ACT-UK

Coventry’s £8.7 million ACT-UK Simulation Centre is the UK’s first virtual reality training facility for the construction industry – and only the second of its kind in the world.

The next generation of engineers and builders are now honing their leadership skills at the centre, which is backed by the UK construction industry and which puts Coventry and the West Midlands at the lead of advanced construction training nationally.

The facility, which is based at Coventry University Techno Park, includes a pioneering form of simulation training using highly-skilled actors and a virtual reality auditorium comprising a 12-metre, panoramic screen. A 4-D simulation projection enables trainees to navigate through every aspect of a building project recorded from real life.

Sir John Egan, chairman of the late 90s construction task force described the immediate capability of the centre as fantastic while heralding its future potential as absolutely huge.

Advantage West Midlands contributed £6.6 million towards the simulation centre, which also levered in a further £2.1m some of this from the private sector, and brought the partnership together to make the centre a reality.

www.act-uk.co.uk