STUDENTS at an industry-led construction school in Cinderford can now try their hand at operating full-scale plant machinery from the safety of the classroom, following the installation of brand new virtual reality equipment.

The new AccXel Learning Centre, which launched in Cinderford earlier this year, has recently invested in new “state-of-the-art” VR rigs to give students more opportunities to develop their skills.

The new technology enables students with the centre’s plant operator apprenticeship scheme to familiarise themselves with the tools of their trade in a safe environment before operating the machinery for real on site.

The investment means the Cinderford school is the only centre in the UK that provides the technology to young professionals in training.

AccXel became the UK’s first co-funded, industry-led construction school when it opened on Whimsey Industrial Estate in January.

Founder and Managing Director Nicola Bird, who is the third generation of Cinderford’s £80 million construction company KW Bell Group, established the school to tackle a “skills crisis” within the construction sector.

The centre says close to a quarter of professionals working in the industry are set to retire in the next five to 10 years, and they hope that investment in new technology will help to entice a new generation to pursue careers in trades.

“One of my main reasons for founding AccXel, was to create bespoke training programmes which better suited the industry”, Nicola said.

“My time with KW Bell Group made me realise that traditional apprenticeship schemes don’t offer a comprehensive package of learning and development and wouldn’t be able to support the growth of the industry.”

Nicola says the centre is also working to provide more opportunities for women through apprenticeships, in what is historically a male-dominated sector.

“Being the only woman in the boardroom, I understand the challenges of growing as a professional in a male dominated industry”, she continued.

“Women are vastly underrepresented in construction and currently make up just 11 per cent of the whole industry.

“This is yet another issue we want to work towards solving at AccXel.

“We believe having women represent 15 per cent of our apprentice mix is a strong statement to the industry and we will continue to pioneer and provide equal opportunity to young women across all sector roles.”

The £3 million school has been co-funded by the Government, local enterprise partnership GFirst LEP and the KW Bell Group

The school also secured working partnerships with “industry giants” such as JCB and Leica Geosystems, who have also supplied high spec technology so that recruits can “master their craft” before working on site.

AccXel also recently conducted a simulator workshop at Five Acres High School in Coleford, where pupils had the opportunity to experience the training simulators first hand.