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Members of the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM) visited 3t’s Newcastle training centre recently to learn how the power of digitalisation can help shape the future of the gas distribution industry.

40 business leaders from IGEM’s Yorkshire and North East branches gathered at 3t’s state-of-the-art facility in North Tyneside to see how cutting-edge technologies such as virtual and augmented reality programmes, training management software and gaming-inspired mobile apps, can be used to help gas distribution and transmission become safer, smarter and more efficient.

The UK’s gas distribution and transmission network is undergoing rapid change and facing several challenges. As well as an ageing infrastructure which is increasingly costly to maintain, the industry is gearing up for the transition to greener energies such as hydrogen.

Safety remains a key consideration. Technology such as VR and gaming-inspired apps can help workers absorb and retain safety-critical information more readily – with studies showing as much as 70% improvement.

IGEM members got to try out some of these technologies developed by 3t and also received a tour of 3t’s 20-acre training facility in Newcastle.

Steven Green from Energy & Utility Skills, an organisation that helps energy and utility employers attract, develop, and maintain a sustainable and skilled workforce, said: “This event has been extremely useful and has given us all a chance to discuss opportunities and best practice for the gas distribution and transmission industry as one group. One of the issues facing our sector is an ageing workforce and we desperately need to attract new talent. I see technologies like VR helping to engage younger people and bring them into utilities and energy careers.”

Lynsey Stevenson, Chair of IGEM’s Yorkshire and North East section and a senior engineer at ROSEN, said: “This event has attracted a lot of interest from our members and we are delighted to see so many here today.

“The energy transition is moving at a fast pace and as an industry we need to be ready for the move to greener fuels and net zero. Digitisation is also high on our industry’s agenda, so the discussions at 3t today have been extremely topical and informative. We have lots of food for thought to move forward as a sector.”

3t is the UK’s leading training provider and provides the highest impact learning solutions for safety-critical industries including energy, renewables, marine, construction, gas, electric and water.

Martin Hottass, Corporate Development Director at 3t, said: “Bringing key industry professionals together for events like this provides an invaluable networking opportunity and sparks interesting debate to advance the gas distribution and transmission sector. 3t’s unrivalled expertise in training, technology and transformation means we are uniquely placed to help the sector move forward, embrace digitalisation and fully prepare for the move to cleaner, greener fuels.”

To find out more please visit www.3tglobal.com