Virtual Reality Simulator Developed Welding Technology Skills

Faizal Amin Nur Yunus, Jamil Abd Baser, Saiful Hadi Masran, Nizamuddin Razali, Bekri Rahim
(University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, Batu Pahat, Malaysia)

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to identify the suitability of VR welding simulator application towards CBT in developing welding skills upon new trainees at the Centre of Instructor and Advanced Skills Training (CIAST) Shah Alam Selangor and National Youth Skills Institute (IKBN) Pagoh Johor. The significant of the study was to create a computer-based skills development approach in welding technology among new trainees in CIAST and IKBN as well as to cultivate the elements of general skills among them. This study is also important in elevating the number of individual knowledge workers (K-workers) working in manufacturing industry in order to achieve a national vision which is to be an industrial nation in the year of 2020. The design of the study was a survey type of research which using questionnaires as the instruments and some 136 trainees from CIAST and IKBN were interviewed. Descriptive analysis was used to identify the frequency and mean. The findings of the study shows that the welding technology skills has developed in the trainees as a result of the application of VR simulator at a high level (min=3.89) and the respondents agreed that the skills could be embedded through the application of the VR simulator (78.01%). In summary, this VR simulator is suitable in welding skills development training in terms of exposing new trainees with the relevant characteristics of welding skills and at the same time spurring the trainees’ interest towards learning more about the skills.

Key words: virtual reality learning; virtual reality simulator; computer based training (CBT); virtual reality (VR)