Virtual Reality learning: untapped potential to upskill a growing aged care workforce
The Treasurer announced in his May 2021 budget that spending of more than $650 million has been allocated to grow and upskill the aged care workforce, with some of that money to go towards ensuring those already in the system don't leave. With this focus on the aged care workforce, it’s time to think about ‘how’ the workforce will learn, and continue to upskill.
We need to assume that in-person training may not be an option all of the time, given our experiences of COVID-19. For a growing workforce that will need to be upskilled quickly, relying on traditional training options such as manuals, guides and uninspiring online training won’t cut it. They are often just too time-consuming and tedious to complete.
We believe virtual reality (VR) as a training tool has an exciting and untapped potential for the sector. VR training creates an opportunity for workers to learn the same requisite training but through an engaging and immersive experience.
According to industry research around soft skills learning, people who were trained using VR were:
4x faster to train than in the classroom
275% more confident to apply skills learned after training
4x more focused than their E-learning peers
3.75x more emotionally connected to content than classroom learners
What is Virtual Reality?
Virtual Reality consists of crafted simulations of situations using either computer generated imagery (CGI), or 360° videos that are filmed in real life using actors. ‘Presence’ is a term used in the virtual reality world where the user experiencing the VR feels present in the simulation making it ‘real’ to them. When experienced through a VR headset, the user has a chance to engage all their senses while present in the simulation, making the brain think it is a real experience.
VR isn’t just about experiences.
The sector has seen some wonderful examples of VR experiences making a difference for seniors in residential aged care or home care. Often these experiences are travel or ‘bucket-list’ experiences, however the learning opportunity for the workforce is phenomenal. By designing intentional scenario-based decision making into learning, it can guide and assess staff in preparation for real world activities. While it can be experienced via the VR headsets, scenario based training can also be experienced via any compatible browser. This makes it both scalable and effective in accelerating learning.
As the Telstra Digital Inclusion Index puts it "Digital inclusion is not just about computers, the internet or even technology. It is about using technology as a channel to improve skills, to enhance quality of life, to drive education and to promote economic well being."
Chat to us about upskilling your staff through virtual reality.