Words: Nickie Dwyer
Everyone learns in different ways. The challenge for many businesses is finding a training method that allows each worker to understand and retain what they have learned over time.
Simulation-based training is already common in healthcare, aviation and defence industries. Now, it’s becoming more popular within facility management and skilled trades—proving to have unmatched benefits.
Immersing employees in real-life training
Simulation-based training presents immersive, interactive scenarios mirroring tasks and challenges that workers face on the job. In healthcare, for example, medical students encounter a simulated “patient” with various symptoms. Students can then diagnose and treat the patient without any risk to real patients.
In facility management, the same applies: trainees receive tasks they’ll be required to perform in the field within an environment that mirrors the one they’ll work in, ensuring no risk to the learner, equipment or facilities.
SSC Services for Education in the US provides facility management, custodial services and grounds maintenance for schools.
Harnessing technology
Simulation training can be done in person with real recreations of environments and tasks. However, this training becomes more realistic when delivered via technology. For instance, trainees might learn the proper steps to replace a ceiling tile in an office, using a simulation to walk them through every step. Companies like South Metropolitan TAFE in Perth are pioneering virtual simulation programs for technical training, providing a model for Australian businesses.
Technology-based simulation training
Using web-based training, businesses can develop tailored scenarios, including location-specific elements and tools workers will encounter. Virtual reality (VR) can further enhance training, as VR tools from companies like Immersive Technologies (used in mining) allow trainees to interact within a simulated space.
Addressing VR misconceptions
Associates sometimes worry about nausea or dizziness. Unlike VR roller coasters, facility management VR training is slow-paced. Australian companies like Real Response have developed VR scenarios tailored for workplace training, focusing on creating safe and steady environments for trainees.
Building safety muscle memory
Simulation training provides practical benefits in facility management, especially for safety. VR training lets employees practice high-risk tasks, such as plumbing repairs or electrical wiring, in a safe environment, building the “muscle memory” needed for real-world tasks.
Practical considerations
Investing in simulation training may come with upfront costs but scheduling rotations can make it effective for large groups. By setting time blocks, employers can balance simulation training with regular work.
Measuring impact on the business
Setting performance milestones, like time taken on tasks or repeat job calls, can show training effectiveness. Aligning goals with training outcomes, such as fewer incident reports after maintenance tasks, may give valuable insights. The goal of training programs should be to ensure knowledge retention while improving processes.
With evolving technology, Australian businesses have an opportunity to lead in adopting simulation and VR training, bringing benefits that reach well beyond ease of use.
About the author:
Nickie Dwyer is a training and development manager with SSC Services for Education, an industry-leading provider of educational facility management services.
Photo by Eugene Capon on Pexels.
