“Virtual Reality (VR) is a technology that has the potential to change the way we interact with the world, and it is also a technology that caan support accessibility and inclusion in positive ways.”

As VR and XR move toward mainstream adoption, implementers, technology buyers, and decision-makers need to consider accessibility from the start. Doing so ensures that VR experiences are not only functional but truly inclusive, an often overlooked factor that can determine success in practical, real-world applications.

Accessibility can take many forms, from built-in headset capabilities to specialized features within applications. In this article, we’ll highlight the key accessibility features you can’t ignore when implementing VR and explore the value they bring to your organization.

Hardware and Accessibility Features

While software and applications play a critical role in making XR and VR accessible, many solutions are built directly into the hardware itself. From headsets to controllers, modern VR devices offer innate features designed to accommodate a wide range of users and needs.

By offering capabilities such as gesture recognition, passthrough, alternative input methods, and vision or tactile enhancements, selecting the right headset from the start can help create more inclusive and usable VR experiences for all participants.

Hand Tracking and Gesture-Based Navigation

Accessibility isn’t just about finding alternative methods; it’s also about implementing intuitive, easy-to-use controls. Gesture-based navigation, such as that available on the Meta Quest, enables users to interact naturally with VR environments without relying on controllers, reducing barriers for those with limited mobility or fine motor skills.

With natural hand-tracking, users can navigate menus, select objects, and explore virtual spaces without handheld controllers. These alternatives may also feel familiar, drawing on accessibility features already found on smartphones and smartwatches, helping reduce the learning curve and increase adoption.

Many headsets also feature passthrough functionality, which allows users to see their physical surroundings without removing the headset. This enhances safety by preventing collisions, while also supporting social inclusion by enabling users to remain aware of colleagues, instructors, or others in the room. Combining hand-tracking, gestures, and passthrough creates a more intuitive and secure VR experience from the outset.

Alternative Input Methods and Customizable Controllers

One of the biggest challenges for people with disabilities when it comes to VR is that many VR systems require the use of a hand-held controller to navigate and interact with the virtual environment. This can be a problem for people with mobility impairments, such as those with cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis, who may have difficulty using their hands.

To address this issue, researchers are developing new forms of input, such as eye-tracking and brain-computer interfaces, that allow users to control VR systems using their eyes or thoughts.

Additionally, voice recognition technology has become increasingly integrated into VR and AR interfaces, enabling users to navigate virtual environments and interact with content hands-free. This technology is especially beneficial for users with mobility challenges or fine motor skill impairments.

Another key approach is customizable controls and alternate controllers. Headsets such as the PlayStation VR2 allow users to remap buttons and adjust sensitivity, ensuring controls adapt to the individual rather than forcing the individual to adapt to the device.

Additionally, the Xbox Adaptive Controller, originally designed for accessible gaming, can also be used alongside devices like the Meta Quest to provide fully customizable input options. Together, these solutions expand accessibility, enabling users with a wide range of needs to engage comfortably and effectively in VR experiences.

Vision Enhancement

VR hardware can also support users with visual impairments. The Apple Vision Pro provides features such as magnification, contrast adjustments, and spatial awareness cues, helping users navigate virtual environments more effectively.

In education or training settings, these enhancements allow learners to follow slides, read course materials, or explore virtual objects, such as in STEM labs, without missing critical visual information.

Another challenge for people with disabilities is the lack of tactile feedback in VR systems. People who are blind or have visual impairments may have difficulty navigating virtual environments without the ability to feel the surfaces and objects within them.

Haptic feedback devices, such as gloves or vibration-enabled controllers, simulate the sense of touch within VR, allowing users to “feel” objects and surfaces. This tactile experience adds a new layer of immersion and accessibility for users with visual impairments.

Software and Accessible VR Experiences

While hardware provides the foundation for accessibility, software and content design are equally critical for creating inclusive VR experiences. The applications, simulations, and learning scenarios you choose (or develop) can either enhance accessibility or create barriers for users. Thoughtful software design ensures VR experiences are not only usable but also engaging for all learners, regardless of ability.

Captions, Visual Prompts, and Haptic Alternatives

For users who are deaf or hard of hearing, VR experiences that rely heavily on audio cues can feel isolating. Adding closed captions and visual prompts is essential.

VirtualSpeech, for instance, includes optional closed captions in its learning scenarios, ensuring that key dialogue and feedback remain accessible to all learners. During a public speaking simulation, learners can read speech prompts or receive feedback in real time, which also helps non-native speakers better understand the content.

Other approaches include embedded avatars interpreting via sign language, as demonstrated by ASL Champ, as well as real-time transcription overlays and haptic feedback as a substitute for audio cues. These features make VR experiences more inclusive while maintaining engagement and interactivity.

Spatial Audio and Audio Description

Sound design can further enhance accessibility. Spatial audio provides directional cues, helping users orient themselves in a 3D space, which is especially valuable for learners with low vision.

Some VR experiences also include audio description layers, narrating key visual elements so blind or visually impaired users can follow simulations, lectures, or virtual classrooms. For example, a VR field trip could describe visual landmarks as students explore a historical site or a museum, ensuring that learning outcomes are achievable for all participants.

Customizable UI and Interaction Options

The way users interact with VR software can make a significant difference in accessibility. Customizable user interfaces and interaction layouts allow users to adjust elements such as button size, color contrast, or menu complexity – making it easier for people with different visual or cognitive needs to engage fully. These features are also especially valuable for users with color vision deficiencies, ensuring that key information isn’t lost due to poor color contrast or inaccessible design choices.

An additional consideration is offering browser-based alternatives, which reduce hardware barriers and make immersive experiences more widely accessible. Platforms such as VirtualSpeech and MolecularWebXR allow users to access VR and 3D environments directly from a web browser, without needing a headset or complex setup. 

Another aspect of adaptive design is the inclusion of seated or stationary modes. These options enable users in wheelchairs or those with limited mobility to participate fully and comfortably in immersive environments. Many VR platforms now also include height adjustment settings, ensuring avatars and interactions remain equitable. This means learners appear at the same level during group sessions, fostering a more inclusive and balanced experience.

Adaptive and Collaborative Features

Beyond interface customization, VR software can further support accessibility through adaptive and collaborative features. Adaptive tools adjust interaction speed, complexity, or guidance prompts based on the user’s needs, helping ensure that all participants can engage fully with training, learning, or collaborative experiences. This is particularly valuable in corporate training or educational settings, where participants may have different levels of prior experience or technical ability.

Tools that allow instructors or peers to provide guidance in real time ensure that all participants remain engaged and supported throughout the experience. This can include spotlighting objects, directing avatars, or offering shared annotations, as featured by Skyreal.

Accessibility in Action: VR/XR Case Studies

Medical Applications: Rehabilitation and Therapy

Immersive technologies are becoming a more recognised and implemented part of medical care for both rehabilitation and therapy treatments.

A powerful use case has been aiding the rehabilitation of stroke survivors. The University of Michigan Health has researched using VR as an addition to the existing and well-practiced Mirror Therapy to help patients rebuild strength and regain movement using a technology called NeuRRoVR.

Similarly, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust has utilised VR in their rehabilitation services, saying that it helped increase fun, motivation, and intensity in a new and innovative way to aid stroke recovery.

Cognitive therapy is also seeing the benefits of VR implementation. gameChange is a UK-based charity that works with the NHS to offer VR therapy treatments for those suffering from psychosis. gameChange provides a range of VR simulations, such as going to a cafe and or taking the bus. The exercises are designed to help ease anxiety for the patients in a safe, mistake-free environment.

Users can practice within the environments that may cause them distress, but in the comfort of their own homes, and with the reassurance that they can disengage at any point if they feel unsafe or overwhelmed. This method offers a controlled environment for exposure therapy, enhancing the efficacy of traditional CBT techniques.

VirtualSpeech Case Study: Asociación Asperger Madrid

Asociación Asperger Madrid (AAM) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to help advance the well-being of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The organization wanted to help individuals who were experiencing high interaction anxiety, reduced proactivity in social engagement, and difficulties in both verbal and nonverbal communication.

AAD explored VR solutions to help address the issue, and ultimately decided to work with VirtualSpeech. Users were able to practice social interactions in a safe environment, without the anxiety of making a mistake. By the end of the initial pilot, users were reporting a 10% increase in their social skills when interacting with strangers, as well as in managing anxiety and panic attacks.

The full case study is available here.

Breaking Barriers and Promoting Inclusion

One of VR’s most transformative qualities is its ability to remove barriers, both physical and social, creating truly inclusive environments. By replicating real-world interactions in accessible, equitable ways, VR helps users engage on a level playing field.

For instance, height adjustment settings in many VR applications ensure that all participants appear at eye level during collaborative experiences such as debates or group presentations. This creates a fairer dynamic for users in wheelchairs or those using seated modes, reinforcing confidence and equal participation in learning or team-based scenarios.

Beyond accessibility, immersive experiences can also foster empathy and promote understanding. VR is increasingly being used to help users step into another person’s perspective, particularly within Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training. Incorporating VR into learning programs adds a powerful layer of immersion, enabling learners to directly experience scenarios involving workplace bias, accessibility challenges, or cultural differences.

VR can also be used to strengthen collaboration and teamwork by simulating different communication styles and showing how to navigate them effectively. These experiences help learners understand the real-world impact of their behaviour, promoting more inclusive, self-aware, and empathetic workplace cultures.

Beyond corporate training, projects like Notes on Blindness: Into Darkness and The Key use VR storytelling to help sighted users experience what it’s like to navigate the world with vision impairments or as a refugee. By immersing users in these perspectives, VR helps build awareness, empathy, and understanding, offering a powerful way to experience challenges that might otherwise be invisible.

Conclusion

Virtual reality is proving to be a powerful tool for improving accessibility and inclusion, both in how it’s designed and how it’s applied. From hardware innovations like gesture controls, eye tracking, and adaptive controllers to software features such as customizable interfaces, captioning, and spatial audio, every layer of XR technology can contribute to a more inclusive experience.

Beyond functionality, VR’s greatest potential lies in its ability to break barriers and build empathy, whether by enabling equitable participation in collaborative environments, supporting therapeutic and rehabilitation programs, or allowing learners to experience diverse perspectives through immersive training and storytelling.

As VR and XR continue to move toward mainstream adoption, accessibility must remain a core consideration, not an afterthought. By designing with inclusion in mind from the start, organizations can ensure that immersive technologies truly benefit everyone, creating experiences that are as empowering as they are innovative.

In a recent webinar, Demystifying XR for Executives: Making Confident Decisions in Emerging Tech, VirtualSpeech was joined by Jeremy Dalton, XR expert, consultant, and author, who shared effective strategies for gaining executive confidence and investment in VR training initiatives, drawing on his industry experience.

At VirtualSpeech, we see firsthand that showcasing impressive technology alone rarely secures stakeholder approval. Building on our expertise and Jeremy’s insights, we’ve distilled the top five tips to help you make a compelling case for XR training within your organization.

You can watch the full webinar below, or explore the key takeaways here to strengthen your approach to stakeholder buy-in.

Tip 1: Lead with the Data

Some experts advise starting with the demo, and depending on your confidence, presentation style, and personal rapport with the stakeholders, that may work. Andy Trainor stated that the demo was vital for securing the rollout of VR training with Walmart. However, that is not always the case.

Jeremy warned that in his experience, this isn’t always the most effective route. By starting with hard numbers, such as cost savings, improved performance, reduced training time, and core statistics of the technology, you build a foundation of trust. The demo then becomes a supporting element that will seal the deal with its impressive nature, but not sell it on the impressive tech alone.

Additionally, technology can sometimes fail. No matter how prepared we are, there can be outside factors like the internet crashing or firewall security issues. By relying on the technology and hitting an issue, you risk negatively impacting your pitch, and with no additional proof to back it up, you may actually cause damage to that initiative for that pitch and beyond.

“Lead with the data. You want to establish credibility first, because if the tech fails during a demo, you’ve lost them before you’ve even started.”

Jeremy Dalton

Tip 2: Connect to Strategic Priorities

When presenting XR to stakeholders, focus on its ability to deliver tangible business outcomes, not just its novelty as a technology. Decision-makers care about cost, ROI, and alignment with strategic objectives.

Frame XR in terms of the KPIs that matter most to your audience – whether that’s reducing onboarding time, boosting employee retention, improving safety metrics, or scaling upskilling programs. By connecting immersive training directly to measurable results, you position XR as a tool for achieving business priorities, rather than a nice-to-have innovation.

“Don’t sell VR as VR, sell it as the solution to a real business problem.”

– Jeremy Dalton

Tip 3: Demonstrate the Long-Term Cost Benefits

A common hurdle to gaining stakeholder approval is the perception of high upfront costs. While XR may seem like a significant initial investment, it typically proves more cost-effective than traditional training methods over time.

To overcome this, break down the numbers. Compare VR’s initial investment with measurable long-term savings, such as reduced travel costs, fewer on-the-job errors, and higher employee retention. Concrete figures carry far more weight in approval discussions than abstract promises.

For example, Strivr found that while traditional training averaged $229.79 per person, VR training initially cost $327.78 per person. However, when measured over three years, the cost dropped to $115.43 per person, thanks to scalable hardware and reusable content. Unlike traditional retraining expenses, the bulk of XR’s investment (headsets and software) doesn’t reset every time a new employee comes on board, making the cost curve even more attractive long term.

“When you’re talking to stakeholders, the conversation needs to be about data and evidence. If you can show them that this technology is not just a shiny toy but something that reduces costs, saves time, or improves outcomes—that’s when you get their attention.“

– Jeremy Dalton

Tip 4: Prepare for Objections and Consider Potential Risks

Hesitation often stems from uncertainty. Traditional training methods feel safe because they are familiar and well-established. To build confidence in XR as an alternative, anticipate the questions and objections that may arise.

Be prepared to discuss IT compatibility, accessibility, data security, and technical reliability. Where you don’t yet have full answers, outline a clear process for gathering that information. By proactively addressing risks and presenting next steps, you demonstrate both thoroughness and control, two qualities that reassure stakeholders and strengthen your case.

“Address the barriers before they bring them up. It shows you’ve thought this through from every angle.”

– Jeremy Dalton

Tip 5: Bring in External Validation with Stories

Data builds confidence, but stories make it memorable. Pair hard statistics with real-world examples from reputable organizations to strengthen trust and credibility.

For example, saying “95% of learners improved” is impactful, but framing it as “95% of VirtualSpeech learners said VR practice helped them prepare better for real-world situations” makes the result tangible and easier to recall.

Look for case studies from similar industries or even direct competitors. Showing that respected organizations are already leveraging XR not only validates your proposal but also highlights the risk of being left behind.

“When someone tells you a story about a person’s life changing because of training, you remember that far more than a percentage point on a slide.”

– Jeremy Dalton

Keep these tips in mind when building your case for XR in your organization. We’ve also created a downloadable one-pager of these top tips so you can easily refer back to them when preparing your proposals.

Securing stakeholder approval isn’t just about showcasing new technology; it’s about aligning XR with measurable business outcomes, addressing concerns with confidence, and demonstrating its proven impact. By combining data, real-world examples, and a clear plan for implementation, you can turn skepticism into support and curiosity into commitment.

Download the PDF today and take the first step toward turning your XR vision into reality.

At VirtualSpeech, we’re passionate about helping develop soft skills that truly make a difference. Over the last six months, we’ve introduced a range of exciting updates to meet both technological advancements and the evolving needs of our clients and the market.

These updates include faster response times, smarter feedback tools, and improved dashboard analytics, all designed to help you learn, reflect, and apply your skills more effectively than ever before.

Maybe one of these new features is the next step in your learning journey.

As you can see, we’ve been busy! There’s too much to pack into one video, so keep scrolling to explore the new features and upgrades we’ve introduced over the past six months, and, most importantly, what they mean for your learning journey.

Realtime Conversations

Our Roleplay Exercises have always been well-received and praised for how realistic and impactful they feel. But we wanted to take realism a step further. That’s why we recently introduced Realtime Conversations – a major upgrade available in both VR and online.

This new mode improves conversation flow, encourages quicker thinking, and delivers a more immersive, dynamic experience. It’s especially powerful for handling emotionally charged or sensitive topics, such as delivering disappointing news about a promotion, as shown in the video below.

Manual Mode remains available alongside Realtime Conversations and continues to be an excellent choice for learners; it works particularly well for structured scenarios such as sales pitches or presentations.

AI Coach

Delivering in-depth, actionable feedback has always been central to the VirtualSpeech experience. After all, feedback is one of the most powerful tools for growth. Gallup found that employees who receive consistent feedback show up to 22% higher engagement in the workplace.

But we didn’t want feedback to be just a passive add-on to an otherwise immersive learning journey. So we asked: What happens after the feedback is given?

That’s where reflection comes in. Research published by BMC Medical Education shows that reflective practice can improve knowledge retention by as much as 78%, yet it’s often overlooked in digital training experiences.

To support this, we’ve integrated an AI Coach directly into the practice experience, designed to enhance the learner journey by delivering a complete learning loop: practice, receive feedback, reflect, and apply.

After each roleplay, learners are invited into a coaching session where they can openly reflect on their performance. The AI Coach “remembers” what both you and the AI Avatar said during the exercise, and can even quote specific parts of the conversation to reinforce the feedback. It also draws on detailed performance metrics, like speaking speed, filler words, tone, and clarity, to provide context and depth.

Learners can ask specific questions about their feedback, discuss different tactics to the scenario, and explore different ways to improve. By making reflection an interactive, personalised experience, the AI Coach helps transform feedback into meaningful action.

Roleplay Studio

While VirtualSpeech offers over 55 ready-to-use scenarios, we know that some learning needs are highly specific. That’s where Roleplay Studio comes in.

With our easy-to-use scenario builder, you can create your own AI-powered roleplays in just minutes, no coding or scripting required. Whether you’re an educator designing exercises for a specific course or part of an enterprise team training staff on internal policies and communication protocols, Roleplay Studio helps you tailor simulations to match your exact needs.

You can fully customise the scenario prompt, impact feedback, and scoring criteria, and choose from a wide range of immersive environments, such as a Doctor’s Office, Press Conference, Event Space, and many more. With Roleplay Studio, creating realistic, relevant training content takes minutes, not months.

Multiavatar Roleplays

Not every conversation happens one-on-one, and now your training exercises don’t have to either. With the introduction of Multiavatar Roleplays, VirtualSpeech brings a new level of realism and complexity to immersive learning.

By interacting with multiple AI avatars in a single scenario, learners can practice handling group dynamics and consider how elements like eye contact, body language, and conversation structure shift in a multi-person setting.

Scenarios range from panel interviews and board meetings to the popular Pitch Masters: Investor Challenge. Inspired by Shark Tank and Dragon’s Den, Pitch Master invites learners to present their business idea to a panel of avatars, each asking in-depth questions, covering everything from the core concept to market positioning and the financials behind the pitch.

Each Multiavatar Roleplay is supported by AI-powered feedback and a follow-up AI Coaching session, offering learners a complete learning loop that reflects the realities of high-stakes, real-world communication.

The Art of Teamwork

The Art of Teamwork is the latest course in our growing catalogue, joining favourites like Public Speaking Mastery and Difficult Conversations. This new course is designed to help learners improve collaboration by understanding and adapting to different communication styles, a key factor in effective teamwork.

Drawing inspiration from Carl Jung’s psychological types, the course introduces four color-based communication styles: Red, Yellow, Blue, and Green. Each colour represents a unique set of traits, preferences, and approaches to communication.

Learners gain a comprehensive understanding of their own style, including their dominant color and the percentage breakdown across all four styles. This self-awareness serves as a foundation for enhancing communication with others, particularly those who have differing and sometimes even conflicting styles.

Next, the course helps learners identify how to adapt and collaborate with the different colors, work more effectively in teams, and navigate difficult group dynamics. Immersive roleplay exercises and scenario-based activities reinforce the learning, enabling users to practice communicating with the various styles in a mistake-safe environment.

The goal is that The Art of Teamwork will help learners build stronger, more empathetic, and more productive working relationships, resulting in a more collaborative and engaged team.

You can access a free taster color personality quiz here.

New Feedback Design

Every practice exercise and roleplay now delivers more in-depth, actionable feedback, providing learners with greater insight into their performance than ever before.

Our enhanced feedback system offers detailed score breakdowns into key elements such as clarity, pace, body language, and more. Helping users understand exactly what impacts their overall score and identify targeted areas for skill improvement. These categories adapt depending on the type of exercise, ensuring feedback is relevant and tailored. For example, the Roundup video highlights the body language analytics, showing different hand movement patterns and a left-right percentage split.

Learners receive feedback in a clear, easy-to-understand summary by default, with the option to access a more detailed analysis. Both summary and detailed reports can be reviewed either as text or audio, accommodating different learning preferences and giving our learners the best experience.

New Visual Elements: New Avatars and New Environments

Over the last six months, we’ve made some exciting visual upgrades to enhance your practice experience.

We’ve listened closely to your requests for more diversity and now offer avatars that represent a wider range of ages, genders, and ethnicities, helping you connect with more realistic and relatable roleplay partners.

On top of that, we’ve added new environments to practice in, including a wedding/events space, a press conference setting, and a new meeting room, giving you fresh, varied spaces to build your skills with confidence.

Presentation Customization

Presentation practice can now be customized to the individual’s choosing, with different options available in the different rooms and scenarios.

Choose whether to hold a microphone or stand in the spotlight, and control audience distractions like coughing or phone noises, as a few examples. You can even adjust elements like audience size and manage audience questions in applicable scenarios.

For VR users, there’s an added level of control. Drag and drop windows in the interface to arrange elements like text prompts and presentation slides exactly where you want them. And if needed, you can quickly reset everything back to the default layout anytime without leaving the exercise.

This means your practice environment works around you, helping you focus on what matters most: delivering your best presentation.

More Language Options

As demand increases, we continually add more compatible languages to the platform. Learners can now engage in roleplay in over 15 languages, with more languages expected to be added in the future. This means that if your organization has teams in various geographical locations who speak different languages, you can be confident that they are all receiving the same high-quality training.

This means if your organization has teams in multiple geographical locations, speaking different languages, you can be reassured that they are all getting the same quality training.

Improved Admin Dashboard

We’ve given the VirtualSpeech Admin Dashboard a significant overhaul, making it easier to use while offering more in-depth data and analytics on your learners’ progress.

The new dashboard provides a clearer overview of overall usage, as well as deeper insights into specific learning behaviors. You can now track how learners are interacting with the platform across categories such as roleplay types and presentation room usage.

It is now easier than ever to learn how often a team member practices, how far they are through a course, or how they’re performing over time. Every learner has an individual analytics profile, compiling user stats and progress tracking. Additionally, you can now access Leaderboards that let you quickly identify top performers across your organization.

We’ve also streamlined license management based on feedback from our customers. It’s now simpler to assign licenses, including a bulk upload feature that allows you to add users via a spreadsheet in just a few clicks.

Finding completed exercises is now more intuitive, with a dedicated section and improved search functionality. Each practice session includes more detailed analytics, such as performance score, session length, and frequency of suggested response usage. You can also review transcripts, download recordings, and save results – all from a single screen.

By giving you greater access to usage statistics, easier navigation of shared exercises, and a more user-friendly layout, the dashboard makes it simpler to measure impact, track progress, and clearly demonstrate ROI on learning and development initiatives.

Conclusion

2025 has already been a transformative year for VirtualSpeech, packed with new features, major upgrades, and deeper learning insights. From Realtime Conversations and AI Coaching to improved feedback, multiavatar roleplays, and powerful admin tools, everything we’ve launched has been designed to elevate your learning experience.

But we’re not stopping here.

What’s next for VirtualSpeech? You’ll be the first to know when it’s ready.

Sign up to our newsletter for early access to new features, product updates, and learning insights.
Or, if these upgrades have shown you that VirtualSpeech could be the right fit for your organization, book a demo with our team. We would love to help you on your journey with immersive learning.

Without a structured onboarding process, businesses risk missing an opportunity to set up new hires for success. A well-planned training program enhances engagement, retention, and productivity.

This guide will help you create an effective onboarding and training strategy, including best practices for training remote employees.

Before They Start: Setting Up for Succes

Preboarding: The Warm Welcome

The onboarding experience starts before day one. A well-structured preboarding process helps new hires feel prepared, valued, and excited to join your team.

Send a Welcome Pack 

Help new hires start strong from day one by providing key details like their schedule, dress code, parking information, and a first-day agenda in advance. What feels routine to existing employees can be a source of stress for newcomers, so giving them this information in advance helps ease nerves and uncertainty. A personal welcome message from their manager or CEO can also make a great first impression.

If you really want to go above and beyond, consider sending a Swag Box—this could include items like a branded mug or water bottle, to more personalized items that reflect your company’s values.

Assign a Mentor/Buddy

Give new hires a dedicated go-to person who can answer questions, offer guidance, and help them navigate company culture. A mentor provides crucial support from day one, making it easier for new employees to settle in and feel confident knowing they have someone to turn to.

Schedule a Team Introduction

Make time for a proper welcome rather than a quick hello over a computer monitor between emails. A casual coffee chat, a welcome lunch, or a structured round of introductions (away from daily tasks) helps new hires build connections and feel like part of the team from the start.

Deliver Well-Planned, Relevant Training

Customize Training Content

One-size-fits-all training doesn’t work. Tailor sessions to the new hire’s role so they receive the most relevant knowledge and skills to succeed. The first days in a new role can be overwhelming, so focusing on essential, role-specific information helps keep training engaging and manageable.

Assess Skill Levels

Avoid redundant training by assessing each new hire’s prior experience. This helps focus time where it’s needed most, identifying key areas for growth, development, and potential skill gaps. A targeted approach makes training more efficient while ensuring new employees feel valued and understood.

Prepare Materials & Workspace 

Set employees up for success by ensuring all tools, resources, and schedules are in place before they start. A well-prepared environment leads to a smoother onboarding experience.

Don’t forget digital essentials—ensure new hires have login credentials and access to key software like Slack or project management tools from day one.

The First Days: Provide an Engaging Onboarding

Welcome & Orientation

The first few days are crucial in shaping a new hire’s experience. Start with a structured onboarding session that covers company values, culture, and long-term vision. This helps employees understand their role in the bigger picture and feel aligned with the organization’s mission.

Provide a Clear Overview

Ensure new employees have all relevant materials, including their schedule, key policies, and an introduction to their role. Rather than overwhelming them with too much information at once, introduce key responsibilities gradually through structured training sessions.

Send a Welcome Email

Announce new hires to the team with a warm welcome email. This should introduce them by name, share their role, and provide a fun fact or two to encourage team engagement. This gives existing employees awareness, as well potential talking points to engage.

Workspace Tour

Help new employees feel comfortable in their new environment by giving them a tour of the office (or virtual workspace). Cover essential areas such as break rooms, toilets, meeting spaces, emergency exits, and any must-know locations like supply closets or coffee stations.

If remote, provide a virtual walkthrough of important digital tools and communication channels.

Building Connections

Encourage Team Integration

New employees should feel like part of the team from day one. Organizing informal meetups, such as welcome lunches or coffee chats, fosters relationship-building in a relaxed environment—free from the pressures of trying to connect between tasks at their desk. If onboarding multiple employees, icebreaker activities can also help ease first-day nerves and create a supportive atmosphere as they settle into the team.

Introduce the Team Thoughtfully

Instead of a brief “this is Hugh” introduction over a computer screen, set aside dedicated time for more meaningful introductions. Encourage team members to share their roles, responsibilities, and how they collaborate.

This helps new hires understand the company structure and workflow while making them feel valued and part of the team. A little extra time and attention here can go a long way in helping new employees feel connected.

Provide a Company Directory

In smaller companies, new hires will likely meet everyone within their first few weeks. But in larger organizations, this isn’t always the case. Make networking easier by providing a company directory that includes names, roles, and even fun facts about employees. This will help new hires put faces to names and give them a handy reference point when reaching out for support.

Setting Expectations & Supporting Growth

Set Realistic Goals

Establish achievable short-term goals tailored to the new hire’s experience level. This helps build confidence and ensures steady progress without overwhelming them. Also, consider discussing both short and long-term goals to align their aspirations with the role, providing a clear sense of direction.

Encourage Practical Application

Hands-on experience is one of the most effective ways to reinforce learning. Allow new employees to apply their training in real scenarios shortly after learning it. This helps them build both confidence and competence quickly. Research shows that knowledge retention can improve by as much as 70% with experiential learning, helping new hires feel more confident, faster.

Provide Timely Feedback

Feedback should be constructive and delivered early to prevent mistakes from becoming habits. A supportive approach, such as sharing personal experiences or offering alternative methods, encourages growth while maintaining confidence.

Schedule regular one-on-ones during their early days to ensure consistent feedback, transitioning into more formal reviews as they settle into the role.

Personalize Learning

Everyone learns differently. Offer a variety of training methods—such as online modules, hands-on exercises, and peer mentoring—to cater to different learning styles and keep the process engaging. Check-in with the new hire to understand their preferred learning style and tailor support accordingly to help them develop effectively.

By creating a well-structured, engaging onboarding experience, new hires will feel confident, supported, and ready to contribute from day one.

Training that Works: Modern Learning Approaches

Hands-on Learning & On-the-Job Training

Assign real tasks early to reinforce learning and help new hires gain immediate, practical experience. According to McCall, Lombardo, and Eichinger’s (1996) 70-20-10 model, 70% of learning comes from job-related experience. On-the-job training offers an excellent way to achieve this, allowing employees to make decisions, problem-solve, and apply skills in real scenarios.

While experiential learning is highly effective, some employees may feel overwhelmed by making mistakes in real-world settings. To address this, immersive training methods—such as VR—offer a safe environment to practice, with studies showing that VR-based learning can improve retention by 75% and a 40% increase in confidence when compared to traditional classroom methods.

Interactive & Immersive Training

Interactive training enhances traditional classroom-style methods by incorporating group activities, role-playing, quizzes, and discussions. This makes learning more engaging but can be challenging for quieter employees, who may experience anxiety and struggle with retention. To ensure inclusivity, it’s important to balance interactive elements with support, allowing all participants to contribute comfortably.

VR provides a powerful solution for immersive training, enabling employees to experience realistic scenarios—such as customer service interactions or safety drills—in a controlled environment. Research shows that employees typically forget 70% of what they learn through traditional training within a day and around 90% within a month.

In contrast, VR training can boost retention rates to as much as 80% even after a year. By allowing users to practice skills, make mistakes safely, and refine their approach without real-world consequences, VR is particularly effective for high-stakes tasks where errors could be costly.

At VirtualSpeech, we specialize in immersive soft skills training across VR, AR, and web-based platforms. Our award-winning solutions focus on communication skills such as public speaking, sales, and leadership. Trusted by universities and Fortune 500 companies worldwide – including RTC Antwerpen and Vodafone—VirtualSpeech has helped over 550,000 learners across 125+ countries develop their skills. 

Digital, Self-Paced & Experiential Training

Online training is a versatile and flexible approach that accommodates a variety of learning preferences. Offering online courses, gamified training, and AI-driven simulations allows employees to learn at their own pace, anytime and anywhere. Gamification enhances engagement by incorporating points, rewards, and a sense of achievement, making learning more interactive and motivating.

Blending digital training with microlearning (short, focused lessons) can further improve learning outcomes, especially for busy employees who need to fit training into their daily schedules. However, digital learning is most effective when paired with experiential training—a hands-on approach where employees actively apply what they’ve learned in real-world or simulated scenarios.

Experiential learning is based on the principle that people learn best by doing. Instead of passively absorbing information, employees engage in realistic, practical experiences that reinforce their skills. This method not only improves retention but also helps learners build confidence in applying their skills.

Research has further shown that practicing in VR can make employees up to 275% more confident in real-world situations, highlighting the power of immersive, experience-driven training.

Best Practices for Training Remote Employees

In today’s work environment, remote and hybrid setups have become the norm. However, while many organizations quickly adapted to these models, not all have updated their onboarding processes to match. Some employers hold concerns about remote work, including:

• Technical difficulties (unstable internet, software issues)
• Distractions at home
• Lack of face-to-face supervision
• Feelings of isolation

While these challenges can arise, they’re not exclusive to remote work—office-based employees can face similar issues. In fact, remote and hybrid employees generally report 20% higher overall happiness compared to their office-based counterparts, along with a potential 35-40% boost in productivity.

To set remote and hybrid employees up for success, structured and engaging onboarding is essential. It may even be more critical than in-office onboarding, as remote workers miss out on natural bonding moments—like casual coffee-break conversations—that help build strong team connections.

Choose the Right Delivery Method

Remote training can take different forms, and selecting the right approach is crucial:

Asynchronous Learning

This flexible approach allows employees to access training materials, complete assessments, and engage with content at their own pace. Progress is typically tracked through course completion scores or status updates within a set deadline.

Synchronous Learning

In this real-time format, all employees participate in training sessions simultaneously. Since these sessions happen at a fixed time, careful planning is required to ensure everyone can attend virtually.

Blended Learning

A customized training solution that combines elements of both synchronous and asynchronous learning, offering the structure of live sessions with the flexibility of self-paced content to suit your company’s needs.

Adult Learning Considerations

Unlike children, adults are not in a traditional school setting and require different motivations to learn. They learn best when training is relevant, practical, and respects their prior experience. Effective remote training should incorporate real-world applications, problem-solving exercises, and opportunities for self-directed learning.

Adults are more engaged when they see the immediate value of training and have control over their learning paths. Providing opportunities to apply new knowledge right away enhances retention and fosters long-term skill development.

Invest in the Right Tools & Resources

A successful remote training program requires a well-rounded set of tools to facilitate smooth execution, engagement, and progress tracking. Here’s a breakdown of the essential tools needed:

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

An LMS is essential for organizing, delivering, and tracking the progress of remote training. It serves as the central hub for all training content, enabling administrators to assign courses, track learner progress, and generate reports. With an LMS, you can easily ensure employees are meeting milestones and deadlines, providing them with resources, quizzes, and assessments. This tool helps keep learners engaged and allows for streamlined management of a remote training program.

Project Management & Communication Platforms

Platforms like Slack, Trello, or Asana are vital for fostering collaboration, tracking tasks, and keeping remote employees connected. These tools allow team members to communicate easily, share updates, and collaborate on projects, ensuring that remote workers are never isolated.

Additionally, using these platforms for task management ensures that training milestones and deadlines are met. Clear communication is key to maintaining a productive remote workforce, and these tools help bridge the gap created by the lack of physical presence.

Conferencing Software

Conferencing software such as Zoom or Webex plays a crucial role in live, synchronous training sessions. Whether it’s virtual workshops, webinars, or one-on-one coaching, these tools provide face-to-face interaction, which is vital for keeping remote employees engaged.

They allow trainers to present materials, answer questions in real-time, and encourage group discussions. Virtual meetings also allow employees to feel more connected to their team and the company culture, which is particularly important in remote or hybrid setups.

Each of these tools is critical for building a comprehensive remote training program that is engaging, interactive, and effective. By using the right combination of resources, employers can ensure that their remote employees have the support they need to succeed.

Set Clear Expectations

Clear expectations are the foundation of any successful remote training program. By setting defined goals and ensuring all participants understand what is expected of them, you help employees stay focused and motivated throughout their learning journey. Here’s how to set those expectations effectively:

Define Training Goals and Learning Outcomes Upfront

It’s essential to clarify the objectives of the training program right from the start. Clearly defined goals help employees understand why they are engaging in the training, what they should expect to achieve, and how their success will be measured. Outline both the short-term and long-term learning outcomes, ensuring employees know what skills they will acquire and how those skills apply to their roles. These clear goals act as a roadmap, helping participants stay on track and motivated throughout the process.

Prepare Materials, Checklists, and Assessments in Advance

To make the training process as smooth as possible, it’s vital to prepare all materials, checklists, and assessments before the training begins. Having everything ready to go ensures there are no delays or confusion when it’s time to start. Organize the training modules, presentations, reading materials, and any supplementary resources in an accessible format.

If assessments or quizzes are included, ensure they are aligned with the learning objectives. Checklists also help guide employees through each phase of the training, so they know what they need to do and when, and give them a sense of progression as they tick elements off.

Ensure IT Support is Available to Troubleshoot Technical Issues

Remote training is dependent on technology, and technical issues can disrupt the learning process. To minimize disruptions, it’s crucial to have reliable IT support available to troubleshoot any problems that arise. A quick resolution of technical difficulties prevents frustration and ensures the training session runs smoothly. Consider providing clear instructions for troubleshooting common issues and offering an easily accessible helpdesk or support team.

Conduct an Orientation

Before diving into formal training, it’s important to set the stage by conducting an orientation. This allows employees to familiarize themselves with the tools and platform they’ll be using, understand the expectations for participation, and provide the opportunity to ask any immediate questions before starting the training. A well-structured orientation ensures a smoother and more productive training experience. Here’s how to conduct an effective orientation:

Introduce Employees to the Platform and Software

Training platforms and software are essential for remote learning, but they can be daunting if employees aren’t familiar with them. Before the formal training starts, take time to walk employees through the platform or software they’ll be using. Show them where to find course materials, how to navigate the system, and how to access important resources.

Demonstrating features like how to submit assignments, participate in discussions, or view video tutorials—ensures that employees feel comfortable using the tools, reducing potential frustration later on. If possible, provide resources like user guides or tutorial videos for further reference.

Clarify Training Expectations and Communication Guidelines

Make sure employees understand how the training will be conducted, including the schedule, expectations, and modes of communication. For example, if there are specific times for group activities, lectures, or discussions, let employees know in advance.

This will help them manage their time and stay organized. Additionally, clarify how communication will be handled during the training. Encourage open lines of communication and let employees know how to ask questions or express concerns.

Establish Ground Rules for Participation

To maintain order and ensure an engaging environment during remote training, it’s crucial to establish ground rules early on. Some guidelines might include:

• Mute microphones when not speaking
  This helps prevent background noise and distractions, especially in larger group sessions.
• Use the “raise hand” feature for questions
  Encouraging employees to use this feature in virtual meetings helps manage the flow of conversation and ensures everyone has a chance to ask questions without interrupting.
• Engage in discussions via chat or breakout rooms
  Promote active participation by using chat for quick comments or questions and breakout rooms for smaller group discussions. This ensures employees are not passive listeners but active contributors in the learning process.

By conducting a comprehensive orientation, employees will feel more confident navigating the training environment, and they will understand how to engage effectively with the content and other participants. This upfront preparation creates a foundation for a successful training experience.

Boost Engagement with Gamification & Collaboration

To keep remote employees motivated and engaged, training should be interactive, rewarding, and social. Incorporating gamification and collaborative learning can significantly enhance participation, retention, and overall training effectiveness.

Gamification elements—such as leaderboards, challenges, and point-based incentives—make learning more dynamic and enjoyable. Organizations that implement gamified training see a 50% increase in productivity and a 60% boost in engagement (Build Empire). Additionally, certificates of completion provide employees with tangible recognition of their progress, reinforcing motivation and a sense of achievement.

Collaboration is equally important. Encouraging group discussions, breakout rooms, and team-based challenges fosters peer learning, enabling employees to share insights and develop problem-solving skills together. This interactive approach not only improves knowledge retention but also helps remote employees feel more connected to their team.

Continuous Support & Growth

Effective training doesn’t end after onboarding—it’s an ongoing process that supports employee development, reinforces company culture, and fosters long-term success. By providing continuous support, organizations can ensure employees feel empowered, engaged, and prepared for future growth.

Feedback and Performance Check-ins

Regular feedback is essential for helping employees refine their skills and stay on track. Real-time feedback reinforces good habits, helps course-correct early mistakes, and ensures employees feel supported in their learning journey.

Adopting a coaching approach to feedback—where constructive criticism is framed positively—can boost confidence and motivation. Instead of focusing solely on what went wrong, highlight progress, offer actionable improvements, and encourage employees to take ownership of their development.

Adapting to Individual Learning Styles

Not all employees learn the same way. Some may grasp concepts best through visual aids, while others prefer hands-on tasks or structured reading materials. Recognizing these differences and tailoring training accordingly leads to better engagement and retention.

A blended learning approach, combining various training methods (such as interactive eLearning, instructor-led sessions, and experiential learning), allows employees to absorb information in the way that suits them best, ensuring more effective skill development.

Culture and Long-Term Development

Training isn’t just about job-specific skills—it’s also an opportunity to integrate employees into the company’s culture. Instead of presenting values through static slides, bring them to life through real-world examples that showcase how they influence decision-making, teamwork, and leadership.

Additionally, offering cross-training opportunities allows employees to explore different roles, build new competencies, and expand their career paths. Providing access to mentorship, stretch assignments, and continuous learning resources fosters a culture of growth and long-term success for both employees and the organization.

By prioritizing continuous support and development, companies can ensure their employees stay engaged, adaptable, and equipped for future challenges.

Conclusion: Building a Strong Foundation for Success

Effective onboarding is more than just a checklist—it’s the foundation for an employee’s long-term success within a company. A well-structured onboarding process ensures that remote and hybrid employees feel supported, engaged, and equipped to thrive in their roles.

By leveraging interactive training methods, clear expectations, cutting-edge technology, and ongoing support, organizations can create an onboarding experience that fosters confidence, collaboration, and productivity. When employees feel valued and prepared, they are more likely to stay motivated, contribute meaningfully, and grow within the company.

As the workplace continues to evolve, investing in a dynamic, engaging, and inclusive onboarding process will set businesses—and their employees—up for long-term success.

While much of the conversation around skills shortages focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the issue extends far beyond technical roles. The digital skills gap alone could cost 14 of the G20 countries $11.5 trillion in cumulative GDP growth.

However, the skills crisis isn’t just about technology. A report from McKinsey & Company found that 87% of employers worldwide either already face a skills gap or expect to in the near future. As industries evolve and job roles shift, businesses must take a proactive approach to workforce development—ensuring their employees have the skills needed to drive innovation, productivity, and long-term success.

Businesses that overlook this challenge risk productivity losses, increased hiring costs, and diminished innovation. To remain competitive, companies must invest in upskilling and reskilling programs that align with industry demands and support employees’ career aspirations. It is projected that by 2030, the skills gap will create a total loss of $8.5 trillion in the USA alone.

What is a Skills Gap?

The skills gap refers to the mismatch between the skills that employees possess and those required for business success. There are two main types of skills gaps:

• Technical skills gap (STEM, digital skills, industry-specific expertise)
• Soft skills gap (communication, leadership, adaptability, teamwork)

Research indicates that 87% of employers report experiencing or anticipating a skills gap in the near future. While technical expertise is essential, this has more specific challenges for specific industries and job sectors. Soft skills are important across all roles for fostering a competitive and innovative workforce. A shortfall in either area can lead to challenges in productivity, collaboration, and overall business growth.

Have Soft Skills been Undervalued?

Many companies are struggling to find workers with the technical skills they need. However, this focus on technical abilities may be hiding a more serious skills gap. A 2021 survey in the US found that 70% of the most demanded skills employers want most in job candidates are related to leadership and communication. It makes sense: even the most skilled technical employees must work well in teams, share information clearly, and stay adaptable and positive.

The shift to remote and hybrid work environments has elevated the importance of soft skills. Communication, time management, and teamwork now require more intentional effort, as employees navigate new ways of collaborating. As a result, companies must prioritize recruiting and developing talent that excels in these areas.

However, there’s a concerning gap in investment—only 39% of employees believe their employers actively support skill-building, a significant drop from 51% in 2023. This growing disconnect between what companies need and what employees receive highlights the urgent need for soft skills training. Without this investment, businesses risk falling behind in developing a workforce capable of adapting to the demands of the modern workplace.

Incorporating soft skills training into development programs can significantly improve team collaboration, fuel innovation, and elevate overall job satisfaction. Companies that make this commitment are setting themselves up for long-term success by ensuring their employees are equipped with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s dynamic work environment.

The Effects of Skills Gaps on Businesses

Whether it’s a soft skills gap or a technical skills gap, when a company faces one, it can lead to several significant issues:

1. Loss of Productivity: Teams find it hard to reach their goals efficiently because they lack the necessary skills.

2. Slowdown in Innovation: Without important skills among employees, businesses struggle to grow and adapt to new challenges.

3. Higher Hiring Costs: Companies end up spending more to hire new talent instead of focusing on training and developing their current workers.

4. Employee Disengagement: Many employees feel undervalued and see little opportunity for career advancement, which can lead to dissatisfaction at work.

At first, the signs of a skills gap may only affect one or two teams and might not be immediately noticeable. However, if ignored, the problem can quickly escalate and affect the entire organization. It is projected that the U.S. could lose up to $8.5 trillion by 2030 if these skills gaps are not addressed, emphasizing the urgency of finding effective solutions. Despite this scary figure for potential loss, it is reported 74% of workers want to learn new skills, but only 54% say they have enough opportunities to do so. This gap between what employees desire and what companies offer highlights the critical need for investing in skills training.

How to Identify a Skills Gap in Your Organization

Conducting a skills gap analysis provides valuable insights into your workforce, supports individual learning and development, and offers a strategic advantage in recruitment. Effective methods for performing a skills gap analysis include:

A. Performance Reviews and Feedback

• KPI Analysis: Measures performance against specific metrics to identify areas for improvement.
• 360-Degree Reviews: Collects feedback from managers, co-workers, and clients for a comprehensive view of an employee’s strengths and areas to develop.
• Employee Assessments: Direct evaluations of performance trends, expertise, and potential growth opportunities.
• Self-Assessments: Encourages employees to assess their own skills, which can provide valuable insights into their perceived strengths and weaknesses.

B. Observations and Benchmarking

• Management Observations: Gathers first-hand insights into employees’ work environments and performance.
• Performance Benchmarking: Compares the skills of top performers with industry standards and competitors to determine how your workforce measures up.
• Real-Life Scenario Testing: Uses simulated exercises to assess skill levels in practical situations, helping to identify where employees may struggle under pressure.
• Job Role Analysis: Examines job descriptions and current employee competencies to determine where skill mismatches exist, ensuring alignment between roles and the skills needed to succeed.

C. Surveys and Interviews

• Employee Surveys: Collect anonymous feedback on perceived skills gaps within teams, offering insight into both individual and collective learning needs.
• Manager Interviews: Engages managers in one-on-one discussions to identify any skills gaps they’ve noticed and their impact on team performance.

D. External Industry Research

• Industry Trend Analysis: Research emerging industry trends and future skill requirements to proactively address potential skills gaps.
• Competitor Analysis: Compares your organization’s skill levels against top competitors to ensure you’re not falling behind in critical areas.

Identifying and addressing these gaps is essential for organizations to stay competitive, adaptable, and capable of meeting future demands. The insights gained from a thorough skills gap analysis will help you tailor your training and recruitment strategies to ensure your workforce is equipped to tackle evolving business challenges.

Addressing the Skills Gap: Training & Development Strategies

A core value of modern business is the reliance on engaged and empowered employees. To effectively address skill gaps and create an efficient training strategy, the first step is to engage directly with your workforce. By gathering their input on skills development, you can craft personalized learning and development plans, that align with both their needs and the company’s goals. Employees are in the best position to identify the skills they need to perform better in their roles, while managers gain a broader understanding of their team’s overall capabilities and the skills required for success.

A. Identify Key Skills Needed for Workforce Development

As previously mentioned, while soft skills are essential for building strong relationships, improving teamwork, and enhancing overall productivity, they are often overlooked. These skills play a significant role in fostering a positive workplace culture and effective team dynamics. Key soft skills include:

• Communication: Enables clear and effective interactions within teams and across departments.
• Leadership: Guides teams and helps motivate employees toward shared goals.
• Problem-Solving: Critical for overcoming challenges and adapting to change.
• Emotional Intelligence: Promotes empathy and conflict resolution, which are crucial for effective teamwork.

Developing these skills is vital not only for individual growth but also for the long-term success of teams and the organization.

B. Investing in Leadership & Employee Development

Encouraging a culture of continuous learning is essential for fostering resilience and ensuring long-term business success. Strategies to invest in leadership and employee development include:

• Developing Leadership Skills: Strengthening leadership capabilities helps ensure teams are guided effectively and business goals are met.
• Encouraging Continuous Upskilling: Offering regular upskilling opportunities ensures employees remain adaptable and equipped to meet evolving challenges.

Investing in these areas strengthens the entire workforce and helps the organization remain competitive.

C. Personalized Learning & Upskilling Programs

A personalized approach to training can more effectively address skills gaps by catering to individual needs. Some effective methods include:

• Leveraging VR and AI-powered Training: Immersive, hands-on training helps employees develop both technical and soft skills in an engaging way.
• Microlearning Modules: Short, focused lessons that allow employees to learn at their own pace, integrating learning into their workday.
• Mentorship Programs: Pairing employees with experienced mentors to provide personalized guidance and support.

Personalized learning ensures that employees are continually developing the specific skills they need to excel in their roles.

D. Building a Positive Learning Culture

A strong learning culture is critical to keeping employees engaged and motivated to continue their development. Key elements of a learning culture include:

• Fostering Personal Growth: Offering growth opportunities that align with employees’ career goals, increasing engagement and satisfaction.
• Ongoing Development: Continuous training ensures that employees remain equipped to handle new challenges and stay relevant in their field.

A positive learning culture boosts morale and leads to a more productive, engaged workforce.

E. Creating Effective Training Strategies

To build an effective soft skills training strategy, it’s essential to first engage with employees and gather feedback on the skills they feel they need to develop. From there, consider the following steps:

• Conduct a Training Needs Analysis: Use feedback from employees and managers to identify key skills gaps and prioritize training efforts.
• Create Personalized Development Plans: Tailor learning paths that address both technical and soft skills, ensuring well-rounded employee growth.

Finally, every training program should include measurable checkpoints to track progress. High-quality online soft skills training courses enable employees to learn at their own pace, while managers can monitor progress and adjust learning plans as needed.

Filling Skill Gaps with Loyal, Motivated Employees

Employee retention is closely tied to how valued employees feel in the workplace. A lack of recognition and limited growth opportunities are two of the primary reasons people seek new jobs. If your training strategy focuses solely on technical or task-specific skills, you might overlook some of the deeper issues that contribute to turnover.

Employees want opportunities for personal development and to feel that their employer values them beyond their output alone. They also want to be truly “heard” and understood – which is only possible if strong communication is encouraged and practiced across your organization.

So, how can you reduce staff turnover and prevent further skills gaps if you’re not investing in a positive corporate culture driven by leadership who understand the importance of these soft skills? The more you invest in developing communication, emotional intelligence, and collaboration, the more engaged and motivated your employees will be.

Ultimately, one of the greatest benefits of focusing on soft skills development is that it signals to your team that you value them as individuals—not just for their technical expertise, but for their contributions as a whole.

Measuring Success: How to Track Progress

Monitoring the success of skills development initiatives is essential to ensure they are effective and deliver a strong return on investment. Here are some key strategies:

• Set Clear Learning Objectives and KPIs: Define what success looks like by establishing specific learning goals and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Utilize Feedback Loops: Gather insights through employee surveys, one-on-one reviews, and skill assessments to evaluate progress.
• Leverage Digital Learning Platforms: Use analytics to track engagement, completion rates, and skill improvements through online learning tools.
• Monitor Performance Impact: Assess how skills development affects job efficiency, collaboration, and innovation within your team.
• Benchmark Against Industry Standards: Compare your workforce’s skills with industry benchmarks to ensure competitiveness and alignment with market demands.

By continuously measuring and refining training programs, businesses can optimize their learning strategies and maximize their workforce’s potential.

The Potential of Immersive Learning for Skills Development

Immersive learning, powered by Virtual Reality (VR) and AI-driven simulations, is revolutionizing skills development by offering realistic, hands-on training experiences. Unlike traditional learning methods, immersive environments allow employees to practice and refine both technical and soft skills in a risk-free setting. This approach not only accelerates learning but also boosts confidence and adaptability.

The Broader Benefits of Immersive Learning

Beyond return on investment (ROI), immersive learning provides a range of benefits that enhance both individual and organizational growth:

• Greater Engagement & Retention – Learning by doing strengthens knowledge retention and improves skill application in real-world scenarios, aligning with Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory.
• Scalability & Flexibility – Training can be deployed across global teams, ensuring consistency while allowing employees to learn at their own pace, regardless of location.
• Data-Driven Personalization – AI-driven insights enable tailored learning paths, addressing individual strengths and weaknesses more effectively than traditional training.
• Safe & Cost-Effective Training – Employees can gain hands-on experience without real-world risks, reducing costly mistakes and minimizing disruptions to operations. 39% of employees feel that their employer does not invest in building the skills necessary for career advancement. Immersive training helps fill this gap, offering accessible and cost-effective options.
• Trackable ROI – With immersive learning, companies can track measurable progress via data analytics, providing clear evidence of employee growth and the return on investment in skills development.

By integrating immersive learning into their training strategies, companies can future-proof their workforce, enhance long-term productivity, and create a more adaptable, high-performing team.

VirtualSpeech: Bridging Skill Gaps with Innovative VR and AI Training

As skill gaps continue to challenge organizations, VirtualSpeech offers a forward-thinking solution that combines immersive Virtual Reality (VR) and AI-driven technology to deliver effective, scalable training. Whether addressing technical skills or vital soft skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork, VirtualSpeech creates realistic, hands-on experiences that allow employees to practice and improve in a safe, repeatable environment.

By simulating real-world scenarios such as public speaking, job interviews, and workplace presentations, VirtualSpeech ensures that learners are not just absorbing information, but actively applying it in situations they’ll face in their careers. This immersive approach significantly boosts engagement and retention, allowing for better skill development and long-lasting impact.

Key Benefits of VirtualSpeech for Addressing Skill Gaps:

• Engagement and Retention – Learners remember and apply what they’ve experienced in immersive, interactive settings. VirtualSpeech’s VR scenarios make skill-building both impactful and memorable. PWC reported that 40% of the v-learners saw an improvement in confidence compared to classroom learners and 35% improvement over e-learners to act on what they learned after training in VR.
• Real-Time Feedback and Personalized Learning – Powered by AI, VirtualSpeech offers tailored feedback and real-time performance analysis, giving employees personalized insights to target areas for improvement and development. VirtualSpeech also offers their Roleplay Studio, a no-code, simple to use solution for organizations to create tailored roleplay simulations for their specific business needs.
• Cost-Effective and Scalable – VirtualSpeech eliminates the constraints of traditional training by providing high-quality, scalable learning that’s accessible to global teams. This approach is not only cost-effective but also allows companies to train a large number of employees efficiently without compromising on quality. While initial investments in equipment, such as headsets, may seem costly, the long-term savings are significant—reducing expenses like travel and eliminating the need for external trainers.
  
  Additionally, did you know that VirtualSpeech offers browser-based roleplays too? This makes it even easier to access training from anywhere, further enhancing the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of the solution.
  
• Trackable Progress and ROI – VirtualSpeech’s built-in analytics provide clear, data-driven insights on employee progress, making it easy to measure the effectiveness of training programs and demonstrate ROI through tangible results.

By incorporating VirtualSpeech into their training strategy, companies can future-proof their workforce, improve skill competencies, and foster a culture of continuous learning. Whether addressing skill gaps in public speaking, leadership, or interpersonal communication, VirtualSpeech empowers employees to grow and thrive in their roles, creating more confident and capable teams that are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow.

Conclusion: Gaining a Competitive Edge by Closing Skills Gaps

To stay ahead in today’s competitive landscape, companies need a workforce that is both technically proficient and emotionally intelligent. By investing in upskilling—across both hard and soft skills—organizations not only boost employee retention but also enhance overall productivity and foster innovation.

VirtualSpeech provides an innovative solution to close these skill gaps, offering immersive training experiences that help employees develop critical communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills. Organizations that proactively address skill gaps with tools like VirtualSpeech are better positioned for sustained success, ensuring their workforce is ready for both current and future challenges. Closing these gaps is not just a short-term fix; it’s a strategic move that strengthens your business for the future.

The New Era of Adult Learning

We live in a world where technology constantly reshapes how we live, work, and communicate—yet, educational methods, particularly for adults, often lag behind. Although Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) like Coursera and Udemy provide accessible learning, they fall short in offering real-world application and retention.

VR and MR provide users with active learning experiences, where they can practice new skills in safe, risk-free environments that mirror real-life scenarios. Let’s explore how VR, along with Augmented Reality (AR) and AI, is creating an evolution in adult learning.

Key Learning Technologies Shaping Adult Education

While VR plays a central role, other emerging technologies contribute to a holistic learning experience:

• Virtual Reality (VR): Provides a fully immersive, practice-based environment ideal for experiential learning. VR enables learners to interact with scenarios as if they were real, promoting deeper engagement and retention.
• Augmented Reality (AR): Overlays digital elements onto the real world, making it excellent for real-time learning that integrates seamlessly with daily life.
• Generative AI: Acts as a creative and analytical support tool, assisting in content creation and customization. AI helps personalize learning paths, enhancing user engagement.

Why VR Transforms Learning

VR offers a range of unique benefits that revolutionize learning for adults:

• Active Learning: VR allows learners to “experience” rather than passively consume content, boosting retention rates by 75-90%.
• Safe Practice Space: Learners can practice high-stakes skills—like public speaking, negotiation, and crisis management—without real-world consequences.
• Confidence Building: VR enables users to learn at their own pace, repeating challenging scenarios until they gain confidence.

Blending MOOCs and VR: The Ideal Learning Combination

While MOOCs provide valuable knowledge, VR complements them by enabling learners to apply this knowledge in realistic settings. Imagine taking an online public speaking course and then practicing in a VR auditorium where you can experience distractions, adjust your body language, and receive real-time feedback.

The ability to practice in VR makes it unique – imagine being able to make mistakes, learn from them, and try again, without any real-world consequences.

This is especially useful for soft skills such as:

• Presentation skills
• Job interview practice
• Sales pitching
• Interacting with the media
• Crisis communications
• Difficult conversation training

VirtualSpeech provides online courses combined with interactive practice exercises and feedback within their VR app, so that students have the most thorough, accessible learning experience possible.

Accessible tools

Each year, VR headsets become more accessible, with reduced cost and improved functionality. You can now buy a high-quality headset for around $300 (here’s our list of recommended VR headsets).

Discover how the VirtualSpeech platform can help you reach your professional development goals up to 4x faster.

Learn with online classes, practice in VR

We believe VR is the most effective, safe, and affordable way to combine experiential learning with traditional online learning. They form the perfect partnership because many people don’t want to be in the virtual world for long periods of time, and it can be difficult to read text within a VR headset.

That’s why a combination of online tutorials and virtual reality works so well. You can spend 40% of your time learning soft skills with online classes, then 60% practicing what you have learn.

Technical vs. soft skills courses

Technical skills courses

There are plenty of amazing resources for learning technical skills online. What’s great with many of them is that you can practice what you’ve learnt through exercises and projects as a more practical way of learning.

Sites like Codecademy give you a brief description of a topic and let you reinforce your learning by writing code related to that topic. Thus, you’re effectively learning on the job and more likely to retain the information.

Codecademy lets you learn through practice by coding different projects in the web browser.

Soft skill courses

Business skills such as sales, negotiation, and communication are much harder to improve through practice. You might have to attend an expensive in-person workshop to practice these skills or learn while you’re at work, no doubt making costly mistakes along the way

Traditional business online courses include tutorial videos, articles, and quizzes. However, without practicing what you’ve learnt, you’ll have forgotten over 95% of this material after 30 days.

Example: Public Speaking hybrid course

Our public speaking course was designed using years of learning from our VR application. We’ve covered all the essential areas of public speaking (with online tutorial videos, case studies, and articles) – after learning the fundamentals, participants can practice these topics in virtual reality.

For example, you’ll learn how to cope with common distractions, such as mobile phones ringing, bright stage lighting, and audio feedback through our training videos. Then you’ll put on a VR headset and practice what you’ve been taught while giving a speech in a virtual conference room.

The content is split between traditional videos, quizzes, etc, and VR practice:

Traditional learning (online classes)

• Tutorial videos
• Articles
• Quizzes
• Case studies
• Role play exercises

VR practice

For the public speaking course, we focused on several key VR scenarios to enhance the online classes:

• Eye contact training and connecting with the audience
• Sound and visual distractions training
• Impromptu speeches and thinking on the spot
• Answering audience questions
• Feedback and coaching on your performance

Future of adult learning

As VR and other immersive technologies evolve, they hold the potential to reshape education on a large scale. Imagine a world where prestigious courses and hands-on training are available virtually to anyone, anywhere.

VirtualSpeech is committed to leading this change, harnessing VR’s transformative power to create accessible, effective, and engaging learning experiences that support learners’ professional and personal growth.

Tech giants like Apple are finally entering the fray, global companies like Accenture are buying Meta headsets in the tens of thousands for their teams to use, while public services such as healthcare and Police forces worldwide are beginning to adopt the technology. Companies right across the spectrum are now exploring VR as a supplementary tool for corporate training.

For those new to the concept of Virtual Reality, it uses 3D-generated images to immerse a user into a simulated environment so that they feel like they are actually there.

The argument for VR in corporate training is simple – it can increase engagement and knowledge retention levels, and employees can be trained in safer, more cost-efficient, and repeatable ways.

VR enables employees to learn through practical experience. Experiential learning has long been argued as the most effective way to learn and studies have shown that learning through experience increases the quality of learning, and retention by 75-90%.

Benefits of VR in corporate training include higher engagement and retention levels, experiential learning, safer for high-risk situations, and reduced spending on training and travel.

So, how is virtual reality being used in corporate training?

Improving business and soft skills

Business skills are not alone in that they require consistent practice to master them, and many of us probably don’t take adequate time to do so. VR provides employees with a safe space to practice these skills and learn from their experiences.

Skills such as public speaking, sales, negotiation, and networking are often considered vital to many aspects of our working lives, but rarely taught at school so are not embedded in our minds in the same way that remembering facts and figures for a test are. Yet it’s these enterprise skills that keep businesses running and are consistently seen as vital requirements in new candidates and employees.

VR training enables companies to fill these skills gaps and instill transferable, enterprise skills within their employees.

VirtualSpeech specializes in this soft skills training, integrating traditional online classes with VR. The VR element allows employees to practice what they’ve learned in the courses in realistic simulations such as networking events, dealing with the media, and speaking in meetings and conferences.

• See the catalog of VR soft skills courses

VirtualSpeech helps employees improve communication and business skills in realistic environments.

Users can upload their own notes and slides, record speeches, watch their presentations back and receive instant feedback on their eye contact, use of filler words, pitch, pace, and more (see the full list of features).

They can also roleplay with AI-enabled avatars across Q&A sessions, as well as debates, interviews, performance reviews, sales meetings and more.

They can then practice further to improve their scores and feedback, even when working remotely. Managers also have the option to view their employees’ progress to identify strengths and any areas for improvement, or even organize live, multiplayer practice sessions within VR to share progress and feedback.

Diversity, inclusion, and harassment training

Diversity and inclusion training has remained a firm focus area for many companies over the last couple of years. Traditional training in this area has some challenges; it is often reactionary and lacks impact, and is implemented as a box-tick exercise.

For a subject that focuses on empathy, VR offers the opportunity for employees to literally step into another’s point of view, and be fully immersed in complex issues and scenarios that may be difficult to imagine.

One company using such a virtual simulation for corporate training is Mursion. They built a virtual tool in partnership with the College of William and Mary to reduce unconscious bias and improve communication between employees when confronted with discrimination.

Vantage Point is another company focused on sexual harassment training. Their training takes into account hard-to-detect nuances of common sexual harassment situations and teaches techniques such as bystander intervention, identification of sexual harassment, and on-response training.

Customer experience

Retail stores are also starting to use VR training to improve the customer experience. For example, Walmart have a long-standing relationship with STRIVR (previously known for training NFL athletes in VR) to create customer team training as well as a ‘Black Friday’ simulator to train and prepare employees for the holiday rush.

Hospitality can benefit too. McDonald’s worked with Tantrum Labs to implement hospitality training, helping their employees to work through various scenarios with multiple choice options to help practice for customer complaints and conflict without real-life impacts.

STRIVR training a Walmart employee in a VR simulation.

For an in-depth look at how VR will enhance soft skills training, read our white paper:

• White Paper: VR for Soft Skills Training

Reducing risk in high-stake situations

The safety of the virtual world is not just good for interpersonal skills – it is the ideal training method for dangerous or high-stake situations. Before VR, employees would have to imagine a high-risk scenario and visualize how they would cope with it.

VR removes the need to imagine a difficult situation and instead replaces it with a realistic simulation. It provides an effective learning experience by training people in the most realistic way possible, without the situation actually happening in real life.

For example, Norcat worked with the mining company Vale to realistically recreate replicas of real-world mines and machinery for vital safety training without having to take all important equipment out of use.

Employees are able to learn from mistakes in the virtual world and become ultimately familiar with everything about their machinery and the real-world location, before ever setting foot on site.

Elsewhere, BP partnered with Igloo Vision to train their employees in start-up and emergency exit procedures at their oil refinery in Hull, England.

Employees were able to learn from mistakes in the virtual world and thus reduce the probability of making the same error in the real-world – an error that could ultimately cost someone’s life.

Chemical engineers training inside an Igloo Vision dome.

Doctors and surgery

VR can also be used to lower risk in life-threatening situations in medical procedures. Surgeons in Rio de Janeiro, guided by teams at Great Ormond Street Hospital were recently able to practice and experiment with VR technology to prepare for a first of its kind procedure to separate conjoined twins.

Surgeons spoke of the benefits of being able to “see the anatomy and do the surgery before you actually put the children at any risk”.

The benefit of using VR for corporate training in this situation, is that it is safe to make mistakes and learn from them – a doctor’s performance is monitored and measured to assess where adjustments could be made in real life.

Of course, the time pressure is lower in a controlled training environment so doctors can consider their options more thoroughly in VR training than if they were training on the job.

This would allow them to make more informed decisions, at a quicker rate, for more patients, when faced with the situation in reality. Ultimately, effective VR training could save lives.

Osso VR surgical training platform.

An example of VR being used successfully in this sector is when the Johnson & Johnson Institute began looking to improve medical training for surgeons. They worked with Osso VR to develop immersive training for doctors to perform operations. The results saw a 230% increase in surgical performance.

VR training works on the premise of mistake-driven learning, allowing doctors to learn the best solution in a risk-free environment. The cost of making a mistake in the virtual world is nothing compared to the cost of human error in reality.

Training and preparing military personnel

The military has been using VR for years as a supplementary method of training. Military training includes flight simulations for pilots, battlefield simulations for on-ground soldiers, and response to battlefield injuries for medical personnel.

VR training is used as part of boot camp exercises (alongside traditional military training). VR has the unique ability to make the soldiers feel like they are actually on the battlefield and they can put their skills to the test, and build on them in a safe environment.

Teamwork, communication and the speed of reactions are all important factors in training an elite force, and can all be practiced and improved upon by using VR training.

The Virtual Squad Training System (VSTS) at Schofield Barracks in Hawaii use wireless VR training environments as part of their military training. Trainee soldiers are given a head-mounted display, motion trackers, and wireless weapon controllers that accurately reflect the size, weight and shape of real military weapons such as the M4 and M165.

They are then immersed in a combat simulator and can learn by practical experience, without putting themselves or each other in potentially fatal situations.

Virtual Squad Training System being used as part of their military training.

Given the nature of their jobs, soldiers must be able to adapt themselves to unpredictable and complex situations. VR simulations are a powerful tool for replicating these situations and ensuring soldiers are more prepared for a variety of combat situations.

Workforce productivity

Apple’s Vision Pro headset focused heavily on use by workers, providing a seamless tool to communicate with colleagues, infinitely expand your desktop space, and engage with your work materials. There were some fantastic features announced and it looks like Apple are confident this will change the workplace.

In previous, existing examples, DHL Express wanted to increase the skills and knowledge of people within their organization. Working with Immerse, they built a VR training platform to promote the principles of safe, efficient unit load device (ULD) stacking.

The new method was tested at 12 locations around the world and found 99% of participants felt it helped them work better and more efficiently.

Working with Gravity Sketch, Ford has been using VR to produce car mockups with impressive results. Being able to start in 3D and stay in 3D has improved productivity and transformed designer workflow. VR and Gravity Sketch allow designers to create a 3D sketch straight from their imagination.

Designing a car with Gravity Sketch.

Recruiting and onboarding

VR training can also be used to improve the recruitment and onboarding process within a company. Using an interview simulator, HR professionals and managers can practice asking interview questions to potential candidates and learn the questions typically asked, skills to look for, and warning signs about a potential employee.

This type of corporate training also extends to existing employees, who can receive virtual in-house training for internal promotions within a company.

The VirtualSpeech Generative-AI powered avatars can help simulate interviews from both sides of the conversation, taking on the role of an interviewer or candidate, and offering real time feedback on the context and quality of a learners questioning or answers.

Once a candidate has accepted a job offer, the next step is the onboarding process. Onboarding is the first experience of training an employee receives and it can give them a good idea of the training they can expect as they progress with the company.

A company without an effective onboarding process is more likely to have lower employee retention levels and productivity. VR can vastly improve this process and make it more efficient and enjoyable.

New employees can be given an introduction to the company, a tour of the building, view multiple business locations, meet their manager, and much more – all in the comfort of their own home, before they’ve even stepped foot in the office.

VirtualSpeech roleplay simulator with AI. Interview practice in VR can be extended to train HR professionals and managers.

Onboarding in VR can allow employees to experience the company culture and daily life in their role before their first day, making them feel more confident when they do start.

Virtual training can also set a universal standard for onboarding for MNCs with multiple locations around the world. If every location followed the same structure for virtual onboarding, retention and productivity of employees would increase, while costs would decrease with a standardized process.

Barriers to the adoption of VR training

Despite the benefits of using VR for corporate training, there are barriers to adoption that are holding companies back. The short-term cost of implementing VR training can be higher than traditional methods because of the initial investment of purchasing the VR headsets.

However, newer headsets like the Meta Quest 3, Quest 3S, and Pico 4 standalone devices have made VR more accessible and cost-effective for businesses. The Meta Quest 3S, in particular, is more affordable than many other options while still offering excellent performance, making it a strong choice for companies that need to balance cost and functionality.

While Apple’s Vision Pro is almost 10x the price of these headsets, there is precedent for companies to invest that much in a quality product, with Varjo 8k mixed reality headsets costing thousands of dollars but offering unique opportunities for environments like Engineering and Design.

• Learn more about the Advantages of Meta Quest / Pro for Corporate Training.

It’s not just the purchasing of hardware that needs to be considered when balancing the budget. Initially integrating VR training with existing LMS and customizing the training for your particular brand can both add to the cost of uptake. With such a new, evolving technology, the risk of ensuring ROI is higher than for traditional training methods.

3D Repo is working with companies such as Balfour Beatty and Highways England to deploy a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation for health and safety training.

The Pico 4 headset was announced in 2022, with an Enterprise model available that includes eye and face-tracking technology.

Of course, the main reason for introducing VR training is to benefit employees but there is a risk of backlash or resistance.

There may be a small percentage of people who don’t want to use VR – they may simply not want the headset on their face, they may be averse to new technology, or have had a bad experience with motion sickness in the early days of VR, which has put them off trying it again. (In our experience, less than 1% have this problem in reality.)

Hygiene is also a factor to consider, especially as companies return to group work and training following the pandemic, with shared devices needing to be cleaned or sterilized between use which can add extra process, cost or uncertainty.

• How to Clean your VR Headset and Hand Controllers

That being said, as the barriers to entry decrease and more companies introduce VR to their training catalog, all while reporting positive results, the perceived risk will lower for more cautious managers, and we’ll likely see VR training as standard.

As millennials make up an increasing proportion of the workforce and Gen Z start to enter it, companies will have to adapt to their behaviors, working styles, and preferred methods of training – which are likely to be technology-focused and geographically dispersed.

The future of VR in corporate training

Companies are already implementing VR as a tool for corporate training. From public speaking to medical procedures, to training for dangerous situations, VR provides a realistic, safe training environment for employees.

Despite the initial set-up cost, managers are realizing the long-term reduction in cost and the ROI in terms of engagement, safety, and retention of training in VR. As the VR industry develops and more becomes possible in a virtual setting, training in VR will become commonplace.

Corporate training will be an important step into mass consumer adoption of virtual reality, as more people realize it’s beneficial to so much more than gaming.

1. Verizon & STRIVR: Customer service training

Immersive learning allows employees to practise dealing with difficult customers and challenging situations in a safe environment, where they can build up their skills and confidence.

The American telecommunications company, Verizon, decided to use VR training to better prepare and train their call-center employees, where handling difficult customers is a routine occurrence.

Learning aims and objectives

The aim of the virtual training was to upskill customer service staff to be empathetic towards their customers and develop a better understanding of their needs; coaching employees to consistently deliver excellent customer service.

Within the VR environment, trainees have the sensation of feeling and thinking like another person. This allows them to interact and have similar emotional responses to those their customers would experience in conversations.

By going through this process, the employee can better understand why the customer is upset, the causes of their frustration, how to de-escalate tense situations and build empathy rather than resentment.

Insights from the training

From research and experience, it was concluded that verbal fluency is a key predictor for a person’s capacity to manage a difficult situation. Therefore, during the VR training, verbal fluency was analysed to measure trainees´ comfort and confidence levels as they practised de-escalating conversations with unhappy customers in the virtual environment.

Results

The group practiced 3 times in VR, and by the end of the training, the employees:

• Had significantly improved their levels of calmness during difficult conversations
• Verbal fluency improved considerably
• Were more confident, sure of themselves, and relaxed
• All of these are key components for customer satisfaction and de-escalation of difficult conversations.

Learn more: VR Customer Service Training

2. GE Healthcare & Immerse: Transforming radiography training

Background

In the past, radiographers have had to use an actual CT scanner to practise their skills. This was incredibly challenging due to the cost and scarcity of the scanners.

This was the driver for GE Healthcare exploring the use of VR to train their radiographers. The aim was to increase the availability of training to more radiographers across different procedures.

“VR training adds great value because of being able to experience a CCTA set up without holding up the room or patient list” – Senior radiographer, GE Healthcare.

What happened

A new VR experience was created that closely simulated the hundreds of steps that radiologists need to take during real-life procedures, when operating the CT machines.

Computer-based software simulations were included and at the same time the system allowed trainees to make mistakes in a safe environment.

A senior CTCA-accredited radiographer described feeling “right at home” after spending an hour in the simulation.

Outcomes

• Quicker and more frequent radiology training
• Increases the time that actual CT scanners are operational, as they are not being used for training
• During VR training, trainees make decisions and calculations, based on real scans
• Real-time data from training to provide feedback and review
• Easily scalable as all the VR training is accessible online

Learn more: GE Healthcare: Transforming radiography with VR training

3. Vodafone & VirtualSpeech: Improving presentation skills

Vodafone is a global leader in technology communications through mobile, broadband and TV. The key goal for the team at VirtualSpeech was to recreate the Vodafone UK Pavilion in VR and provide additional VR training scenarios, so that employees could practice their presentation skills in the safety of the virtual world, before delivering presentations in real life.

In VR, employees can practice in various virtual environments, upload their presentation slides, receive AI-powered feedback, as well as track progress within the VR app. Managers can also track learner completion and progress, and more easily measure ROI.

Benefits of the VR training experience

Employees have the opportunity for on-demand, realistic practice in the Vodafone Pavilion before delivering a presentation in the Pavilion in front of a real audience

Learners receive feedback on their performance, which they can instantly use to improve, tracking their performance each time they practice

Employees can practice a range of other presentation and soft skills in the additional VirtualSpeech VR scenarios provided, such as a meeting room, sales pitch, and press conference

Performance analytics and feedback data provided within the app ensures employees know which areas they need to work on, and managers or admins can view learner’s areas of strength and improvements as well

Result highlights

• Built a customised virtual environment ready for deployment in 4 weeks
• 91% of learners would like to see more VR training at Vodafone
• 93% of employees would recommend VirtualSpeech to a colleague

Learn more: Building the Vodafone Pavilion in VR for employees to practice presentation skills

4. Johnson & Johnson Institute & Osso VR: Enhancing surgical training

Embracing state-of-the-art medical technology

The way that surgeons train has not altered a great deal in the last century. Technology may have improved considerably, but surgeons do not typically have the time to learn and upskill. This is particularly the case as mastering the competences to carry out a new procedure necessitates a high amount of repetition. Also, aside from the question of time required for training, the long-established methods for training do not accurately measure the surgeons’ progress.

Given this context, it is no surprise that VR has become part of the modern surgical training experience. The first step took place in 2017 when Johnson & Johnson created VR simulations to train surgeons how to implant orthopedic devices. This type of training was then developed and expanded by Osso VR.

The scalability allows them to easily deploy hundreds or thousands of VR headsets for training

The beauty of training surgeons in VR is that they can learn all the steps in the procedures in a lifelike setting without any risk to patients. This greatly contributes to error reduction and increased efficiency in the real world

Throughout the Covid-19 crisis there has been an increase in requests from medical centres who wish to keep up training even if many surgeries have been cancelled. “Medical centers do not want to reach a situation of shortage of trained surgeons, so this becomes an emergency,” says Mauri.

Results

• Students trained with OSSO VR obtained a score 233% greater than those who used passive learning tools
• Students who used OSSO VR completed 252% more steps than students trained with passive tools

Learn more: Driving greater adoption of cutting-edge medical technology

5. Bank of America: Transforming employee onboarding and training with VR

Bank of America, one of the world’s leading financial institutions, uses virtual reality (VR) training to significantly enhance employee development. The bank’s training division, The Academy, has embraced immersive VR technology to make learning more engaging and effective. With VR, employees experience more interactive, memorable learning that boosts both their confidence and retention.

One key example is the onboarding of 2,000 new hires, which took place in a custom-designed VR metaverse. New employees explored a virtual Bank of America world, interacting with real employees’ avatars and experiencing various immersive environments, such as a company history museum and a benefits-themed tropical resort. This approach made onboarding a unique and unforgettable experience for participants.

Additionally, Bank of America has introduced “iCoach,” an AI-powered VR tool for role-playing conversations. This allows associates to safely practice difficult interactions—such as managing challenging clients or giving feedback to colleagues—without the variability or pressure often present in human-to-human role-play scenarios. iCoach provides consistent, unbiased feedback and helps employees build communication skills in a private, low-stress setting.

Results

• 97% of employees feel confident applying what they learned in VR.
• Employees show a higher level of engagement and enjoyment with training, often discussing it outside of work.
• Bank of America is scaling its VR program to reach its entire 200,000-person workforce, creating powerful outcomes in both learning and business impact.

Learn more: Transforming training with VR at Bank of America.

6. Intel & HTC Vive: Reducing electrical accidents

Intel created a virtual Electrical Safety Recertification course, which is estimated to have a 300% ROI over five years.

Intel saw the benefits of investing in VR specifically around the reduction of total cost of ownership, more effective training, staff motivation and retention. Alongside this, they identified the ability to create immersive training environments where colleagues can learn by doing in a low risk setting.

The Electrical Safety Recertification course that Intel developed in VR presented trainees with cutting-edge VR content, clear learning outcomes, risk management scenarios, and controlled 360 feedback.

Outcomes and benefits

• Intel improved their training offer by using VR and recorded a 5-Year ROI of 300%
• The trainees enjoyed VR training, with 94% wanting more virtual training
• Reduced training total cost of ownership
• Increased trainee retention and motivation

Going forward

Following the success of the VR course, Intel approved a global-scale deployment of the project, essentially becoming the framework for their VR-based training throughout the business.

Learn more: Intel Enhances Training With VR, Sees 5-Year ROI of 300%

7. Varjo & Boeing: Astronaut VR training

Preparing astronauts for crewed space missions is a meticulous and critical process that requires extensive practice and training. The Boeing Starliner flight-test crew in Houston understands the significance of innovative training methods to ensure the success of their missions.

Docking to the International Space Station (ISS) is a complex operation, and they have embraced immersive virtual reality (VR) environments provided by Varjo for training purposes. This advanced VR training allows the crew to practice precise procedures and prepares them for unexpected events that may arise during the mission.

By simulating dangerous situations and refining their responses and decision-making abilities, VR training plays a crucial role in enhancing mission safety. Varjo’s high-quality visual fidelity enables astronauts to train with precision, immersing themselves in realistic spacecraft environments.

Through VR simulations, the crew can effectively practice and improve their skills without exposing themselves to real-life risks. Ultimately, the integration of VR training significantly contributes to mission safety and paves the way for future advancements in astronaut preparation for space exploration endeavors.

“The ability to connect and jointly train astronauts from various countries, agencies, and private partnerships will be especially important as human spaceflight becomes more commercialized and accessible to everyone.”

Jim May – Spaceflight Training Software Engineer, Boeing

Learn more: A New Era in Astronaut Training using VR

8. NHS & Make Real: Blood identification and grouping

Challenge

Blood type identification is a simple and common process, but the effects of getting it wrong can be devastating. Even a small amount of transfused blood of the wrong type can very quickly cause serious illness and death.

Use Case

The primary purpose of this experience was to show how quickly blood agglutination can occur when different blood types are mixed.

The aim is to build understanding around how important it is to select the right blood type for transfusions and what can quickly go wrong for the patient if you don’t.

Build

Make Real and NHSBT worked together to develop the product. They chose the Oculus Quest headset, which offers 6DoF tracking, high performance and can be used as a standalone headset, allowing it to be easily deployed within hospital training environments.

Impact

Initial feedback was positive but due to the deployment date and impact of COVID-19 upon the NHS and wider health sectors. Full-scale rollout deployment and testing has been put on hold temporarily as associated stakeholders have been positioned within the emergency response teams.

Learn more: Blood Identification VR

9. UPS Prepares Drivers for Road Hazards with VR

The UPS driver training program utilizes VR to allow students to practice their driving skills and develop their ability to identify and handle hazards on the road within a simulated environment. This approach enables drivers to gain valuable experience and prepare for real-life challenges they may encounter while driving.

The driver simulation in VR provides a comprehensive experience that encompasses various road hazards, including pedestrians, parked cars, and oncoming traffic. By exposing drivers to these scenarios in a safe and controlled virtual environment, UPS ensures that they are equipped to handle similar challenges when they are on the road.

Deb Pockette, UPS Integrad project manager, emphasizes the value of training drivers in realistic conditions, particularly for new drivers. The VR simulation captures all the essential aspects that UPS wants drivers to experience before they start driving on actual roads, leading to safer and more competent drivers.

UPS recognizes the importance of embracing technology to maintain a competitive edge and foster a modern workplace. To facilitate this, the company has recently introduced a mobile training academy, consisting of two 53-foot-long trailers, which brings all the training concepts taught in traditional UPS driver training facilities directly to students.

These mobile trailers incorporate virtual reality and augmented reality kiosks, enabling students to benefit from immersive and interactive training experiences.

As UPS continues to advance its training facilities, the integration of VR simulation technology will be extended to all UPS Integrad training centers.

Learn more: UPS Driver Training with VR

10. Volkswagen: Development using VR glasses

Volkswagen has been utilizing virtual reality (VR) tools in various areas of its operations, including technical development, assembly planning, and factory logistics. These VR tools have proven to be time-saving, process-simplifying, and collaboration-enhancing, ultimately increasing efficiency within the company. Here are three examples of how Volkswagen uses virtual workflows:

Driving Simulator in Technical Development:

Volkswagen’s Virtual Reality Center of Excellence (VRK) is responsible for creating driving simulators that allow new vehicle concepts to be experienced at an early stage. Developers use VR glasses to visualize the driving environment and evaluate aspects such as control elements, customer experience, and functionality.

The driving simulator provides a realistic driving experience and helps identify potential improvements in vehicle ergonomics. By using VR, Volkswagen accelerates development processes and reduces resource consumption.

Virtual Assembly Planning:

Volkswagen uses VR in its 3P workshops (Production Preparation Process) where assembly lines are set up or modified. Traditionally, physical prototypes made of plywood and cardboard were used to plan assembly processes, but these prototypes are costly.

By transitioning to virtual meetings, participants can use VR to simulate assembly cycles, identify ergonomic issues, and optimize processes. The digital representation of production facilities forms the basis for creating 3D visualizations, and participants act as avatars in the simulation. This approach allows Volkswagen to detect errors earlier, reduce costs, and streamline assembly processes.

VR in Logistics:

Volkswagen employs virtual reality to introduce new logistics processes and enhance efficiency. VR workshops are conducted to modify workflows related to new IT systems and software in logistics. By using VR applications, employees can virtually navigate and interact with the logistics processes, understand new features, and actively contribute to shaping the processes.

This approach improves collaboration among planners, IT specialists, and logistics experts. VR simulations enable employees to learn and test digital systems and tools, making it easier to analyze vulnerabilities, manage changes, and enhance routine operations.

Summary

Overall, Volkswagen’s adoption of VR tools in various areas of its operations has enabled the company to save time, reduce costs, simplify processes, and enhance collaboration and efficiency.

These virtual workflows contribute to Volkswagen’s sustainability goals by minimizing the need for physical prototypes, reducing material consumption, and eliminating the need for extensive business travel.

Learn more: How Volkswagen uses virtual workflows

Augmented Reality is transforming the landscape of training and education. This innovative technology allows for immersive, interactive learning experiences that traditional methods can’t match. Companies implementing AR for training purposes have reported notable engagement, retention, and performance improvements. Perkins Coie and XR Association report that they predict mixed reality immersive tools will be as ubiquitous as the mobile phone in the near future.

In this blog, we’ll provide an overview of augmented reality and discuss the benefits of AR to enhance learning and training scenarios. We’ll also showcase some of the best augmented reality apps available today.

Understanding AR-Based Training

Augmented Reality is a technology that overlays digital content, such as images, videos, or 3D models, onto the real world through devices like smartphones, tablets, or AR-capable headsets such as the Meta Quest 3.

Unlike Virtual Reality (VR), which allows users to interact in a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional environment via headset, AR displays interactive and informative digital elements in the real world. This seamless integration of the virtual and physical worlds enables users to interact with both simultaneously, creating a more immersive and memorable experience.

Brief History of Augmented Reality

The concept of Augmented Reality dates back to the 1960s when computer scientist Ivan Sutherland developed the first head-mounted display system, known as the “Sword of Damocles.” However, it wasn’t until the early 1990s that the term “Augmented Reality” was coined by Boeing researcher Tom Caudell. The technology gained traction in the 2000s with the advent of smartphones and computer vision and sensor technology advancements.

By the 2010s, AR began making significant inroads into various fields, including gaming, retail, and notably, training. Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple have since developed sophisticated AR platforms, leading to the creation of immersive training applications. Today, AR-based training is revolutionizing industries by offering hands-on, interactive learning experiences that enhance knowledge retention and skill acquisition.

Benefits of AR Training

AR-based training offers a myriad of benefits that make it an attractive option for modern learning environments. Some of the benefits include:

• Immersive Experiences: AR training immerses learners in realistic and interactive environments, significantly enhancing comprehension and retention by simulating real-world conditions.
• Risk-Free Practice: It allows learners to practice skills and apply knowledge in a simulated environment, eliminating the risks associated with real-world consequences.
• Scalability: AR training is scalable for any organization size, providing consistent training experiences that can be deployed across various devices, ensuring accessibility and uniformity.
• Active Participation: The interactive nature of AR fosters active learner participation, leading to deeper engagement and improved learning outcomes.
• Immediate Feedback: AR provides instant feedback and customizable training modules, allowing learners to progress at their own pace, resulting in more efficient and personalized learning experiences.

Examples of AR Training Apps

Wooorld

Wooorld is an impressive mixed-reality experience that offers significant learning benefits by allowing users to explore geographical wonders from the comfort of their own homes. Users can gain a deeper understanding of the world by visiting hundreds of cities, architectural landmarks, natural wonders, and vacation spots in incredible 3D detail.

The app’s unique social experience enables users to share these explorations with friends in VR, using voice chat and 3D avatars with face and body tracking. This interactive and collaborative environment, enhanced by creative tools and games, makes learning about geography and world cultures both engaging and fun.

PianoVision

PianoVision harnesses mixed reality to create a dynamic and immersive piano learning experience. Users can play with a real or virtual keyboard, while the Learning Engine offers personalized feedback and adaptive practice sessions.

With over 1000 songs and exercises, MIDI upload capabilities, multiplayer features, and performance analytics, PianoVision transforms piano practice into an interactive, social, and effective learning process. The app’s design encourages gradual independence from the VR headset, ensuring skills are transferable to real-world piano playing.

If you’re interested in mixed reality and music, have a look at Paradiddle for learning the drums.

VirtualSpeech

VirtualSpeech leverages AR to provide an immersive tool for improving soft skills such as public speaking, presentation skills, and handling difficult conversations. By integrating avatars into home, classroom, or office settings, users can practice in familiar environments.

The platform offers AI-generated feedback, enhancing the learning experience by providing instant, personalized insights. This AR-based practice helps users prepare for real-world interactions, making VirtualSpeech an effective and scalable solution for mastering soft skills through interactive and engaging simulations.

Learn more: VirtualSpeech website

Rube Goldburg Workshop

Rube Goldberg Workshop by Free Range Games offers a mixed reality experience where users can build complex, whimsical machines to learn principles of physics, engineering, and problem-solving. This interactive platform allows learners to experiment with components in an immersive environment, enhancing their understanding of cause and effect, mechanical relationships, and creative design.

By combining physical and digital elements, the workshop provides a hands-on, engaging approach to education, making it effective and enjoyable for students of all ages.

NounTown

NounTown is an immersive language-learning experience that uses mixed reality to teach new languages in a fun and engaging way. Users can explore a vibrant virtual town, interacting with characters and objects to practice vocabulary and conversational skills in real-life scenarios.

The interactive and immersive nature of NounTown enhances retention and understanding, making language learning more effective. This mixed reality approach transforms traditional language education into a dynamic and enjoyable experience.

ProgrammerVR

ProgrammerVR offers a mixed reality environment for learning and practicing programming skills. Users can engage in coding challenges and projects within a fully immersive virtual space, enhancing their understanding of programming concepts through interactive and hands-on experience.

The augmented reality elements allow users to visualize and manipulate code in a dynamic 3D environment, making abstract concepts more tangible and easier to grasp. This innovative approach transforms traditional programming education into an engaging and effective learning experience.

In this blog, we are going to explore various methods and tools you can use to help your time management skills. This will include methods to help set goals and prioritize, or tools to help you manage your to-do list. If you’re struggling with your time management skills, you are not alone! 82% of Americans say they don’t proactively use tools or methodologies to help manage their time.

Why is time management important?

While it may seem obvious that time management is the ability to use time effectively and productively throughout the day, the reasons why it is such an important and desirable skill are often overlooked. Consistently managing our time can significantly reduce stress levels, leading to increased productivity and improved overall mental health.

High-stress levels can cause exhaustion, fatigue, anxiety, and decreased satisfaction in life and work. By improving our time management skills, we can alleviate some of this stress, leading to a more balanced, fulfilling, and productive day.

Create a plan and schedule

Creating a plan and schedule is vital for effective time management, especially for those juggling multiple responsibilities, such as students with various deadlines. Start by making a comprehensive list of tasks and goals you need to accomplish. This step provides a clear picture of what lies ahead and helps you stay organized. In fact, 73% of people claim they find creating a to-do list a calming activity that sets them up for success.

Next, outline specific, achievable goals and prioritize them based on urgency and importance. Breaking down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps can make even the most daunting projects feel achievable.

A daily schedule helps you focus on immediate tasks, a weekly schedule allows for a broader view of ongoing commitments, and a monthly schedule provides insight into long-term goals. Utilize tools such as calendars, planners, or digital apps.

There are some great tools for every budget. Google Calendar is a great free calendar and Trello offers some helpful features even in the free package. If you do have more of a budget, it’s worth reviewing applications such as Asana or Hive for more powerful solutions.

Including buffer time in your schedule is essential to handle unexpected tasks or delays. By setting clear priorities and maintaining a flexible, structured schedule, you ensure that your most critical tasks receive the attention they need, paving the way for a more productive and balanced day.

Setting Clear Goals and Priorities

Once you have a plan and schedule in place, setting clear goals and priorities becomes essential for effective time management.

One of the most effective ways to establish goals is by using SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. SMART goals provide a clear and structured framework that makes it easier to track progress and achieve desired outcomes. Additionally, prioritizing tasks is crucial to ensure that the most important and urgent tasks are addressed first.

The Eisenhower Matrix and The ABCDE Method are two effective techniques for prioritizing tasks.

The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix, categorizes tasks into four quadrants based on their urgency and importance:

• Urgent and Important: Tasks that require immediate attention and contribute to your long-term goals (e.g., meeting deadlines, handling crises).
• Important but Not Urgent: Tasks that are important for achieving long-term goals but do not require immediate action (e.g., strategic planning, skill development).
• Urgent but Not Important: Tasks that require immediate attention but do not significantly impact long-term goals (e.g., answering non-critical emails, attending some meetings).
• Not Urgent and Not Important: Tasks that have little to no impact on your long-term goals and can often be minimized or eliminated (e.g., trivial activities, excessive social media use).

Using the Eisenhower Matrix means you can focus on high-impact tasks and avoid getting bogged down by less important activities.

The ABCDE method, developed by productivity expert Brian Tracy, helps prioritize tasks by assigning each a letter based on its importance and urgency:

• A: Very important tasks that must be done—serious consequences if not completed.
• B: Important tasks that should be done—moderate consequences if not completed.
• C: Nice-to-do tasks that would be beneficial but have no consequences if not completed.
• D: Delegate tasks that can be assigned to someone else.
• E: Eliminate tasks that are not necessary and do not contribute to your goals.

Then, within each category, you can further prioritize tasks by numbering them (e.g., A1, A2, B1, B2). This method helps ensure that you focus on tasks that have the greatest impact.

Avoiding Procrastination and Staying Focussed

Avoiding procrastination and maintaining focus are essential for effective time management. Procrastination often stems from common causes such as feeling overwhelmed by tasks, fearing failure, or lacking motivation. Overcoming these obstacles requires a combination of self-awareness and practical strategies.

One effective technique is the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25-minute intervals followed by a 5-minute break. This method helps maintain concentration and reduces the likelihood of burnout. There are several other time management techniques such as Time Blocking and Eat the Frog, as well as numerous others. It’s all about finding the method that works best for you.

Maintaining focus can be further enhanced by setting specific work periods and incorporating regular breaks to recharge. Establishing a conducive work environment is crucial as well. Minimize distractions by creating a tidy, organized workspace and limiting access to distracting websites or apps during work periods. Noise-cancelling headphones or background music can help maintain concentration.

Enhancing Efficiency with Technology

Technology offers a huge amount of tools that can help enhance time management practices, improving productivity and organizational efficiency. These can include task tracking tools mentioned earlier for planning scheduling, note taking apps such Obsidian and Joplin help streamline the note-making process. Additionally, the use of AI can help tasks like summarising a meeting or lecture with applications like Fathom. AI can help you save time, by reducing some of the work in completing a task, leaving you more time to focus on the more urgent jobs. There are also collaboration tools to help digital communication between coworkers, which will be discussed further in the next section.

Incorporating technological solutions into daily operations can enhance organizational skills, reduce the risk of overlooking important tasks, and improve effectiveness in educational and corporate environments.

Delegation and Collaboration

Effective time management also involves recognizing tasks that can be delegated to others. Delegating tasks not only frees up your time for more critical activities but also empowers team members and promotes a collaborative work environment. In both educational and enterprise settings, effective delegation requires clear communication, trust, and an understanding of each team member’s strengths and workload.

Here are some tips for effective delegation:

• Identify tasks that can be delegated: Focus on routine or time-consuming tasks that do not require your specific expertise.
• Choose the right person: Delegate tasks to individuals who have the necessary skills and capacity to complete them.
• Provide clear instructions: Ensure that the person understands the task, its importance, and the expected outcome.
• Set deadlines and expectations: Clearly communicate when the task should be completed and any milestones along the way.
• Offer support and resources: Be available to answer questions and provide the tools or resources needed for the task.
• Trust and empower: Allow the person to complete the task without micromanaging, which helps build their confidence and skills.
• Provide feedback: After the task is completed, offer constructive feedback to help them improve and acknowledge their efforts.

Collaboration tools like Slack and Lark play a crucial role in managing time efficiently, especially those with remote or hybrid teams. These platforms facilitate real-time communication, file sharing, and project management, making it easier to coordinate with team members and stay on top of tasks. Features like channels, group chats, and integrations with other productivity apps streamline workflows and reduce the time spent on email and meetings. By leveraging these tools, teams can enhance collaboration, ensure everyone is aligned, and maintain productivity even in remote or hybrid work environments.

Continuous Improvement and Reflection

Regular self-assessment and reflection on time management practices are vital for ongoing improvement and efficiency. Taking the time to evaluate what methods are working well and which ones could be improved allows individuals to adapt their strategies accordingly. Not every tool or methodology is going to work for everyone. By reflecting on past successes and challenges, it idenifies areas to improve whilst celebrating progress.

This self-awareness enables further refining of techniques, experimenting with new methods, and ultimately optimizing productivity. Embracing a mindset of continuous improvement fosters resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to maximizing productivity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, effective time management is a critical skill for anyone and is essential for balancing responsibilities and maximizing productivity. This blog has explored various strategies and tools to help individuals better manage their time and tasks. From creating comprehensive plans and schedules to setting clear goals and priorities using techniques like SMART criteria, Eisenhower Matrix, and ABCDE method. To leveraging technology and AI for enhanced efficiency as well as introducing some time management methods such as The Pomodoro Technique.

By implementing these tips and techniques, individuals can experience increased productivity, reduced stress, and a greater sense of accomplishment in both their academic and professional endeavors. So, whether you’re a student juggling coursework or an employee navigating a demanding workload, prioritizing effective time management can lead to success and well-being. Start implementing these strategies today and reap the benefits of a more organized and productive day.