How VR Technology Is Transforming Workplace Learning Across Industries?
Do you know that virtual reality-based training has been found to drive a massive 76% increase in learning effectiveness compared to traditional methods? In this fast-paced world, where you need your workforce to be agile and flexible, virtual reality (VR) training can deliver better results by offering immersive learning experiences.
If you do not know what the immersive learning meaning is, it is an experiential training methodology that uses VR to simulate real-world situations and train employees in a safe and engaging environment. Before we explore how this training method is revolutionizing on-the-job training across industries, let’s understand the basics first.
What Does Virtual Reality Training Mean?
Virtual reality training refers to a training program in which employees wear a VR headset to enter a virtual training environment. There, they can interact with various virtual elements and learn from the experience. It is a form of immersive learning experience that recreates real-life settings and simulates work challenges.
Most VR headsets have numerous built-in sensors, such as an accelerometer or gyroscope, to track the user’s movement. At the same time, the surround-sound audio helps create total immersion. Based on the employees' learning requirements, the L&D team designs a VR training module where the learners can enter a virtual environment that mirrors their workplace and learn through experience by seeing and doing.
The Major Benefits of VR Training at the Workplace
Virtual reality has been increasingly used by organizations to train and upskill employees all over the world. The reasons for such rising popularity are pretty straightforward.
A Safer Learning Environment
In several industries, it could be risky to train employees in a real scenario. In such situations, VR technology can provide a risk-free training environment where the learners can experience obstacles and learn from seeing and performing tasks without any hazards. Training for medical surgeries, manufacturing and construction, oil rigs, and other challenging environments often puts trainees at risk in traditional training programs. VR programs, on the other hand, can boost the confidence of the learners and mitigate the risk of workplace injuries during training.
More Cost-Effective than Conventional Training
VR training is generally more affordable than traditional training programs. While the upfront cost for equipment and software may be higher, once the VR training is set up, you can repeat the modules as many times as you want. With the growing popularity of VR technology, the prices of high-end VR headsets will also get more affordable. Also, VR training is more effective than traditional training, reducing the need for re-training later. This can free up your staff schedule, helping you save on training costs.
Realistic Training Scenarios with a High Level of Details
With the right tools and development resources, organizations can create highly detailed virtual training environments. In most cases, these training environments look and sound good. Robust graphics in ultra-high-definition with surround sound create realistic and bespoke scenarios with VR, improving the learning experience for employees. The virtual simulation can also accurately replicate certain aspects of a business for a true-to-life training experience.
Better Retention of Training
With VR training, employees become immersed in a virtual environment where they learn through seeing and interacting with virtual elements. This practice helps reinforce the skills and knowledge they are acquiring. Since VR training can be repeated, the learners can easily practice their skills as much as they need to. Learners can also develop a better understanding of complex theories and practices that they may need in their work.
Remote Training Option
VR training also opens up a world of new possibilities for remote learning and collaboration. This is ideal for organizations where employees need to train in particular and often inaccessible environments. This training program also benefits the businesses in which the employees are dispersed in different parts of the world. Learners can access or download the VR training programs remotely. In this manner, a workforce can get the same interactive training even if they are located in different cities, states, or countries.
VR training is also more engaging and enjoyable for the learners, and it can be tracked to assess the effectiveness of the learning. So, when you compare it with conventional training programs, VR-based immersive training seems a lot more beneficial for organizations as well as their employees.
The Impact of VR Training in Different Areas of Work
For the past few years, virtual reality training has made a significant contribution across industries, helping employees get hands-on experience without the risks or hazards associated with real-world scenarios. Let’s take a look at how VR training is impacting different industries:
VR Training for Construction and Manufacturing
Architecture, construction, design, and manufacturing companies are turning to virtual reality for industrial training. Industry leaders like 3M and others are developing tools to train employees on welding and fall protection in the construction industry. Another energy company, Avangrid, developed a training simulation for wind turbine technicians. Lenovo has also launched a VR solution that helps new recruits get up to speed on repairing industrial machinery.
VR Training in the Healthcare Industry
During the COVID-19 pandemic, hospital training was less feasible in most parts of the world, and medical students had fewer opportunities to get real-world experience. This is where VR training made a significant contribution. A company named Shift began using VR technology for implicit bias training and found new opportunities in the healthcare industry, addressing the training challenges caused by the pandemic. VR training has also enabled medical professionals to gain practical, hands-on experience working with the human body in a simulation.
VR Training for Offshore Drilling
Accidents are quite common in the oil and gas industry. Falling from elevated heights, getting struck by falling objects, and getting caught between or in machinery are the leading causes of workplace injuries in this section. VR simulations ensure that inexperienced (or less experienced) professionals in the industry receive technical training in a safe and secure environment. Training staff on the job in the conventional methods also came at a great expense. VR training has helped reduce training costs for these organizations and has allowed staff to train with the latest machinery and emergency procedures.
VR Training for Soft Skills and Relationship Building
Soft skills are essential in a corporate environment, and they are currently driving the growth of VR technologies in workplace training. As you may know, workplace training for such skills is typically performed in a small group, with role-playing exercises. Since there is an awkwardness in performing with coworkers, the training is not always effective. On the other hand, you do not feel such awkwardness with a simulated human in a VR environment. A PWC study revealed that VR students learn four times faster than average classroom learners. Also, VR training is more cost-effective. This has pushed companies to invest in enterprise VR solutions and platforms designed for corporate clients.
Wrapping Up
The massive advantages and impact VR training has on various industries are the reasons why brands are now shifting their focus to immersive learning. As businesses across the globe constantly evolve in response to the changing world, VR training may just be the perfect solution to keep your employees highly trained, motivated, and productive.