
ACT Partners with Virtus Tech to Create Real-world Scenarios for Young Learners
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


The Herald Scotland
4 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Bus firm owned by former Rangers directors doubles profits
We revealed this week that McGill's, the 'largest independent bus firm in the UK', posted that the earnings rise was partly down to acquisitions. James and Sandy Easdale. (Image: Jeff Holmes/JSHPIX) The Greenock-based firm owned by billionaire brothers Sandy and James Easdale put forward results covering a 'wide and diverse portfolio'. The firm said: 'McGill's Bus Group is Britain's largest independently owned bus company and a pioneer in fleet decarbonisation, with over 110 zero emission electric buses.' Read the full exclusive story here ANALYSIS 📈 Why the case for a 'Scottish visa' just got stronger Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is sticking to his red lines on Brexit. (Image: PA) At times like these the dogmatic nature of politics must really frustrate people in business. While Sir Keir Starmer sticks to his Government's red lines on Europe – meaning there will be no return to the single market, no re-joining the customs union and no freedom of movement under his watch – the UK's economic prospects will continue to be constrained. This includes in Scotland, which of course voted resoundingly to remain in the European Union in the referendum of 2016, and has been living with the consequences since. But how long can the current state of affairs continue? Starmer has so far resisted calls from the Scottish Government to introduce a "Scottish visa" to help the country deal with the labour shortages it faces, but the issue is simply not going away. Read Scott Wright's analysis here SERIES: THE BARRAS REBORN 🍽️ How The Barras stealthily became Glasgow's most exciting foodie destination The Barras has slowly but surely evolved into one of the city's most exciting foodie destinations. (Image: Newsquest) Whelks, mussels and white sugar-coated doughnuts might well be what first come to mind when you picture food from The Barras Market in Glasgow. None of the above is wrong, with the Loch Fyne Shellfish Bar on London Road celebrating 65 years in business and Danny's Donuts still firing up their fryers every weekend. But elsewhere, thanks to a team who have invested time and effort into curating a line-up of street food vendors unlike any other, The Barras has slowly but surely evolved into one of the city's most exciting foodie destinations. As part of our Barras Reborn series, The Herald sat down with market manager Chris Butler to discuss the influx of independent culinary talent now based in the East End and how this contributes to the shifting identity of a 104-year-old cultural landmark. Read Sarah Campbell's article here AROUND THE GREENS ⛳ Coming soon to a club near you: Golf vending machines A mock-up of what the proposed vending machines might look like (Image: Newsquest) This article appears as part of Kristy Dorsey's Around the Greens series Officials at discount retailer Affordable Golf are sizing up plans to roll out vending machines at clubs across Scotland selling items such as balls and gloves to players who might otherwise be caught short.


Powys County Times
6 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Powys student's Aries sculpture made from farm machinery
A SCULPTURE of a ram's head – made from steel rods, recycled from old farm machinery by a young Powys arts student – has been unveiled to mark the 180th anniversary of the Royal Agricultural University (RAU). Seventeen-year-old Harlan Beales, who is currently studying for an extended diploma in art, design and creative practice at Hereford College of Arts, designed the sculpture, which has been named 'Aries', in tandem with former RAU student Will Carr, before fabricating it by himself. Aries was recently unveiled by RAU vice chancellor, professor Peter McCaffery, at a special lunch held at the Cirencester-based University which was founded in 1845 as the first agricultural college in the English-speaking world. Harlan, from Hay-on-Wye, said: 'It has been amazing for me to have been involved with this. 'I've made smaller pieces before but this is the first large scale sculpture I've made. 'I'm excited that it will be at the RAU forever. My aunt lives in Cirencester so I can visit the sculpture whenever I come to see her.' He added: 'Will and I worked together on the design; he was able to make 3D projections and I made two paper models to get the scale right. 'I used Will's workshop, getting guidance from Will and his fabricator at key points during the build. 'It is made from 6mm steel rods which Will had on his farm. Our initial plan was to make it using old bits of farm machinery and plough parts, but it looked so beautiful when we'd just welded the rods that we decided to leave it as it was.' Will, who previously studied civil and environmental engineering at Nottingham University, joined the RAU in 2015 to study agriculture, before taking on his family's 200-hectare mixed, arable and beef farm in the village of Weobley, near Hereford. Alongside running the farm, Will has made a successful sculpture business, employing two people, and has sold sculptures across the world, including to the United States and Australia, and public sculptures across the UK. In 2015 he made a barley ears sculpture for the RAU's 170th anniversary which now stands overlooking the university's Bathurst Lawn. He said: 'I felt very honoured to be asked to make another piece for the RAU and it was great to be able to work alongside Harlan; we worked really well as a team. 'The joined metal bars of Aries symbolise the interconnected mesh of human brains coming together, very (much) like at this university, where information is shared making a joint neural network.' RAU vice-chancellor Mr McCaffery said: 'As we celebrate our 180th anniversary we ae immensely proud of the contribution our 17,000+ alumni have made as leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators to agriculture and the land-based sector. 'The Aries sculpture is a fitting tribute to the creativity, ingenuity and commitment to sustainability that characterises our students today.' Originally established in 1845 as the Royal Agricultural College, the first agricultural college in the English-speaking world and with just 25 students, the RAU gained university status in 2013. The university now has around 1,100 students at its Cirencester campus as well as more than 3,000 studying worldwide with its many international partners.


The Herald Scotland
9 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Age verification UK explained: How is it impacting the UK?
This means that age verification tools are now being used on sites where they could access harmful content. Here's all you need to know about the new rules and how they are being implemented. Well done to everyone who campaigned to ensure age verification for pornography was in the Online Safety Act! Today it comes into force and while no doubt there will be some who get around it, it means young kids in particular won't be stumbling on violent and harmful porn. — Jess Asato MP (@Jess4Lowestoft) July 25, 2025 What is the Online Safety Act? The Online Safety Act is a piece of legislation that received Royal Assent on October 26, 2023, with the aim of protecting children and adults online. The Government website adds: "It puts a range of new duties on social media companies and search services, giving them legal duties to protect their users from illegal content and content harmful to children. "The Act gives providers new duties to implement systems and processes to reduce risks their services are used for illegal activity, and to take down illegal content when it does appear. Why is age verification being used on the internet? As of July 25, internet platforms have a legal duty to protect children from harmful content. Companies within the scope of the act must introduce safety measures as part of this, which include age verification. The Guardian reports: "This means all pornography sites must have in place rigorous age-checking procedures." They continued: "Social media platforms and large search engines must also prevent children from accessing pornography and material that promotes or encourages suicide, self-harm and eating disorders." Platforms will also have to suppress other material that could be potentially harmful to children. This could include "the promotion of dangerous stunts, encouraging the use of harmful substances and enabling bullying". How is age verification utilised by platforms? Ofcom, the media regulator, has set out a number of ways websites can verify the age of users. This can be done through credit card checks, photo ID matching and estimating age using a selfie. Whatever format platforms choose, they must be "technically accurate, robust, reliable and fair," BBC News reports. Which sites will require age verification? Pornhub and a number of other major adult websites have confirmed they will introduce enhanced age checks, BBC News reports. Recommended reading: Reddit has already introduced checks to stop people aged under 18 from looking at "certain mature content", while X and Grindr have committed to this as well. Discord gives UK users a choice of face or ID scanning as a way to verify their age, after testing methods, and Bluesky says it will give UK users a range of different verification options, external. BBC News adds: "Many more services which allow sexually explicit material may need to bring in measures to comply with the new rules."