How ACC brought the world’s most advanced factories to the classroom with TAP

Background

Traditional semiconductor technician training methods fail to provide students with hands-on experience.

The demand for skilled technicians in semiconductor has skyrocketed with the expansion of manufacturing sites across the nation. This has created a pressing need for institutions like ACC to produce job-ready graduates.

Traditional approaches to technician training left a serious gap – students do not get hands-on experience in a semiconductor factory environment; it just isn’t feasible considering the cost and danger associated with machines in the factory. Unfortunately this means students were entering the workforce less familiar with the equipment they’ll be working on.

Recognizing this challenge, ACC teamed up with TAP, an educational technology solutions provider, to explore VR as a means of enhancing their technician training programs.

Objectives

Improve learning with immersive semiconductor experiences, explore technician careers, and simulate safe hazardous scenarios.

• Enhanced Learning Experience
  
  To provide students with a more immersive and engaging learning experience, enabling them to apply technical skills in a semiconductor environment.
• Career Exploration
  
  To give students a vision of what life would be like as a technician in an advanced manufacturing environment.
• Safety
  
  To simulate potentially hazardous scenarios in a safe virtual environment, allowing students to develop safe work habits and responses.

Implementation

TAP's VR modules, integrated into ACC's CPT and STARS programs, enhance hands-on experiences for students and up-skill industry employees in troubleshooting complex systems.

TAP previously developed VR modules that replicated real-world technician tasks and scenarios with industry. TAP worked with ACC closely to integrate these modules into their CPT program, which is designed as a gateway course to expand the number of people entering manufacturing. Some activities include exposure to conducting a leak check in a semiconductor factory. This type of lab is something that’s not possible without the TAP VR platform.

TAP’s model involves intensive training so that ACC instructors can teach TAP’s modules. The VR training was seamlessly integrated into ACC's existing curriculum. Students were provided with VR headsets and access to a dedicated VR lab equipped with the necessary hardware and software.

The rollout has been successful and ACC is now in the process of implementing TAP to power a new learning track, called the STARS program. This program is designed to help upskill existing employees in industry to more skilled and lucrative technician jobs. In this learning track, students will use TAP to learn how to troubleshoot complex systems that rely on advanced electrical, pneumatic, vacuum, sensor, and mechanical technology.

Benefits

VR training at ACC benefited students by providing immersive learning, boosting confidence and competence, and enhancing safety through virtual practice.

• Immersive Learning
  
  VR training allowed students to immerse themselves in lifelike scenarios, providing a deeper understanding of complex technical tasks.
• Improved Student Outcomes
  
  Students who underwent VR training demonstrated higher levels of confidence and competence in their field.
• Enhanced Safety
  
  Students could practice safety protocols in a controlled virtual environment, reducing the risks associated with traditional hands-on training.