VR4VET
Virtual Reality for Vocational Education and Training
About the project
Digitalization of vocational education and training and career guidance received major attention in the research literature long before COVID-19. The pandemic emphasized the need for digitalization but also contributed to rising youth unemployment. Currently, 3.1 million young individuals in Europe aged 15-24 struggle to secure employment. Furthermore, 9.6 million individuals aged 15-29 are not engaged in education, employment, or training, often hindered by low self-esteem, motivation, and proficiency in essential skills necessary for school and daily life. Simultaneously, those youths already enrolled in education and training frequently lack adequate information about potential career paths. Innovative solutions are imperative to integrate these marginalized groups into the workforce or training programs. Research in digital career guidance underscores the importance of online communication, video platforms, chat services, and other digital tools. While immersive technologies have been used in vocational education and training across various contexts, their potential in career guidance remains largely unexplored.
The Virtual Reality for Vocational Education and Training - VR4VET project proposes a new approach to vocational education and career guidance by applying Virtual Reality (VR) technology. This enables active and engaging exploration of professions and introductory training, offering young job seekers a more realistic understanding of various career paths and a vital learning experience essential for decision-making skills, also applying to young individuals facing mental health and other employability challenges, supported by empirical studies. Furthermore, the project enhances the competence and counseling techniques of vocational education trainers and career advisors, thereby augmenting their digital skills. This initiative aligns with the objectives of the EU Youth Guarantee and the Bridge to Jobs initiative. For further details, please visit the project website: https://www.vr4vet.eu/.
The VR4VET project consortium includes the following partner organizations:
- NTNU with the IMTEL lab (coordinator)
- TH Koln
- TU Delft
- NAV Trøndelag
- Trøndelag fylkeskommune
- Bildungszentren des Baugewerbes e.V.
- Techniek College Rotterdam
The VR4VET project builds on the experience and collaboration of the NTNU IMTEL lab and NAV Trøndelag in the Virtual Internship project.
VR4VET approach
In VR4VET, we apply open-source software development methodology to the production of our Virtual Reality modules and the underlying development infrastructure. It is easy to join our team! The source code of the project is open on GitHub: https://github.com/vr4vet/.
VR4VET apps
The project focuses on the production of innovative results that include a design methodology, scenarios and design for VR profession modules, the VR apps that implement these scenarios, a technical infrastructure for streamlining and partially automating the development of these apps, and a continuing education course on VR for trainers to boost their digital competence and allow for a smooth integration of the VR apps to the practice.
The VR applications are being designed for three professions in the industries selected in the project, following the design methodology and implementing the specific scenarios. These VR applications are intended to be integrated into the career guidance and vocational education practice as supplementary materials for the end users. The applications will be openly distributed and compatible with modern and accessible VR devices.
VR4VET Blue Sector
The VR4VET Blue Sector VR app simulates a large area of a fjord with several fish cages, a feeding station, a fish health and welfare station, and a fish processing facility (under construction). The users can experience situations representing typical workplaces in the aquaculture and fish processing industries, such as feeding salmon in multiple cages, inspecting fish for injuries and diseases, and sorting, cutting, and packaging fish in a factory. More about VR4VET Blue Sector app: https://www.ntnu.edu/imtel/vr4vet-blue-sector/.
The app is coming to Oculus App Lab.
VR4VET Construction
The VR4VET Construction VR app simulates a training ground typical for the construction industry. The users can experience a training scenario of building a house by going through several stages and tasks from building a wooden frame to placing tiles on a roof.
The app is coming to Oculus App Lab.
VR4VET Cloud engineering
The VR4VET Cloud Engineering VR app simulates a data center, where the user takes the role of an intern and encounters various tasks and challenges that simulate real-world scenarios. The app guides the user through these tasks and provides instructions and resources to complete them successfully.
The app is coming to Oculus App Lab.
Funding
Grant EUR 399 410
Project period: January 2022 - December 2024