NORCAT wins VR Education and Training crown at 2021 VR Awards

Sudbury, ON. - NORCAT, a global leader in the development and provision of skilled labour training and development services, is honoured and proud to announce its Vale VR training tool has been named the winner in the VR Education and Training category at the 2021 VR Awards.

NORCAT’s Vale VR training tool was one of 12 projects to receive awards at the fifth annual VR Awards, held virtually on November 18th, 2021. The VR Awards ceremony, organized by the Academy of International Extended Reality (AIXR), celebrates and recognizes excellence in virtual reality across a multitude of sectors around the globe.

Recognizing that VR is one of the fastest-growing segments of the learning technology industry, NORCAT partnered with Vale, one of the world’s largest mining companies, to create interactive and experiential technology training tools that allow for new methods of delivering equipment operator training for enhanced safety, efficiency and productivity for mine training operations. These tools include virtual reality pre-operational circle check training tools and exercises for mine equipment, including forklifts and utility vehicles.

"We are truly honoured to be named the winner of the VR Education and Training category at the 2021 VR Awards," says Ed Wisniewski, NORCAT’s Chief Technology Officer. "The Vale VR experience is just one example of the virtual learning technologies NORCAT is developing to provide meaningful learning experiences that are re-defining the future of training and development. This award is a huge recognition of NORCAT’s work to engage, educate and strengthen the global skilled labour workforce to ensure workers have the skills, competencies and confidence to do their job both safely and productively."

Michele Gilbert, Manager, Learning & Development (L&D), North Atlantic, Vale stated that, "Through our strategic partnership with NORCAT, the Vale VR training tool is bringing new and interactive virtual reality best practices and educational processes to fruition. This virtual reality educational tool allows Vale miners to strengthen their skills in performing work safely and productively. Congratulations to our partner NORCAT in receiving this international award-winning recognition."

"By continuing to develop state of the art technologies for a "new world of training" for the "new world of work," NORCAT remains at the forefront of innovation as a market leader in skilled labour training and development," says Don Duval, NORCAT CEO. "I look forward to continuing to leverage the immense talent of our team and our impressive history of catalyzing innovation to take NORCAT to the next level of excellence in developing and deploying immersive learning technology."

The 2021 VR Awards can be viewed here.

Media Contacts:
Lindsay Moorhouse | NORCAT | [email protected] | 705.521.8324 x337
Shannon Katary | Vale | [email protected] | 705-280-0448

About Vale

Vale is one of the world’s largest mining companies, present across five continents. Vale is also the world’s largest producer of nickel, with our Base Metals business headquartered in Toronto. Operating in Canada for more than 100 years, our Canadian operations produce nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals, gold and silver. Vale’s operations in Sudbury are home to one of the largest integrated mining complexes in the world with five mines, a mill, a smelter and a nickel refinery. For more information, please visit: www.vale.com.

Original Article on NORCAT