West Lothian bright sparks invent safer training device for students

Two lecturers from West Lothian College have invented a practical teaching aid to help electrical apprentices get hands-on experience with a potentially hazardous issue and are keen to share it with the rest of Scotland. Thomas Barlow and Scott Cavanagh from West Lothian College created an interactive fault board that allows young learners to practice testing for neutral current diversion (NCD). The innovative resource was inspired by SELECT, the country’s largest construction trade body, which provides guidance on NCD through various resources and information.

“We got the idea when we received the SELECT posters giving guidance on NCD. We thought it was a good idea but we didn’t have anything to actually show the apprentices, so we wanted to create something they could physically interact with,” said Thomas Barlow. The duo used materials they had on hand to build the interactive board, including a repurposed whiteboard. Scott Cavanagh highlighted the importance of practical training alongside theoretical knowledge, stating that the board allows learners to simulate testing NCD in a controlled environment, providing invaluable experience in fault diagnosis.

Other colleges have already shown interest in replicating the device, with SELECT Associate Member company Scolmore offering assistance in production to distribute the units across Scotland. The interactive board has the potential for multi-trade training, enabling various professionals to detect faults they may encounter in everyday scenarios. NCD poses a serious safety risk when protective measures fail, leading to current diversion via exposed metal fixings and potentially causing fire or explosions in multiple occupancy buildings.

Bob Cairney, Director of Technical Services at SELECT, commended the lecturers for their invention, emphasizing the practical training it offers apprentices in various trades. The device has received positive feedback for making a complex safety issue more tangible and easier to understand. With the support of industry partners, Barlow and Cavanagh aim to make the interactive fault board widely accessible for training purposes.

In summary, the collaborative effort between West Lothian College and industry partners to create a safer training device for electrical apprentices demonstrates the importance of practical, hands-on learning in reinforcing theoretical concepts. The initiative not only enhances safety awareness but also provides a valuable educational tool that can benefit learners across multiple trades in Scotland.