Why VR Training is the Future of Employee Development Across Industries

Virtual Reality (VR) is certainly striking up a case to make it invaluable when it comes to employee development. It is already being used in several industries, from education and HR to gaming and retail, VR and the training options it provides are too beneficial (and exciting) to ignore. VR has come on leaps and bounds over the last few years, and businesses are beginning to see the advantages of it when it comes to training their staff.

Let’s have a look at why VR training is the future of employee development.

What is VR Training?

VR training uses Virtual Reality technology to create immersive and interactive learning experiences. It places employees in realistic, 3D environments where they can practice tasks, make decisions, and solve problems as if they were in real-life situations.

One of the biggest benefits of VR training is how it allows employees to gain on-the-job training in a risk-free environment. This is particularly helpful in industries like construction and medical, where there are no risks to anyone’s physical health. 

Being able to replicate ‘real life’ work environments in a safe and controlled manner is an ideal training solution for almost every business.

Why is VR Training the Way Forward?

VR brings a tonne of great benefits to the table regarding employee development, with one report finding that 68% of employees view training as a company’s most important policy. Here are a few reasons why VR training is the future for staff and employees:

Improved Retention

Employee training and development has followed a relatively traditional and consistent plan for several years. Regardless of the industry you’re in, training often involves things like lectures, reading manuals, or watching videos. While these methods have their place, they can sometimes become a bit dry and forgettable.

VR, on the other hand, makes training immersive and hands-on. Employees don’t just hear or see – they do. This active participation means the information sticks. For example, learning how to handle emergency situations in a realistic virtual setting is far more engaging (and memorable) than flipping through a PowerPoint presentation. Plus, a report by PWC found that learners were four times faster to train on VR and 3.75 times more emotionally connected to content than in the classroom. 

Reduced Training Costs

Yes, VR tech may have an upfront investment, but it can actually save you money on training and development in the long run. 

Traditional training can be expensive. Things like travelling to locations, hiring trainers, renting venues, or even paying for physical materials. With VR, there’s an upfront cost to develop the programme and get the equipment, but once it’s set up, the same training can be rolled out to dozens – or even hundreds – of employees without added expenses. Plus, it’s always ready when you need it.

Experiential Learning

This ties into the risk benefit somewhat, but it’s still a great benefit. Being able to provide a safe environment for employees to learn is arguably the biggest win of them all – and it works with several different industries. Whether it’s learning to use heavy machinery in construction, practicing a surgical procedure, or dealing with a conflict resolution. VR provides that safety net where employees can make as many mistakes as they want with no genuine risk to their health or job. 

Consistency Across Training

Unlike traditional training, which can vary depending on the trainer or location, VR ensures that every employee receives the same high-quality experience. This is especially important given the number of people who now work from home. Employees get the same training programmes and routines – so everyone is on the same page, no matter where they’re working from.

Challenges with VR Training

While VR training has clear benefits, it’s not without its challenges. For one it’s still relatively new in the context of being broadly used throughout multiple industries. There’s also a lack of awareness and trust simply because of how new it is and how businesses might use it to train and develop their staff. 

Here’s a closer look at a few of the main concerns and how to tackle them

Setup Costs

We briefly mentioned how VR can actually be cost-effective in the long run, but the initial setup costs might deter some businesses. And yes, setting up a VR training program can be expensive upfront. The hardware, software development, and custom content creation can cost a significant amount. 

But again, businesses can view this as a long-term cost-saving measure. Once the tech is bought, VR training reduces ongoing expenses like travel, venue hire, and instructor fees and begins paying for itself in many ways. Additionally, companies can opt for scalable, off-the-shelf VR solutions if they’re on a budget. 

Adapting to the Technology

With VR still being pretty new and in the early stages of being adopted into training and development plans, it might sound alarm bells for those not well acquainted with this tech. Plus, not everyone is comfortable with new technology, especially employees who may not be tech-savvy. So, to make this easier, businesses will first need to create training plans to help staff trainers and employees to become familiar with how VR works. 

This can take some time, and some employees might not be keen on using such technology. All of this can take time to learn and find solutions to fit and appease all parties – and time is money! A good approach might be to start with simple, intuitive training modules that can ease the transition.

Motion Sickness and User Comfort

Unfortunately, this one might be a little harder to navigate! Some users may experience discomfort, like motion sickness, during VR sessions. The best way to bypass this might be to invest in high-quality VR systems that prioritise user comfort and design shorter training modules. This way, they can minimise motion sickness and still get the most out of the tech and training sessions. Also, welcome regular feedback from employees, as this can also help fine-tune the experience.

Scalability for All Sizes

For smaller businesses, VR might feel a bit out of reach. Especially for underfunded schools and medical institutions in the UK. However, VR tech is slowly becoming more affordable, which is good news for smaller businesses or those on a tight budget. This way, businesses can access more affordable VR tech to help train and develop their staff. 

Getting Started with VR

VR offers so many exciting opportunities for businesses looking to teach and train their staff in more immersive and engaging ways. But we understand that implementing VR into your processes can feel a bit overwhelming. As experts in the VR field, we’re here to help you make this transition easy, as well as provide useful insights and tips on all things VR.

If you’d like to learn more about what we do and how we do it, please contact us. Alternatively, take a look at our blog to learn more about the world of VR and the benefits it can bring to your business.

Summary: Why VR Training is Transforming Employee Development Across Industries

VR training immerses employees in realistic, risk-free environments, enabling hands-on practice and better decision-making

It enhances retention, with learners 4x faster and more emotionally connected than with traditional methods, according to studies

Cost-effective over time, VR reduces recurring expenses like travel, venue hire, and instructor fees after initial setup

Experiential learning allows employees to safely train in high-risk scenarios, benefiting industries like construction and healthcare

VR ensures consistent training quality across locations, supporting remote and hybrid workforces

Affordable and scalable VR solutions are making this technology accessible to businesses of all sizes