Ontario Construction News staff writer
Fanshawe College is set to receive a $20-million investment from the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) to build the WSIB Centre of Excellence in Immersive Technologies Simulation for Workplace Safety. The facility will use extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to create training tools aimed at reducing mental stress injuries for first responders and workers in other high-risk environments.
Public safety personnel (PSP) experience mental health challenges at much higher rates than the general population, with 45 per cent reporting at least one mental health condition, compared to 10 per cent of the broader population.
Factors such as treatment delays, stigma, and geographic barriers contribute to the challenges these workers face. The new centre will revolutionize how they are trained and supported by integrating immersive AI and XR technologies, says a statement.
Key features of the centre include:
- Enhanced Training Tools: Virtual and augmented reality simulations will allow PSP to practice responding to high-stress, real-world situations, improving preparedness and reducing risk.
- Innovative Mental Health Solutions: AI and XR-based therapies, such as virtual cognitive behavioural therapy and exposure therapy, will help overcome barriers to care, offering accessible and stigma-free support tailored to the specific challenges of PSP.
- Collaborative Innovation: The centre will bring together students, faculty, industry experts, and public safety trainers from Fanshawe’s Corporate Training Solutions (CTS) and researchers from the Centre for Research and Innovation (CRI) to develop scalable tools that can be used across Canada and internationally.
“We are deeply grateful to the WSIB for this transformative investment in Fanshawe,” said Peter Devlin, president of Fanshawe College. “Their support enables us to collaborate on groundbreaking AI and XR technologies to address the mental health needs of public safety personnel.
“This investment highlights the WSIB’s commitment to innovation and community well-being.”
The centre will also create hands-on learning opportunities for students in a range of programs, including public safety, health sciences, interactive media design, IT, and business. Students will gain real-world experience in developing and marketing innovative technologies, preparing them to lead in their fields.
“This Centre of Excellence has the potential to reduce the impact of mental stress injury claims and help these workers return to work safely,” said Jeff Lang, president and CEO of WSIB. “Together, we are changing lives—and saving lives.”
The development of the centre is expected to begin in early 2025.
