Photo: For Construction Pros
Collaboration By using up-to-date technology like virtual reality, people from all over the world will be able to easily and effectively collaborate on projects. No more faxing or bad photocopies of designs. Everything can be accessed instantaneously using virtual reality. It allows everyone who needs to work on the designs to do so from anywhere in the world, view all other aspects of the project in a realistic environment and in turn lead a high performing team. Virtual reality can not only be used to view the end project, but can also be utilised to create virtual conference rooms and meetings for you and your team. This can help save time and money on labour costs, travel expenses and different resourcing costs to design the project. Virtual reality can not only help collaboration within your team, but also with external Stakeholders and parties interested in the project.
Enhanced training programmes When starting any new job or college course, you are forced to sit through a number of onboard demonstrations and dull powerpoint presentations. With the use of virtual reality, training programmes in the construction industry can be enhanced and made more engaging and effective.
Photo: rumii
By putting students in a realistic environment using virtual reality, they can really see how things work, identify real-life safety risks and learn practical skills before entering the world of construction.
Increased demand for skills With the current shortage of skills in the construction industry amongst millennials, using new technology like virtual reality and construction software can really spark an interest in working in the industry. Today’s young people have grown up with technology and are painted a poor image of the construction industry. In fact, the construction industry has a diverse range of jobs and skills such as architecture, project management, carpentry and many more trades that can be extremely profitable. These are all the specialist skills that are currently in demand. With the pairing of new, innovative technology, such as virtual reality, youngsters may take another look into a career in the construction industry, bridging the gap in the current skills shortage. 178 82
THE EUROPEAN WOMEN IN CONSTRUCTION & ENGINEERING AWARDS >> MAY 2019