The Future Is Now: The Role Virtual Reality Training Plays In Today’s Training Sector

Develop Training In A Virtual Reality Environment
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Summary: Virtual Reality training is no longer some far-fetched premise from sci-fi films. It’s happening here and now. But what part does it play in your modern online training program?

Why Your L&D Strategy Needs Virtual Reality Training

VR may seem out of reach. It would be great to give your employees practical know-how minus the risk. But Virtual Reality training is still only a myth, right? The fact is that VR training has already been adopted by countless organizations. It may not be at the level where employees can lead their entire lives in the VR realm. However, they can prepare for workplace challenges and gain firsthand experience. Here are 6 roles Virtual Reality training plays in today’s training sector.

eBook Release:  VR Training Outsourcing: Your Guide To Launching A Successful Virtual Reality Training Program With A Top-Notch Content Provider
eBook Release
VR Training Outsourcing: Your Guide To Launching A Successful Virtual Reality Training Program With A Top-Notch Content Provider
Find the ideal partner for Virtual Reality training and transform employee training into an immersive and engaging experience.

1. Lessens The New Hire Learning Curve

New hires are usually uneasy on their first day on the job. They don’t know anyone and are unsure about their role in the company. VR training builds confidence and reduces anxiety. They can take a tour of the workplace, interact with virtual customers, and perform tasks in real time. The Virtual Reality environment gives them a supportive place to work out the performance glitches and learn from failed attempts. This also speeds up the onboarding process so they can get to work right away instead of sitting in a training room the first week, trying to acclimate to their new surroundings and job responsibilities.

2. Offers A Real-World POV For Theoretical Training Topics

Theoretical training topics include compliance regulations and company protocols. Employees must understand the rules and policies involved and be able to use them in real-world scenarios. For example, they should know why they have to follow the COI regulations or what happens if they breach the dress code policy. Or the reason there’s a dress code, to begin with. Virtual Reality training provides a real-world perspective for theoretical subject matter. A simulation shows employees the importance of local laws and how to abide by them while performing work duties.

3. Creates A Safe Environment For Virtual Risk-Taking

VR training creates a middle ground for employees. They’re able to take risks to broaden their experience and still explore the real-world repercussions. They know the "sting" of failures and the triumph of on-the-job successes. However, these risks are isolated to the VR training environment. Thus, employees get all the emotion, stress, and pressure that comes with their work responsibilities but they never have to worry about offending a client or missing a sale because of their mistakes. They learn from them in the VR space, figure out the best course of action, then avoid repeating them on the job. Another benefit of this is venturing out of their comfort zone. They aren’t afraid to take chances that lead to professional growth. This allows them to continually hone their skills and talents.

4. Reduces Online Training Seat Time And Expense

Many organizations put VR on the back burner because they think it’s too costly to implement. In reality, VR training can cut costs and reduce seat time. Employees spend less time training, as they absorb the information more rapidly. Virtual Reality environments condense training and use real-world application to improve retention rates. Thus, you don’t have to allocate as much to the training payroll, and employees can get back to their regular job duties. Of course, there are ways to keep VR training spending in check and avoid budget-breakers. For instance, repurpose existing online training materials, opt for cardboard headsets to start with, or outsource eLearning development to avoid software costs.

5. Facilitates Remote Apprenticeships

Traditional apprenticeships involve shadowing and observations. An experienced employee watches over a new hire to show them the ropes and share their expertise. It’s usually face-to-face, which deprives remote employees of this valuable training opportunity. However, VR training gives them multiple apprenticeship avenues. They can team up with a coworker in Virtual Reality environments to host live chats and demos. Or recommend relevant VR support tools to facilitate self-paced learning. Along the same lines, VR training in the workplace today can make your peer-based coaching and mentoring more dynamic. Pairs or groups are able to collaborate from across the globe, provide eLearning feedback, and work on projects. This all takes place in the VR setting, which eliminates tech barriers and creates a sense of immersion. Employees engage in face-to-face discussions, even though they’re thousands of miles apart.

6. Allows Employees To Cross-Train In Different Departments

Roles are clearly defined in today’s workplace, but they are also more fluid in that employees are often asked to take on different tasks or step in for coworkers. For example, they can’t simply tell a customer they’re unable to help. Thus, everyone on the team must have basic service skills and product knowledge. Even warehouse workers who don’t interact with customers daily. VR training lets employees walk a mile in their coworkers’ shoes and master new tasks. They’re able to cross-train in different departments or positions. This also prepares them for promotions and/or lateral career trajectories. For example, a sales employee is on vacation and you need someone to temporarily fulfill their duties. An experienced staff member can take over instead of bringing in a temp or simply doing without for the week. Virtual Reality resources equip them with the experience they need to wear many hats.

Virtual Reality training is a learner-centered approach you can implement today. Employees gain contextual knowledge and assign meaning to the online training content because it involves experiences, instead of merely reading a story or viewing a slideshow. They are part of the scenario and must use the immersive training tools to identify and address areas for improvement. There’s no guarantee that any technology will future-proof your online training program. However, Virtual Reality comes close.

You can launch your own successful VR training program with the right eLearning outsourcing partner, regardless of the resources and size of your business. Download the eBook VR Training Outsourcing: Your Guide To Launching A Successful Virtual Reality Training Program With A Top-Notch Content Provider and find out how to warrant your investment while boosting your employees’ performance and self-confidence.