The use of Virtual Reality (VR) for workplace learning is fast becoming a game-changer in the way businesses induct and train staff. Next World Enterprises has developed the next world of VR training, where you can immerse yourself with a 3D render of your very own workplace, and tailor gaming strategies to train staff about potential hazards. VR is the perfect technology to help your staff visualise real-life scenarios without the dangers of being in the situation.
The idea around VR induction and training, converges science, technology, and innovation. VR is bringing evolution to the workplace training space, disrupting the in-effective ways with a breath of fresh air for learners.
VR training is delivering improved safety, onboarding and productivity. The technology itself is not only more effective than traditional training, it offers an entertaining approach to learning, as opposed to ‘death by PowerPoint’. Users are no longer external observers of images on the computer but are active participants in a computer-generated 3D world.
“On-Demand, On-Site, On Budget – finally an evolved method for training people.”
Founder and CEO Michael O’Reilly launched Next World Enterprises in 2017, dedicating the brand to build VR assets for industrial applications. During this time, he has worked with a large number of businesses and councils to induct and train staff.
Michael said, “Bringing new value to businesses through innovative and engaging learning technology, like VR, is so rewarding. Immersion training is an effective teaching method to help the construction industry as well as local government and warehousing – any industry really”.
Earlier this year Burke Shire Council, a very remote local government area in North West Queensland, Australia were given the opportunity to work closely with Michael and the team to induct and train their staff with the use of Next World Enterprises’ Pilot program, and the results were outstanding.
Participants from Burke learned on average 67 per cent more and with such positive results in all areas, Burke Shire Council will see continued success with VR training and with that, greatly reduced training associated costs.
“The technology would eliminate the need for flights, accommodation and other logistics-related costs incurred by sending staff away for training or flying trainers to remote areas — saving the council and ratepayers a significant amount of money,” Work Health and Safety contractor David Gornalle of Burke Shire Council said, “it would also reduce the amount of time staff are absent from work. You’re just taking someone off the job perhaps for half an hour instead of an afternoon.”
“VR training is actually cheaper and more accessible than eLearning to customise now.”
VR based learning is finding its place everywhere. RTOs are using it, big miners and oil and gas companies are using it; all because they’ve realised the purpose of sending staff for training is better met through VR over other options. It’s great to be a part of evolution. The technology is rapidly being recognised and adopted for OH&S training, and has generated an increase in engagement, improved knowledge acquisition, minimal risk and an increase in productivity compared to traditional training methods.
Compared to e-learning, Michael explains, “E-learning has no place in a modern and performance-based workplace L&D strategy, the future of learning has been brought forward with VR”.
Although the technology itself is ever-changing, VR training has now proven itself as the most advanced, cost-effective and successful way to train and induct staff in a safe environment.
Next World Enterprises is an Australian owned and operated company headquartered in Brisbane, Queensland. Offering custom inductions, bespoke training experiences and pre-designed ‘Off the Shelf’ training experiences (including Confined Space Entry, Working at Heights, Manual Handling and more), providing an engaging way to refresh your employee’s accredited training with 75 per cent knowledge retention in under an hour.
