Tulsa Welding School Holds Open House To Show Off Virtual Training Labs

The Tulsa Welding School relies on hands-on learning opportunities for its students, and during the pandemic, when one-on-one learning was not an option, leaders said it was challenging.

As a solution, TWS produced a virtual training lab.

The VR program provides hands-on electrical and HVAC training.

Students use headsets to see different scenarios and practice their techniques with controllers whether they are at school or at home.

Every student is given this technology as part of their course materials.

“This is part of every student that comes through in their gear kit, so whenever they get their gear kit, whether it be welding, HVAC, or electrical they are going to get the Oculus so that they can use the simulation software,” Chris Schuler, Director of Training and Student Services with the Tulsa Welding School said.

A big reason they created this program is because of the increase in demand for more workers.

“I meet with employers on a regular basis, talk to them about the shortages they're encountering,” Schuler said. “There's actually companies turning down work because they can't get enough people to fulfill the labor shortage, so they're coming to us to see how we train folks and meet their requirements."

Shalisa Powell serves as the campus president and said although this was a big investment, TWS wants to become a leader in the trade school community.

"We want to be at the leading edge of technology and so we want to make sure that we invest in those new software and that new development that comes out so we've invested money into making sure that our students have virtual reality. It's really cool,” Powell said.