First Immersive Skills Lab in Tasmania
Tasmanian learners, business, and industry are set to benefit from the state’s first Immersive Skills Lab, launched today at the TasTAFE Alanvale Campus.
An Immersive Skills Lab combines virtual, augmented, and mixed reality technologies and experiences to deliver training in a risk-free environment where people can learn skills virtually before entering an active work site.
Through the Industry Partnerships Program, the Tasmanian Government provided funding of $250,000 to Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone (BBAMZ) to setup this Lab in partnership with TasTAFE.
Minister for Skills and Training, Felix Ellis, said the launch of the Immersive Skills Lab is another huge step in enhancing Tasmania’s vocational training.
“The ability to simulate the most high-stakes situations means that our learners can become job-ready faster, more confidently, and with broader practical experiences than what may be possible with traditional training methods,” Minister Ellis said.
“We know that by investing in our people and putting the learner at the centre, we see fantastic results across our VET sector.
“Through our Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we’ll continue to invest in innovative technologies such as the Immersive Skills Lab to ensure our next generation of workers have the skills they need to succeed.
“I congratulate BBAMZ and partners for leading the way in meeting this challenge and for taking a leap in supporting a new way of training.”
CEO of Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone (BBAMZ), Susie Bower, said innovative approaches such as the Immersive Skills Lab will allow a broader range of learners to develop their skills in a safe, secure setting.
“Most of our young learners have grown up with technology and use it every day, so utilising the Immersive Skills Lab is allowing them to learn with the tools they’re used to.
“By putting the learner at the centre, in an environment they know and love, we will see our future generations thrive in our industries.”