The pandemic has created many challenges in the service industry, among others. For instance, engaging and retaining workers is proving to be difficult for many organizations right now. That presents a significant problem as companies learn that improving the employee experience can lead to a better customer service, not to mention reducing absenteeism in the workplace. As for creating a positive employee experience, with the goal of engaging and retaining the workforce, virtual reality (VR) could be the solution.
Online learning and development have become commonplace in COVID-19 times. With many workers in home-based offices, rather than commuting to a central office, technology has provided a way for HR departments to organize training for the remote workforce.
However, providing an equal and engaging learning experience for all workers has been troublesome. For example, it can be difficult to establish standards and practices with a new system, and workers may lose interest or feel overwhelmed from a distance.
A major advantage of using a VR platform for learning is that it offers a compelling way to learn when in-person opportunities are unavailable because of concerns relating to COVID-19 or another reason. Plus, the training experience looks the same for all, typically assigned to certain workers with only a Wi-Fi connection needed, either by location or device.
From skills training to job shadowing, there are many ways for HR professionals to use virtual reality to boost engagement. That means that employees can continue to develop their careers within the organization, keeping them satisfied in their work and less likely to look for employment elsewhere.
Another plus of virtual reality-enhanced training is that it recreates almost an identical environment to the real one in which learners will be doing the tasks. A VR training program involves learners practicing the activities they will be doing in real life, and HR teams can analyze the data to assess a learner’s proficiency with new information.
Thus, employees engage within VR scenarios to demonstrate their ability to perform necessary skills before ever being in a risky real-life situation. Learning by doing can improve the individual’s proficiency in ways that might be difficult if taught in a classroom or through a theory-based approach.
The learner feels as though they are really in the situation as they are completely immersed in VR. This engaging and memorable experience is one that employees may value for enabling them to work through mistakes in a safe space and start to gain deeper meaning in their actions.
There are many methods to improve employee engagement and retention from afar. With remote working as the norm, automated solutions like those from Talcura and virtual reality can be powerful tools to strengthen collaboration, communication, and learning.
These modern technologies can help organizations ensure their workers have the skills that are necessary now and in the future. Seeking out new ways of working is how many companies will stay ahead of the competition.
