We have a tendency to only focus on the technological advancements we make and create and not what made it in the first place, a human. The true potential of these advancements is realised when we place people at the centre of any innovative solution. After all, if it doesn’t benefit someone in some way, what's the point? It’s about time we had an episode that explores this topic - how the integration of cutting-edge tools like virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and immersive tech can transform not just the way we work, but how we develop and empower the people within our industry and in doing so benefit the industry itself. It’s a never-ending cycle of positivity, or at least it is if we can master it. So let’s chat with someone who is currently mastering this, shall we? Rob Claridge is Laing O’Rourke’s European Learning Solutions Owner, overseeing the transformation of its learning and development strategy. Known for his entrepreneurial spirit and his passion for solving problems by combining the new and the old, his time in the financial sector was marked with several awards, including the 20th Banking Technology Awards’ Rising Tech Star. Back to the present day Rob now oversees the L&D of several new innovative products and projects including immersive learning and augmented and virtual reality. His work to date on the reimagining of the “Working at Heights” course saw the project honoured at the Building Construction Awards in late 2022 in the field of Virtual Reality. Since then Rob has held talks on The Metaverse, VR and AI – to showcase the innovations that Laing O’Rourke is working with right now. Discussion Topics - The Role of Technology in Transforming Learning and Development in Construction - Bridging the Gap Between Traditional and Modern Construction Techniques - Exploring the Metaverse, VR, and AI in Construction - The Impact of Immersive Learning - Entrepreneurial Spirit v Large Organisations and Innovation Links Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028  Website: https://www.builddifferent.marketing/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/builddifferent Further Links https://www.oxfordcollege.ac/news/skills-gap-statistics-uk/  https://www.ukconstructionmedia.co.uk/features/revolutionising-construction-safety-the-impact-of-technology/ Mentioned in this episode: Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial Adobe Express 30-day Free Trial: https://prf.hn/l/ZYdd028