance staff training. This initiative will be attended by all electrical craft personnel. VR allows us to enhance training by providing a secure environment for staff to practise electrical isolations, allowing users to learn and make mistakes without the risk of physical harm. Additionally, VR training has shown higher retention rates compared to traditional training methods, enhancing the overall learning experience.

The electrical VR programme can also shorten the time required for personnel to gain the necessary experience for nominations. Instead of relying on an area’s Senior Authorised Person (SAP) or Authorised Person (AP) to provide sporadic training sessions, which can be disrupted by ongoing plant issues or the unavailability of the plant, trainees can spend a full day in a virtual environment with an experienced SAP/AP.

This ensures that the training is focused and uninterrupted, providing comprehensive learning without the typical distractions or limitations of a live plant setting.

David Eldon heads the Emerging Technologies team and said: “The use of VR has been ad hoc to date. We’re creating a sustainable model for the future. This team, and in particular Dan Haughin, have been exploring all necessary avenues to make that happen. We’ve been a demanding and intelligent client, really pushing our supply chain colleagues to think outside the box. It has paid off and soon more than 300 electrical personnel will benefit from the work undertaken.”

During the full day of training the electrical craft personnel will also be shown how to complete Isolation Test Certificates, with the aim of standardising the process across the Sellafield site.