“The VR simulation allows us to control what the user sees, hears, feels. We see their behavior, and we can collect that data”.
Roy Elishkov, Actiview’s vice president of strategy and business development.
Virtual reality is starting to look like a certainty in the HR world. Many companies are taking advantage of the opportunities the technology offers in terms of costs, performance and attracting new employees. Let’s start with a fundamental statistic that makes it clear why this is a compelling market need: 38% of employees expect to test VR technology as part of staff training in the next 10 years, while 49% of millennials say they want a more interactive onboarding experience. And that’s even before looking at the data about efficiency and results of training in VR compared to other types of training. For memory retention in particular, VR is two times more effective compared than any other experience.
The recruitment and training sector can’t ignore the needs and expectations of an already demanding target audience. The expectations of prospective employees have grown, and millennials in particular prefer high tech companies where they can grow and develop their careers. Likewise, existing employees’ expectations for their company training paths have also grown, both in terms of quality and technology.
What are the advantages of VR staff training?
Immersive technology helps with the onboarding process for new employees and can also support changes and department evolutions within a company. Among the most effective techniques is definitely gamification, which can create a multisensory experience that is both informative and fun. It’s vital to be prepared and able to manage emergency situations, and immersive tech can facilitate and speed up the process of learning and handling stress in those circumstances. Assimilation teams on the other hand can resolve problems that are most pressing to the corporate office, such as the disconnect between local and international teams. With products like Oculus Rift for example, you can welcome a new employee with a speech from the CEO, introduce them to colleagues from different branches and help them get to know company culture and corporate objectives more quickly. Immersive technologies don’t just create that wow factor, they also offer concrete benefits in terms of time and costs. And on top of all this, they provide better learning experiences, which means tangible results for participants, especially in regards to decision making and reaction time.
Walmart’s employee training
Walmart is one example where VR technology has been integrated into their training program. Simulations include support in emergency situations, such as a store in the full throes of Black Friday stress. A Walmart VR test showed that employees who were trained with VR technology had better performance and were more able to memorize information. AR technology prepares employees to face critical situations and improve their reaction times. The program will roll out across 30 training centers and involve over 140,000 associates every year.
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Michela Di Nuzzo
« Se scrivo ciò che sento è perché così facendo abbasso la febbre di sentire». - Fernando Pessoa Giornalista e co-founder, vivo il digital come imprenditrice e appassionata. Percepisco il cambiamento come un'opportunitá mai una minaccia. Occhi spalancati e orecchie aperte, sempre pronta alla condivisione, la chiave di ogni evoluzione.