A new virtual reality training program for COVID-19 laboratories has been introduced in the hope of meeting a massive skills shortage.
Innovator in educational technology CREDERSI has partnered with COVID-19 DAM Health Test Solutions Specialist to create the world’s first COVID-19 virtual reality (VR) lab training program. The collaboration will allow the construction of a virtual and augmented reality (RA) platform in which aspiring laboratory technicians will be trained.
Eight-week training program
The first course, which will be launched in October 2021, will be an eight-week immersive program focused on science, data science and analytical data programming. Students will be trained to extrapolate the results of their work and laboratory experiments will be incorporated into the course curriculum. The training can be accessed from anywhere where the student is studying and located in the world.
The new course will use a physical PCR machine, which will then be used to model and represent in a 3D virtual lab. This will allow lab technicians and students to watch an animated sequence of how to perform a PCR test and use it as part of a broader training curriculum to educate students with an immersive and interactive training module. .
Inspiring the scientists of the future
In addition to training laboratory technicians, the 3D virtual lab will also be brought to schools and institutes as part of a broader program to educate and inspire children and youth to take an interest in STEM subjects. It will show them how a science career can look and feel.
Address the lack of skills
Andy Lord, CEO and co-founder of CREDERSI, said: “This is a really exciting project to train with DAM Health and we are incredibly grateful for your support and sponsorship. The addition of 3D modeling to develop a course that has elements focused exclusively on COVID-19 and PCR is a real game changer.
“There is a huge shortage of qualified laboratory technicians at the moment and we aim to solve this imbalance by injecting a new army of talented and trained laboratory technicians. The demand for laboratory technicians exceeds the supply of the market. The COVID-19 tests will accompany us in the foreseeable future. Understanding and learning about PCR testing and how it will work will allow future laboratory technicians to be better equipped to deal with future viral epidemics and pandemics.
“The prime minister could also take on the current VAT charged on the COVID-19 tests and reinvest it in grants to train the next generation of laboratory technology students.”
Darren Coomer, co-founder of CREDERSI, said: “It has been my passion to bring science to schools and colleges and inspire the next generation of bright minds. COVID-19 has been such an important part of life for the last 18 months. This course will teach and train laboratory technicians on how to process PCR tests in the laboratory using the most advanced technology. But, even more amazing, when we are dedicated to schools and institutes, we can show young children what a science career is like and how it feels.
“The high cost of PCR testing is often due to a lack of qualified resources, so we hope that our partnership with DAM Health will help support the UK economy and the travel industry by reducing the cost. unit of testing over time “.
Liam Spence, head of collaborations at DAM Health, said: “We are thrilled to have teamed up with Andy Lord, Darren Coomer and CREDERSI to help inspire and recruit the next generation of lab scientists and technicians. Creating a virtual world in which lab technicians can be trained to understand the PCR testing process makes this a truly immersive experience without the need to physically enter a lab.
“Most importantly for DAM Health, as a leading provider of COVID testing services, our social and corporate responsibility programs are very important to us. Our sponsorship of the CREDERSI virtual world lab will not only help recruit and train future lab technicians, but will also inspire students to learn more about science and technology as an exciting career, this is a key part of our vision. ” .
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