The skilled trade profession is booming. The need for qualified personnel is ever increasing. Careers like plumbing, electrical work, HVAC technicians, construction are in high demand, owing to the expanding cities, urban settlement, and an aging workforce. To take an example, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) demand for HVAC technicians is “projected to grow 9 percent from 2023 to 2033”. Employment for electricians is projected to see a growth of 11 percent. The figures are very close to other vocational careers. To meet these demands, adequate training opportunities must be made available to interested candidates. In a traditional set up, the path to becoming a skilled electrical worker or for that matter any other skilled trade worker would involve attending a vocational training institute, earn a certification, work as an apprentice to gain hands-on experience, then work as a journeyman and in several years become experienced enough to work independently. No doubt, a rather lengthy process. It has its plus points because with experience comes confidence, but the long process often drives candidates away from these professions. Scenes are changing and classroom teaching and apprenticeship are not the only way to learn the trade and gain experience. With the coming of virtual reality or VR simulations, the same training and experience can be achieved in far less time. Learners get to train and practice at the same time; they learn skills and gain hands-on-practice simultaneously.
How is VR Revolutionizing Vocational Skill Training
Before we get into the benefits of VR and its quality to revolutionize the training scenario, let us get a quick insight into what this mode of training is all about. VR is virtual reality and as is very evident from the term, it involves a digitally created virtual environment. Using the real-world as a reference, realistic environments are digitally created to provide learners with experiences as close to reality as possible. Within the environment are elements and affordance that replicate equipment used in actual settings. Learners don a head mounted device and step into this virtual world to perform tasks and activities as they would in any real world set up. So how does this virtual reality training help in skill development and what benefits does it provide? Let us now explore this.
Hands-on Experience – Can you learn to fix a leaking pipe merely through textual knowledge? It is highly unlikely. You may get the basics of it, you may understand how it is done but when it comes to actually doing it, there could be a huge difference. For one thing, practically performing a task is likely to throw up unforeseen challenges; challenges that were possibly not described in a textbook. It takes hands-on practice to understand every aspect of the task, grasp the nitty-gritty of the job and learn from the challenges it throws up. VR training provides all these benefits. By the time a learner completes a course, they are prepared to face possible hindrances and equipped with the knowledge and experience to tackle them.
Safe and Controlled Environment – Performing tasks in VR simulations means practicing in an absolutely safe and controlled space. Working with electrical parts, especially for a novice, can be risky. A minute wiring error may lead to catastrophic results. Chances of such catastrophes are eliminated in a virtually simulated environment allowing learners to learn and practice with ease and comfort.
Flexible and Convenient Access – Learning a trade using virtual reality simulations provides learners with the opportunity to take courses at their convenience. They are not required to be available at a specific place for a certain duration, allowing them to fulfil other responsibilities along with continuing their training. Learning and practicing time is not fixed and each learner can learn at their pace. To access a VR course, all that it takes is a little space and a head mounted device. Time and location do not pose any restriction, and learners have the flexibility to learn at times suitable to them.
Cost Effective – From the learner’s and the trainer’s perspective, training in VR is highly cost effective. For the trainer, it does not require the need to maintain expansive and expensive training facilities. The expenses involved in purchasing and maintaining equipment are eliminated. As the equipment and tools in the scenario are virtual, there is no wear and tear, once again eliminating the need for regular maintenance or replacement. For learners, costs like transportation, equipment rentals and education institution fees can be a costly affair. Learning in VR with self-paced courses gives them the opportunity to complete courses in their chosen time and enter the field as early as possible, opening up doors for earning opportunities.
VR technology is continuing to evolve and with it are evolving the openings in which its application can be useful and beneficial. Learning and practicing in VR is an immersive and engaging experience. When skills are practiced in realistic scenarios, the understanding is better, and the retention rate is higher. With a high retention rate comes the advantage of efficient task replication in real-world settings with confidence.
With certification courses in skilled trade professions like the ones offered by ImmerseLearn, learners enter the job industry prepared with hands-on training and enough experience to help them perform with efficiency. VR simulations provide the perfect grounds for thorough training and practice, ensuring each learner is job ready on course completion.
