The penchant for playing computer games has been harnessed in a series of educational games aimed at growing interest in industries with skills shortages.
Construction Tycoon is one of these which allows future business people and construction workers can get a taste of what it’s like to build their own company.
Created by Joy Business Academy, the Tycoon series has the backing of partners including Microsoft, Xero, Ministry of Social Development, Fletcher Building, BDO and Building Construction Industry Training Organisation (BCITO).
Construction Tycoon immerses players in the construction business. They can create their own company, build a property portfolio and put together a team strong on logistics, worksite safety, and money management – while trying to keep afloat.
The developer says this is the first of this type of game to include real-world support within the construction industry with partners that include the Xero login system, BCITO’s work-ready portal, Ministry of Social Development’s services, BDO’s services and BNZ loans.
There are real-world scenarios to show what goes on in business, and the game also highlights the skills needed, says JBA.
Founder James Coddington said the construction industry needs innovation, efficiency and talent. “Construction Tycoon will help develop this. That’s why all the key industry players, Ministry for Social Development and others have come together to develop the game.”
Gamified learning has proven to be a powerful tool, with high student engagement and outcomes compared to traditional education. One University of Auckland study found students learnt as much in a one five-minute gamified session as they did in 25 minutes in a traditional classroom situation.
It also seems that gamified learners also have better knowledge retention. A recent JBA client found that by gamifying its induction programme in the tourism industry, learners retained 98 percent of new information when tested a month later compared to just 31 percent retention in the traditional face-to-face induction programme.
Coddington said that gamified learning also reduces risk for SME owners who can test and experience real-life exercises without a cost output. “From a business viability standpoint, research shows new businesses that have proper budgets, goals, advisors and technology are 27 percent more profitable than those without.”
The Tycoon Series launched as an industry partnership in July 2018 and had over 18,000 downloads and 100,000 players in the first six months. The game has been downloaded and used by SMEs (72 percent), educational institutions such as schools, universities and ITOs (15 percent) and partners (13 percent). The Tycoon games have been designed around the 10 core employability skills required for jobs in 2020, as identified by the World Economic Forum.
The Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Minister for Social Development, said the game ticked so many boxes. “Small Businesses are learning about how MSD can help them hire staff, clients use it to learn about industries they want to work in, and it’s being used as a successful teaching tool in schools,” she said.
The Hon Willie Jackson, Minister for Employment, said the Government is committed to supporting the construction sector.
“One of the challenges the sector, which includes hundreds of small businesses, faces is getting the right people into work. Playing this game is a good way for businesspeople to learn about how the Ministry of Social Development can support them in finding, training and keeping good workers. We’re partnering with the industry to provide different, exciting tools to help businesses and their employees thrive.”
