How Advancements in Technology Can Enhance the Skills of an Employee

Thanks to technological advancements, job training has gone through a bit of a complete overhaul in recent years. While many companies stuck in the past are still relying on outdated training packets and slide shows, more immersive and effective options are available.

AR and VR

With augmented reality and virtual reality becoming more accessible and less expensive, many businesses are working them into their training programs. Both AR and VR have their respective uses. VR is more commonly used when the job is setting specific, where the trainee needs to be ‘transported’ to a job location. This is especially effective with police training as it exposes trainees to all of the threats they could encounter but with none of the actual risk. AR blends virtual and live environments together. According to Blippar, AR can help with a range of jobs, such as machine installation and repairs, health and safety training, medical training, and sales training. AR creates an engaging and effective way to train employees and benefits the workplace.

Virtual Driver Training

Another use of technology in practical training is through virtual simulations. Simulations are often used in situations where the job requires practicing a particular skill or getting used to using certain pieces of equipment, for example, when driving fleet vehicles. According to L3Harris Technologies, simulation-based driver training exposes drivers to challenging scenarios in a controlled environment and improves critical decision driving skills, cognitive awareness, and overall safety performance.

Using Response Technology

Response technology basically refers to the technology used to allow trainees to communicate with one another, asking questions and engaging in peer learning. This can include open-ended questions posed throughout training materials that are presented to all trainees or a type of bulletin board system in which trainees can ask questions and communicate with one another to help promote learning and growth. This allows your trainees to come to a collective conclusion to posed questions as opposed to simply providing the answers afterward, giving your trainees more confidence in their own talents and forcing them to problem solve as opposed to clicking through the material as quickly as possible just to get it over with.

It’s evident that technology is continuing to revolutionize the job training industry. The use of AR, VR, and other methods in employee training has increased skill retention rates dramatically and has helped reduce the overall time it takes to train a new employee by up to about 60%. The key to effective training is engagement, and these new technologies are designed specifically to do just that.

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