REGINA — Virtual reality (VR) simulators are providing a snapshot of potential future careers for Regina residents.
Regina-based Melcher Studios has developed 24 simulators since 2013 for careers in fire extinguisher training, cooking, HVAC and more.
“This is something where you could put them in an unsafe situation, but there actually is no safety risk,” said Melcher Studios president Dwayne Melcher.
Melcher Studios works with a handful of organizations, including Regina’s Work Preparation Centre.
“The people who come in could be someone who's looking for a different career path, a different career path change, someone who's new to Canada, and they just want to try these different types of simulations to understand what a day in the life could be like, what they could be doing, how it could work,” said Melcher.
Melcher said VR can help people feel more at ease and confident when selecting a career path.
“[This] is really meant to augment what you're currently doing or help people sort of understand what their path is forward.”
The studio is also collaborating with Saskatchewan Polytechnic on a new nurse simulation.
Overall, Melcher estimates upward of 15,000 people use their simulations each year.
Melcher said that 50 to 70 per cent of those who use the VR experience go on to pursue that specific career path.
A specific simulator can take anywhere from three to eight months, depending on its size.
“Some that are a little more technical-based might be longer, some that are a little more simplified or linear might take a little bit, be a little bit more straightforward.”
The studio uses funding from subscriptions to start working on new simulators.
“Every year, we'll continue to build more simulations by continuing to invest any of the subscription funds back into building.”
Besides nursing, three simulations are in the works, including heavy mechanic and heavy equipment operator.
Melcher said the possibilities are endless for future simulators.
