With the right technology, you can increase your functional flexibility, enhance your brand and positively impact your bottom line [1].
It also assists with employee satisfaction and productivity.
According to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) on 1,000 U.S. adults, 77 per cent of respondents think one of the most important benefits of wearable technology is its potential to make employees more efficient and more productive.
46 per cent said companies should invest in wearable technology for their employees [2].
More than just video conferencing, virtual reality is achieving great results in many industries, especially in workplace training.
This is not a new concept when you consider how pilots haven been using flight simulators for decades – the first commercial flight simulator was developed in 1929 to train fighter pilots [1].
Today advances in other industries (such as gaming) has made the technology much more cost effective and accessible. Practical uses include:
Simulating real-life situations
Like flight simulators, virtual reality simulates real-life situations within a controlled and safe environment.
This reduces cost of training 'in real-life' by removing fuel, time out of the office, the need for equipment or space offline.
It also reduces the risk of an untrained employee carrying out work or incorrectly using equipment with potentially disastrous consequences.
Employees can also gain more skills, practice independently and see the results of their errors without any risk.
Successful uses include forklift drivers, heavy vehicle mechanics, surgeons and to provide difficult conversations scenarios – both for leaders dealing with staff and for call centre employees.
It has also been used in manual handling training – providing a more engaging experience which changes safety behaviour and culture.
'Second screen' experience
There has been some great success with technology giving workers more data and information without having to change computer screens or stop what they’re doing.
In one example for warehouse workers, order numbers and weights are projected in a virtual headset.
Increasing safety as the employee’s eyes do not divert from their forklift path and efficiency as information is provided regarding the weight of the item they are about to pick up. They also receive an automatic reminder about correct manual handling techniques before they engage in the task.
Pre-employment assessment and onboarding
By allowing prospective candidates to experience a role hands-on and in an interactive way, both you and your candidate can determine if they’re right for the job.
Assessing physical ability, appropriate skills and safety awareness as part of the recruitment and training process.
APM WorkCare provides a welcome path for workplaces looking for digital innovation.
The potential for workplace training, health and safety remains huge and the consequences of not keeping up with advances in technology are growing.
- If you would like to explore the potential of virtual reality, wearable technology or digital innovation in your workplace, contact APM WorkCare today.
[1] Does virtual reality have a future in workplace training? – Bodycare Workplace Solutions
[2] The inception of wearables in the workforce – WTVOX (via the Internet Archive)