There has been a lot of interest in exploring VR and AR for training workforces across various fields. Safety training for construction workers is especially of interest. Traditionally, training safety would come in the forms of manuals, lectures, drills, and videos. Although they can provide necessary information for carrying out tasks, they lack the ability to fully illustrate what hazardous events can look like. Replicating such scenarios in real life would be costly, require an immense amount of time, and pose safety concerns. As a result, VR is seen as a promising form of workforce training through its immersive properties and potential for gamification. The National Safety Council (NSC) has developed a program called “Work to Zero,” which is an initiative to eliminate workplace fatalities through 2050 by adopting emerging technology.
The following are a few examples of VR in workforce training.
An Interplay Company is a company that develops VR and AR experiences for workplace training. The company specializes in developing crane training though a VR setup.
VR has also been adopted in electrical safety training. When working with electrical infrastructure and equipment, it's important for workers to be well trained to avoid serious injury. VR is not only more efficient than a traditional classroom setting, it can also increase learner engagement, emotional connection, and confidence. Creating a virtual world allows workers to practice key tasks safely prior to engaging with real world equipment.