Lethbridge Polytechnic looks to VR to build interest in public safety careers

Lethbridge Polytechnic is always trying new ways to get young people interested in public safety careers.

The newest tool is virtual reality.

The polytechnic has received $450,000 from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

The funding will be used to develop VR experiences for youth interested in public safety careers.

The polytechnic is partnering with VRCore on the project.

The Calgary-based company will chip in more than $100,000 to the project.

“We’re looking to get the people in the door for the training. We want people that might consider a career in policing but may shy away from it because, again, of recent movements (and) media events,” said Dean Kolebaba with the School of Justice Studies.

“We want to show them there’s more to it than that.”

The polytechnic has also been developing VR programs to help with law enforcement training.