TRS is thrilled to announce that its ambitious new training delivery strategy is now underway thanks to capital funding provided by the Department for Education’s Local Skills Improvement Fund (LSIF), managed regionally by The Association of Liverpool City Region Colleges. This exciting development will see us integrate cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) and extended reality (XR) technologies into our training programmes, supporting logistics apprenticeships, Skills Bootcamps, and other courses.

Future of training

The project funding allows TRS to create virtual reality training materials using state-of-the-art cameras and video processing software. These innovative resources will provide learners with an immersive experience that replicates environments such as automated warehouses and transport hubs without the need for travel or the risks and challenges associated with on-site learning.

Beverley Ellis, Operations Director at TRS, expressed her enthusiasm about the project, stating,

“We are incredibly grateful for this funding, which enables TRS to forge ahead in the digitalisation of training for logistics. Virtual reality opens up new possibilities for learners, particularly improving accessibility, enhancing skills, and widening participation. This is a significant step towards delivering innovative, high-quality training that meets the evolving needs of both learners and employers.”

Why virtual reality for logistics

The logistics sector has historically faced significant challenges when it comes to delivering on-site training due to cost, safety, and accessibility. Virtual reality training offers solutions to these issues and advantages that align with the future of training delivery, such as:

• Enhanced accessibility: Learners can interact with complex environments such as automated warehouses remotely, reducing travel costs and improving access for people with disabilities.
• Improved health and safety: By training in a controlled, virtual environment, learners avoid potential onsite risks.
• Environmental benefits: Minimising the need for learners and trainers to travel can significantly lower carbon emissions.
• Viewing automation in action: VR enables learners to observe cutting-edge automation and robotics technologies that would otherwise be beyond their reach.

These innovations also represent a turning point for curriculum content in logistics and manufacturing. Virtual reality enables us to demonstrate emerging career pathways in green technologies, sustainability, and analytics while setting realistic, simulated workplace projects that develop problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Key aims and benefits

Our new virtual training project aims to deliver ambitious outcomes that align closely with the Liverpool City Region’s Local Skills Improvement Plan priorities, including:

• Developing a digital, immersive curriculum to showcase low-carbon and sustainable career pathways.
• Creating content that highlights cutting-edge technologies like automation and robotics.
• Enabling virtual explorations and work experiences to broaden access to key industry environments.
• Producing a Level 3 Skills Bootcamp curriculum in Ecommerce and Automation.

With the new funding, TRS is establishing two portable VR production studios and immersive classrooms with a capacity to train up to 16 learners at a time.

What we’ve achieved so far

With phase one of our virtual training project now complete, here’s what’s been accomplished, setting the stage for the exciting work ahead.

• VR equipment installed: Our XR studio is now equipped with 360-degree cameras, VR headsets, immersive classroom spaces for up to 16 learners, and advanced processing hardware for creating digital training content.
• First content underway: Storyboarding for our initial VR learning modules has begun. These experiences will take learners through virtual warehouse tours, e-commerce automation, and sustainability practices.
• Portable training solutions: Thanks to portable VR equipment, we can now bring immersive training directly to our employer partners or remote learners.

Transforming training

This investment and introduction of VR technology strongly support TRS’s commitment to innovative and sustainable training solutions. Beyond offering learners new virtual ways of experiencing and practicing skills in working environments, this project will enable TRS to partner with organisations across the Liverpool City Region & beyond to shape a more sustainable, accessible learning experience for anyone considering a career in logistics.