13 welding simulators to be funded for use by agricultural students
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13 welding simulators will be funded for use by students completing agricultural training courses.
A total of €430,000 will be invested in the simulators by the Department of Agriculture.
Using a virtual reality welding simulator to introduce students to welding provides a safe and controlled learning environment that eliminates the hazards associated with actual welding.
Making the announcement of funding, Minister of State Martin Heydon said that welding is an “important skill and it has many useful applications on the farm and across a range of sectors, including equipment repair, fabrication, construction, and maintenance”.
“These simulators will provide students with a safe environment in which to learn different welding techniques before training with actual welders.
“They also provide more experienced students with the opportunity to extend their range of welding skills.
“These investments help ensure students passing through our agricultural colleges obtain a broad and useful skillset in a safe environment that will benefit them throughout their future careers.”
Frank O’Mara, Teagasc director, said that welding training offers “numerous benefits to students, both in terms of their educational experience and their future careers in the agricultural industry”.
Anne Marie Butler, Teagasc head of education, added that the procurement of these virtual welding sets “greatly enhances delivery of safety-based practical skills training”.
The 13 welding simulators will be procured by Teagasc for use in agricultural colleges by full-time and part-time students.
A demo model of the new simulators has been on display at the Teagasc stand at the National Ploughing Championships.
