ACT Partners with Virtus Tech to Create Real-world Scenarios for Young Learners
ACT, Wales's largest training provider, has announced a new partnership with Cardiff-based Virtus Tech to enhance work-based learning opportunities for young people in its Jobs Growth Wales+ (JGW+) programme.
Virtus Tech, a leader in virtual reality (VR) solutions for training and education, is known for creating immersive, scenario-based environments that simulate real-world situations. These virtual experiences offer learners the opportunity to practice skills, and explore challenges, preparing them for life and work beyond the classroom.
The first scenario developed through this partnership features a purpose-built, in-house salon used daily by JGW+ learners, tutors, and apprentices for practical workshops.
In this virtual experience, learners will conduct a full hair consultation, interacting with a simulated customer to explore different hairstyles and beauty treatments using 3D models, gaining valuable communication and technical skills.
In August 2024, ACT launched its Enrichment Curriculum for Jobs Growth Wales+ learners, which focuses on challenge-based and contextualised learning in areas vital to the wellbeing and development of young people in Wales, including financial competency, health and wellbeing, personal development, and social empowerment.
Each 10-week enrichment project includes four interactive classroom sessions, a guest speaker, and an offsite trip – all tailored around a central theme. Sessions focus on dynamic, learner-led experiences, as opposed to traditional classroom teaching methods.
As part of the curriculum, learners engage with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in multiple formats. For instance, in the current Personal Development project, young people use AI tools to generate customised mock interview questions and receive instant, tailored feedback on their answers. They're also using Bodyswaps, a VR interview simulation platform where learners input their own CVs and job descriptions to receive immediate performance feedback, including on skills such as eye contact and posture.
Sam Holland, Curriculum Development Manager and Digital Learning Specialist at ACT said:
'ACT Training is redefining how vocational and personal development skills are taught. By combining immersive technology with challenge-based learning, we're empowering young people to take control of their futures in a way that's relevant, engaging, and deeply impactful.
'So far, the results speak volumes. The enrichment programme has led to a sizeable increase in attendance among JGW+ learners, with staff reporting significant improvements in structure, motivation, and learner engagement. Many learners are also accessing careers advisory services more regularly as a direct result of their involvement in personal development projects.'
Leon Patnett, Head of Jobs Growth Wales+, said:
'At the core of our JGW+ provision is the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to grow, learn, and feel inspired.
'This enrichment work has been a game changer. It's giving learners the confidence and skills to actively shape their own paths.'
George Bellwood, CEO of Virtus Tech, said:
'Virtus Tech are proud to be partnering with ACT Training, the largest training provider in Wales, to explore how XR solutions can enhance the delivery of work-based learning.
'This collaboration reflects ACT's forward-thinking approach and commitment to innovation, setting a strong example for how emerging technologies can drive impactful skills development across Wales.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
Edge Group Scotland becomes latest accredited Living Hours employer in Scotland
Edge Group Scotland is also proud to be one of only three social care providers in Scotland, and one of just ten across the UK, to hold both Living Wage and Living Hours accreditations. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This distinction places Edge Group Scotland at the forefront of fair work in the social care sector, setting a leading example for how employers can prioritise staff wellbeing through both secure income and secure hours. Living Hours accreditation requires employers to pay the real Living Wage to all their employees over the age of 18 and commit to providing at least four weeks' notice for every shift, with guaranteed payment if shifts are cancelled within this notice period. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Living Hours employers also provide a guaranteed minimum of 16 hours every week (unless the worker requests otherwise), and a contract that accurately reflects hours worked. TeamEdge Celebrate Living Hours Accreditation Based in Musselburgh, Edge Group Scotland is a social care provider supporting autistic young adults and those with additional support needs across the Lothians. This announcement of their commitment to Living Hours further demonstrates the importance they place on setting standards for fair work. David Myers, Director of Operations & Finance, Edge Group Scotland, said: 'Our Living Hours accreditation demonstrates our continued commitment to doing right by our people. Fair pay and secure work are the foundations of a resilient and motivated team—and that's good for our team and the communities we serve.' One support worker with Edge Group Scotland, saidL 'In a previous role, I was on a zero-hours contract and shifts would come and go with no real notice. It made it really hard to plan anything or feel secure in the job. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Since joining Edge, that's completely changed. Having guaranteed hours and proper notice takes a lot of stress off. Knowing where I stand each week makes a big difference—and it shows that Edge genuinely values the people who work here.' Christine McCaig, Projects Coordinator, Living Wage Scotland said: 'There are thousands of Scottish-based employers that are committed to paying at least the real Living Wage, and it's fantastic to see Edge Group Scotland take further steps to protect their workers from low pay and insecure work by becoming Living Hours accredited. "The values that led them to commit to the real Living Wage are the same values that have led to their expanded commitment to fair work at a time when workers need it most.' Research published by the Living Wage Foundation showed that over 9% of workers in Scotland are in insecure work and paid below the Living Wage. This is approximately 250,000 workers. The Living Hours standard was created to ensure that people have predictable working patterns and income, enabling them to better plan their lives.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Healthcare firm Totally collapses but divisions sold
The Derby-based healthcare firm – which lost the NHS 111 support contract in February this year – has appointed Ernst & Young partners Tim Vance and Sam Woodward as joint administrators after failing to secure bids or strategic investors for the entire firm. It said that following the appointment, the sale of its selective care and corporate wellbeing subsidiaries, as well as the urgent care division, was completed to rival PHL Group. 'This transaction sees the continued and uninterrupted provision of all services previously delivered by the group,' Totally said. Totally employed more than 1,400 employees, according to its 2023-2024 annual report. The group added: 'PHL Group will make separate announcements shortly, including communication with the customers, suppliers and employees of the elective care and urgent care divisions, and the corporate wellbeing business, which are all continuing to provide all services as normal following the transaction.' The company's failure comes after a difficult past year, with the firm losing the NHS 111 contract worth £13 million and then revealing last month it was facing a potential medical negligence claim related to an incident in January 2018. At the time, it warned the size of the liability for the claim could be more than the £10 million claim limit on its insurance policy. It launched a strategic review to look at options, including the sale of subsidiaries 'receiving strategic investment or undertaking some other form of comparable corporate action'. Shares in the firm plummeted at the time. On June 6, it announced its intention to appoint administrators after the review had failed to see any 'solvent' offers for parent firm Totally and suspended its shares from trading on London's junior Aim market. PHL – the buyer of its trading divisions – was launched in 2009 and runs services in the UK and overseas, including integrated urgent care, urgent treatment centres, surgical insourcing, custody healthcare, ADHD services and general practice.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Liverpool won't stop after Wirtz and Kerkez deals as FSG deliver for Slot
If there was a maxim that said there were no good football club owners but some are just better than others, it would probably not be too far wrong. Of course, there have been plenty of exceptions down the years - I'm thinking of Jack Walker at Blackburn Rovers, for example - and there are still a few. But let's face it, in these days of de facto state ownership, American venture capitalists and Saudi Arabian investment funds, Premier League owners, in particular, are not a bunch likely to generate unbridled affection. I honestly don't know how much love Liverpool fans have for Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and it is fair to say the Boston-based business group has made a few mis-steps in its 15 years of involvement at Anfield. There were protests that led to a ticket-price freeze earlier this season and back in 2016, FSG had to apologise for trying to introduce a £77 top-priced general admission ticket. But what I do know is that FSG seem to be making a decent fist of ensuring Liverpool's dominance of the 2024-25 season extends into a more sustained period of supremacy. During the weekly chats with Virgil van Dijk during the season, the Liverpool captain never gave much away about, well, anything. But, repeatedly, he mentioned his trust in the owners to act decisively in the summer transfer window, regardless of Liverpool's success in the Premier League. And it is clear that there were not only financial considerations when it came to the renegotiation of Van Dijk's contract, not to mention Mohamed Salah's. The skipper wanted to know he would be leading a squad that was improving. And FSG and Liverpool are delivering. Jeremie Frimpong is done and Milos Kerkez looks like a certainty. There are two very exciting attacking full-backs in one swoop. And then there is the record-breaking move for Florian Wirtz. I will not pretend to have seen enough of Wirtz to make a definitive assessment of his worth. But I know plenty of people who have. And they tell me the 22-year-old has everything it takes to be a truly elite player, in the No.10 position or in any other creative, attacking position. Apparently, his work-rate and appetite for a duel is also beyond question. When it happens - which it will - it will be a statement signing. Discussing the finer details of his outstanding first season at the club, Arne Slot was interesting when speaking about areas in which he felt the squad could be improved. On a specific point, he believed the squad could benefit from more pace and Frimpong and Kerkez will certainly bring that. On a general point, it is clear he regretted not feeling sufficiently empowered to rotate more. Tiredness, he suggested, was one of the factors behind the Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. You get the feeling that even when the Kerkez and Wirtz deals are completed, recruitment will not stop there. If the movement in this first mini transfer window is any guide, Liverpool and Manchester City look like being serious forces in the market this summer. The difference is that such was City's drop in form, Pep Guardiola is actually looking at a rebuild. Slot is merely strengthening - in both numbers and quality - a squad that is already very impressive. At the Anfield trophy-lifting party, FSG chairman Tom Werner saluted Slot's achievements and said: 'We owe it to all of our supporters to bring back a team even better next season.' In this day and age, there may be no good owners - just some better than others - but at least Liverpool's seem true to their word. They are going to be an even more formidable force next season. Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
