Dive Brief:

• To deal with the challenges of requiring new employees to travel to company sites for hands-on training, Ido Lechner, who writes for PSFK, shares an example of a company that’s turned to virtual reality (VR) and robotics for onboarding training. Lechner talked with Rory Cameron, the Executive VP at CallidusCloud to learn more about the use of VR and robots in training efforts of the future.

• Cameron explains some of the challenges for high-tech adoption. For all its advantages, “there’s still a reluctance for many brands to adopt a digital learning approach, “says Lechner. He theorizes that lack of adoption stems from, “a fear of the distractive qualities of computers" that makes companies reconsider investing in such tech.

• Cameron argues that VR reduces onboarding time by as much as 50%, because it focuses on training in the real world vs. scenarios. He advises that this is demonstrated well by medical training, in which new doctors must train in actual real settings to develop their expertise.

Dive Insight:

By using virtual reality paired with onsite robotics, learners can become immersed in the training and can focus on becoming skilled before they enter their careers. They are more prepared and ready to face the challenges of their industries, according to many observers. 

Lechner also mentions emerging technologies, like intelligent ‘chat bots’ that can survey learners to discover their best learning style and then deliver customized learning experiences. This new technology impacts not only workforce learning, but also the public schools and university systems of future generations.

In terms of workplace learning and onboarding efforts, it may be too costly at the moment for employers to invest in VR equipment and robots, but in some industries (as mentioned the medical field) it’s certainly possible. Other occupations may soon follow suit as technology becomes less expensive and more readily available in the consumer market.