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Digital facilities at Blackpool and the Fylde College aim to deliver industry-standard software/data analytics capability, cyber operations practice, and immersive/AI visualisation in modern labs aligned to employer demand.
At Blackpool and the Fylde College digital equipment is used as part of regular timetabled delivery by learners keen to build on their studies and for other events.
Operations/set-up is carried out by Christopher Willits, Christopher Green, Lee Holroyd and Harry Smith (technical support).
“The facilities enable cross-curricular working,” says Christopher Willits, Curriculum Manager – Higher Education at Blackpool School of Computing. “For example, we can have digital students using it to build projects for other departments, which shows great collaboration.”
As well as being used for structured lessons, learners can book access to the rooms and equipment to further their studies.
Two cyber labs at Blackpool and the Fylde College provide real-world environments so learners can practice defence and attack scenarios in a safe way.
Known as the green and red room because of their bright neon lights, the rooms at the college’s University Centre provide space for cybersecurity analysis and training.
Each room is fitted out with a data wall to enable screen sharing to show work as well as display live threat maps during cyber tasks.
With a suite of computers on their own network, hacking activities can be carried out without affecting the college network, meaning real-world scenarios can be reenacted.
As well as cybersecurity courses, the two rooms, situated side by side, are also used for software development courses under the IoT.
“Because we’ve had investment from the IoT, we’ve been able to create these amazing rooms that can do lots of things and give us great flexibility,” said Christopher Willitts, Curriculum Manager – Higher Education at Blackpool School of Computing. “More than giving us the wow factor, the important thing is getting our learners into jobs afterwards and equipment like this enables them to learn in an environment they’ll be in at work.”
The Cube immersive lab at B&FC is known as the CAVE Automatic Virtual Environment, a virtual reality space installed as part of Blackpool School of Computing.
Used for teaching and showcases, the CAVE has been used by aerospace and digital apprentices to enhance their studies. Others are coming up with new and exciting ways to use the space for their dissertations. For example, it can be used for courses where 90 per cent of the delivery is through Teams.
They may look all fun and games but industry-leading racing simulators are providing very real opportunities for data analysis and esports experience.
The D-BOX motion racing simulators take users through different driving courses, with the whole unit moving in response to the driver’s progression through the driving course.
Situated at the University Centre within Blackpool School of Computing, the sims are used for simulation and research as well as the study of esports, an emerging discipline, which the college is keen to be leading on.
The equipment can be used to generate real-world data that is then analysed by learners in the IoT’s data lab.
Two omnidirectional virtual reality treadmills enable users to navigate their way through different environments.
Learners wear VR headsets while strapped into the Cyberith Virtualizer, a locomotion platform within Blackpool and the Fylde College’s digital facilities. The treadmills offer safe, supervised immersive locomotion for demos and research.
Staff and learners are exploring new and exciting ways of using the treadmills, housed at the college’s University Centre. The college prides itself on allowing learners to use the facilities outside of lessons to come up with their own mini projects, enabling everyone to learn from each other about the potential of the technology.
A specialist laboratory designed to support the development and testing of hydrogen, electric, and clean growth technologies. The facility equips learners with the practical skills required to meet emerging industry demands in sustainable engineering and low-carbon innovation.
An integrated access portal and enhanced simulation suites enable distance learning and dial-in capability for Core Partners. This shared approach maximises value across the IoT by reducing duplication of high-cost equipment, particularly simulators. It also supports flexible, remote learning from home or the workplace, strengthening resilience and continuity through built-in disaster recovery capability.
A cutting-edge training environment that mirrors the factory of the future, combining advanced manufacturing systems with digital integration. This cyber-physical facility supports the development of high-level technical and digital skills, including real-time data analytics, preparing learners for next-generation industrial environments.
A dedicated space for machine learning, AI, and advanced data analysis, featuring industry-standard tools and equipment. The lab includes AI robotics and informatics capabilities, with links to autonomous vehicle technologies, enabling learners to explore and apply emerging innovations across multiple sectors.