VR at work survey: Mixed reality and training

Training in the immersive worlds of virtual and mixed reality (MR) can make learning safer, faster and more engaging. And that means more efficient operations, better customer satisfaction and greater competitiveness.

Our survey, carried out with CCS Insight, reveals how businesses are harnessing VR and MR to train in hard and soft skills, and the types of results they're seeing.

MR is transforming every kind of training

We surveyed 500 respondents based in the US and the UK who are using VR or MR at work. They worked in a wide range of industries, from financial services, aerospace and defence, to hospitality and recreation.

Onboarding, skills training and learning and training for education make up the main uses for VR and MR at work, for nearly 40% of respondents.

So how exactly is training in VR or MR being implemented? It's easy to imagine why the immersive experience of VR might be used for hard skills training, such as learning to operate machinery and carrying out other complex tasks with the help of technical MR training simulations. But it may come as a surprise that VR and MR are being more widely used to train soft skills (58%) than hard skills (50%): even in the construction and manufacturing sector, 57% of VR and MR training solutions are used for soft skills training.

This not only indicates the increasing importance of soft skills to business success, but the effectiveness of VR and MR in honing these skills even further. This could be thanks to the immersive nature of VR and MR in creating opportunities for emotional connection, and how the technology can provide life-like simulations in environments that mirror the workplace.

One example of the effectiveness of VR and MR for training in soft skills is Locker Room Talk's emotional intelligence training course, which is educating young players to respect women and girls from an early age. See how VR is being used to train sports coaches in gender equality.

Industries use mixed reality training in different ways

Although VR and MR training is used across industries, there are marked differences in the way it's implemented. For example, those working in the technology (68%) and aerospace and defence sectors (63%) use VR and MR more for hard-skills training. Meanwhile, in media and entertainment, VR and MR is used more for soft skills training (74%).

The technology's use for formal learning is also fairly widespread, across industries. Unsurprisingly though, those working in education rank formal education as the most popular use of VR and MR (67%). But aerospace and defence (44%) and transport (45%) also report greater educational use of VR and MR, showing how the technology can unlock high levels of technical expertise and skills.

Training in VR and MR is more efficient

Whether VR or MR is used to train hard skills, soft skills or for formal education, the technology enables participants to practise their skills in an immersive, distraction-free environment, which can appeal to different types of learners.

This helps make VR and MR extremely effective in learning settings. Compared to online or video, the technology leads to improved speed of completion; ability to absorb information; engagement and participation; and ability to stay focused for learners.

For example, those who received hard skills training in VR and MR reported improvements in:

• Speed of completion (59% of respondents)
• Engagement and participation (61% of respondents)
• Ability to remain focused (64% of respondents)

The efficiency of VR and MR training can be seen when Pfizer used the technology to train people in producing their life-saving COVID-19 vaccine. See how VR got Pfizer staff up to speed – fast.

Training in VR and MR improves confidence and understanding

Training in VR or MR doesn't just boost technical and soft skills – it also helps learners feel they can use what they've learned in the real world. For example, real-world scenarios can take place in a safe environment, where participants can make mistakes and repeat exercises until mastery, providing them space to practice and room to grow.

And, because VR and MR are so immersive and distraction-free, either technology can also enhance the retention of knowledge.

The advantages are evident in the results. Compared with online or video methods, those who received hard skills training in VR or MR reported improvements in:

• Confidence in applying skills learned (60% of respondents)
• Ability to absorb information (63% of respondents)

See how VR and MR are helping equip formerly incarcerated people with in-demand skills: Read about Vehicles for Change.

VR and MR improve the delivery of training

It's not only training participants who benefit from learning in VR and MR – those delivering training experience a positive difference, too. The survey shows that employees who have delivered training using VR or MR have seen improvements in:

• Engagement and interaction (65% of respondents)
• Employee focus (67% of respondents)
• Ability to convey information (66% of respondents)
• Speed of delivery (65% of respondents)

So, participants can not only learn better, concentrate better and engage better in the VR and MR experience, but they're often taught by more engaged, focused and alert employees.

Discover how Meta Horizon managed solutions can scale your organisation with virtual and mixed reality. Learn how you can use VR and MR to build the future of work and education with our success stories. Getting started is easy, please

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"Survey: VR at Work, 2023" by CCS Insight (Meta-commissioned study of 500 UK and US respondents using VR at work), Feb 2024.