The New Zealand construction industry is embracing digital innovation through a partnership between Site Safe and the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), which uses virtual reality (VR) for health and safety training.
The Site Safe Foundation Passport VR course, developed with SkillsVR, offers an immersive learning experience, and is significantly enhancing job seekers’ skills and boosting employment rates in the sector.
Job seekers can engage in a simulated construction site environment, encountering virtual hazards and realistic scenarios. This allows them to practise identifying safety risks, selecting appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and following safety procedures in a controlled setting.
This VR training makes construction careers more appealing by providing a safe and engaging way to learn essential safety protocols.
Site Safe chief executive Brett Murray envisions a bright future for the course, and points out that the VR environment allows for knowledge assessment at key learning points throughout the course.
The course is available publicly at Site Safe’s main centres, and is also delivered by the MSD at various sites and employment events nationwide. The programme’s impact is evident, with more than 1500 MSD job seekers completing the training in the past year. Notably, 589 participants, or nearly 40%, have secured employment in the construction sector.
The programme’s success extends beyond numbers, attracting job seekers to diverse construction sub-sectors such as roofing, air conditioning, labouring roles, recruitment agencies, window joinery, and landscaping.
Otago employment and training consultant Christine Crawford shares success stories, including a young man whose confidence soared after achieving a 97% score.
MSD industry partnerships director Amanda Nicolle emphasises the importance of such strategic partnerships in bridging skills gaps and simplifying the hiring process.
For more information, visit www.sitesafe.org.nz.
