Young Dragons
Forging the Future through the Past: Using Immersive VR to Spark Young Imaginations and Future Careers in Construction
Young Dragons, in partnership with RD Group and Cyfle, delivers Futurescape, a schools-based programme aimed at inspiring and preparing 11–13-year-olds for careers in construction, engineering and renewable energy. With a mission to make future careers feel tangible and exciting, Young Dragons approached CEMET for help in harnessing emerging technology to engage young learners.
CEMET collaborated closely with Young Dragons to design and develop a virtual reality (VR) game built using the Unity game engine and targeted for the Meta Quest platform. The app places young users inside a medieval construction site, where they explore three professional roles—engineer, architect, and maintenance worker—through a series of interactive minigames.
From operating cranes to build bridges, arranging rooms in castle designs, or repairing electrical and plumbing systems in maintenance tasks, each activity was crafted to echo the essential skills used in real-world construction. After completing each station, the app highlights the core skills involved, helping learners connect their gameplay to modern industry roles. The journey begins and ends in a stylised futuristic space, framing the experience and encouraging reflection on how these ancient tasks have evolved.
Young Dragons trialled the application in schools, refining the experience based on real student feedback. To date, the Futurescape project has engaged over 350 students across 12 schools, igniting imaginations and broadening awareness of construction sector opportunities.
Designing for Engagement and Accessibility
The VR experience was shaped around accessibility, engagement, and educational value. A dynamic tutorial space introduces the controls and interaction style before launching users into the medieval scene. Within the main map, students can freely explore and complete the construction tasks at their own pace.
Minigames were developed with intuitive interaction in mind—pulling levers to light candles in the electrician station, assembling bricks in the bricklaying challenge, and constructing plumbing and gear systems in mechanical tasks. The design focuses on fun, visual learning while subtly reinforcing skill-based thinking and spatial reasoning.
“Working with CEMET on the development of our virtual reality game for Futurescape has been an outstanding experience. The support provided by their team was invaluable, from the early stages of concept development through to the final execution.”
“The software developed by CEMET played a crucial role in engaging the young people who participated in the project. It offered a realistic insight into working within the construction and built environment and brought the industry to life in a way that resonated with our audience.”
“We’ve received excellent feedback from participants and stakeholders alike, and CEMET’s involvement has been a key factor in achieving these outcomes.”
Building Foundations for the Future
The Futurescape VR experience is more than a classroom activity—it's a launchpad for young people to envision their place in the future of construction. By blending imaginative storytelling with hands-on interaction, the app has laid the groundwork for deeper educational engagement and long-term impact.
This successful collaboration has demonstrated how emerging technologies like VR can play a transformative role in early career education, and how playful experiences can inspire serious ambition.
CEMET is proud to continue to support Young Dragons through the development of this project. To find out more about their latest work visit their website
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Swansea City Council.
