Stewart MacDonald Specialist Noeneel Sharma led development of Energy Queensland’s VR training tool

Ergon Energy Network and Energex trainees are being introduced to VR simulations that complement the real-world experiences being provided by Energy Queensland’s Technical Training & Apprentices (TT&A) team.

TT&A has teamed up with Digital Division to develop the training simulators that provide trainees with a safe training environment.

Energy Queensland technical training business manager Stewart MacDonald and digital enablement specialist Noeneel Sharma, who developed the VR training simulator are about to deploy their next: Electrical Installation Fault Finding and Compliance Testing.

“The new Electrical Installation Fault Finding and Compliance Testing VR Training simulator takes realism to a whole new level while still maintaining a completely safe environment for trainees,” Stewart explains.

“You really feel like you are working on the side of a real house in suburbia.”

The two initially developed the simulators to connect with younger audiences but have found that even more experienced field staff are embracing the new technology.

“What’s really exciting is seeing some of our more experienced staff have a go and then forget they are in a virtual environment,” Stewart adds

“They stand there fully immersed in the VR environment, provided by the training simulator, and begin behaving as if they are really working on a real piece of equipment.

“What’s exciting is that the more experienced staff are making suggestions about where this technology could next be applied.”

Noeneel says the benefits of using VR goes well beyond the novelty factor, especially since VR is becoming more widely accessible.

“It’s also really accessible – all you need is a headset, and you can be located anywhere in Queensland and receive consistent, high-level information and a safe environment to practice high risk tasks,” he says.