VR and AR are Adding Value to Employee Training Processes

AR and VR provide an immersive and realistic experience of the scenarios, which makes them vital incorporations in the context of employee training.

FREMONT, CA: Enterprises are showing a keen interest in adopting virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) into their processes. The domain of AR stays in the production area, whereas VR is generally deployed in the employee training space. Such training can also be used in case of hard skills, i.e., job training as well as for soft skills such as team management or communication. Increasingly AR and VR are becoming a helpful tool in supporting the employee learning process.

Major Implementation Areas

The ability of AR and VR to provide an immersive and realistic experience of the scenarios makes them vital incorporations in the context of employee training. VR simulations influence various training tools, thereby creating highly realistic experiences. Moreover, employees learn faster and better as technology allows them to perform activities which seem highly realistic. AR is perfect for connecting virtual and real environment and is used by the firms to provide a layer of additional information or instructions to the employees.

Workplace Training

The employer is obliged to support the employee with periodic training and OH&S instruction. Initial training consists of general and worksite instructions and takes place before the employee is assigned with work. VR can assist in both sorts of training. VR is highly useful if the work which is to be performed by a new employee involves a hazardous environment such as large construction sites or high-voltage switch gears. It also applies to service companies that require frequent onboarding. The purpose of the VR platforms is to introduce the employee to the company, its culture, values, and to familiarize them with the superiors and other employees. It helps them to adapt and contribute to the high levels of efficiency.

Training on Machinery

VR enables in speeding up preparation for work by assisting the employees to understand their responsibilities, nature of work, and devices or machines used by an employee in the future. Virtual interaction with the work station, starting the device or machine, checking the capabilities of individual devices, and performing basic operations and tasks provides a better understanding of the nature of work.

An interesting VR in training app can be especially beneficial to simulate work as per the ongoing changes. For instance, an employee can get acquainted with the requirements when a new project arrives. The employee can be better prepared in advance if he gets a chance to experience the upcoming challenges on a virtual platform.

Safety Training

One of the most common use cases of VR is in OHS-related training. VR is the first choice when it comes to safety-critical areas such as technological lines and operations of machines. It also enhances the value to the area of strengthening habits with respect to safe behavior in the workplace, which applies to production as well as production companies such as in the logistics industry.

Security is strongly associated with the habits of employees in case of a production plant. AR will eliminate the possibility of dangerous situations in the production hall and assist in identifying potential dangers and threats. It is especially important in the industries with a high level of risks, such as the power or construction industry.

Management and Communication Training

VR is a crucial element that can push training in leadership and management to the next level. VR platforms prepare an individual not only for the usual but also for extreme or crises. Such situations demand the acquisition of skills not just in accordance with the rules or instructions, but also the capability to respond to the unpredictable behavior of other people. Simulation of such events that requires a response in various unfavorable situations allows practicing these variants and prepares the employees to face the unforeseen.