Setting the Scene: Traditional vs. VR Training
Traditionally, LOTO training involved classroom sessions with PowerPoint presentations and hands-on training with actual equipment. This approach, while effective, had its limitations, especially in terms of scaling and ensuring safety during training. Isover’s transition to VR training marks a significant shift, offering a safer, more engaging, and efficient training environment.
Implementation of VR Training at Isover
Isover’s journey into VR training began with a desire to enhance its training methodology. Helle from Isover highlighted the significance of empowering more individuals in the organization to take ownership of the project: “It’s too vulnerable if only two people at the whole plant know how the VR headset works… So we have “trained the trainer” to be a VR trainer”. This approach ensured a broader dissemination of VR knowledge and skills within Isover, and a wider acceptance of the new procedure.
Results and Impact of VR Training
The implementation of VR training at Isover has yielded impressive results, transcending the expectations of traditional methods. Over 100 employees underwent this innovative training, leading to tangible improvements in both skill acquisition and operational efficiency.
Helle further commented on the practicality of VR in training: “It is something, a tool for instructors to make their everyday work also easier… So it is helping as a tool, also for our trainers”. This underscores the value of VR in facilitating the trainers’ work, making training not only more effective and streamlined but also adding VR to their professional toolbox.
Multisensory Learning Experience
Discussing the multisensory aspects of VR training, Helle mentioned the stickiness of VR training, and how it can help memory and retention of important information, “The more senses we use when we are in a learning situation the more we can remember afterward”. This approach speaks to the immersive nature of VR training, which engages users visually and through other sensory inputs, enhancing the overall learning experience.
Future Prospects and Developments
As Isover looks to the future, the potential for expansion and enhancement of its VR training program is immense. Plans for integrating AR for real-time guidance and synchronizing VR training with Isover’s Learning Management System (LMS) are underway. These developments will make training even more interactive and effective, streamlining training processes and providing personalized experiences.
Broader Industry Implications
Isover’s VR training initiative has potential ripple effects across various industries, from energy and manufacturing to healthcare and retail. This approach not only improves safety and efficiency but also prepares a workforce that is adaptable to technological advancements and evolving industry demands.