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way or for anything that can't otherwise be replicated safely, it's a perfect platform." The system is now in a pilot phase that will run through to December, with the official launch planned for January, and the company hopes to release at least ten modules over the next year. The first, due to be show- cased at various events from October, seeks to improve employees' driving, testing them on the full process from a vehicle inspection through to tricky situations like navigating backroads, where they will be asked to identify the hazards. "We're very close to getting the driving experience approved Users are given physical training in response to their VR performance by RoSPA [the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents]," Havvas says. "As a business, we'd like to put everyone on a safe driving course, but in the real world it would cost upwards of £1 million. Using the VR plat- form, we can bring that cost down by about 80 per cent, which changes it from unattain- able to attainable." A module in which the user must use the correct tools and methods to locate a leak is also in the works. "If we had to train 20 people in how to use a [leak-noise] cor- relator, it would take us proba- bly two or three days," he says. "Using the VR platform with the scoring mechanism, we could INSIGHT VR TRAINING high-voltage line or a gas main just so we can experience that in a 360°, immersive scenario – it's the high-impact stuff that peo- ple remember." Knowledge retention is one of the most significant perks of the VR system. The Research Institute of America found that while traditional, face-to-face training had retention rates around 9 or 10 per cent, the use of e-learning – or electronic educational technology – brought rates to between 25 per cent and 60 per cent. While studies so far have been incon- clusive, there have been indica- tions that immersive VR experi- ences may offer the best retention rates of all. Havvas says one of the pri- mary reasons Anglian opted to work with Edg-VR, part of school workshop provider Education Group, was its background. The company delivers VR workshop modules to schools in America, Australia and the UK, giving children the chance to learn about dinosaurs or planets, for example, by allowing them to visit a virtual 'Jurassic Park' or take off in a spaceship. "What we were looking for was a company that already worked in the education sector," he says. "Kids are already learn- ing in that way, using that tech- nology, and Edg-VR has got a proven track record of deliver- ing workshops and VR to kids. They have a robust model, and it was very important for us to utilise that." Another key advantage of the Edg-VR system is its portability – it can be packed into cases and requires no internet connection. "We, as an organisation, cover a large geographic area, and it was important to be able to take this equipment to staff on the ground," he says. NEED TO KNOW • Portable networked solution • No internet connection required • Up to 35 simultaneous users • Provides live scoring, assessments and analytics THE VERDICT "We looked at our biggest risks, starting with driving, and then we expanded the modules to safe excavations, working at heights, slips, trips and falls, and leakage. We're evolving the programme now. The end goal is to have a VR portal that our partners can use externally as well as internally." Steve Havvas, Anglian Water actually reduce that down to a few hours – we then utilise the physical training on the key scoring areas noted." Other modules include safe excavations, streetworks, work- ing at heights, fire safety, and slips, trips and falls, while 'Ten Steps to Site Safety' takes the user from start to finish on a dig. Users begin by looking around the site and selecting the right PPE and then face various other tasks and questions, from using a CAT and genny to clicking on hazards within the scenario. "At the end of the scenario we've got 'When Digging Goes Wrong'," Havvas says. "We've just filmed a controlled explo- sion to simulate hitting a With the system ready for launch, the next stage is to add further training modules. The current programme has been designed through workshops involving Anglian and its part- ners, with experts who special- ise in the individual topics brought in to help shape the modules. So far, Anglian has worked alongside partners including Balfour Beatty, Barhale, Clancy Docwra, Kier, Morrison Utility Services, Mott MacDonald Bent- ley, Skanska, Stantec and Sweco, and the word is getting out about its potential. "I've had a lot of interest from other industries wanting to get involved and utilise what we've already done," Havvas adds. "We've had gas compa- nies, Boots, Travis Perkins and even Melbourne Water visit recently. "We want to get the key mes- sage out there to everyone, even those in the water industry: We've built this, we've devel- oped it, we are confident in its capabilities, so if you want to utilise it, get in touch and we can collaborate. "We've all got the same goals at the end of the day." Safe digging is one of many subject areas covered by the VR programme wwtonline.co.uk | SEPTEMBER 2018 WET NEWS 23

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