Training in VR enables companies like Noel Leeming to effectively teach staff whilst saving cost and time compared to traditional training methods. Noel Leeming took on virtual reality for their staff training programs. The interactive learning simulation was introduced internally and used nationwide. It provided a fun learning experience that re-imagined eLearning practices.

The Learning & Development team at Noel Leeming was long thinking of implementing Virtual Reality in one of their eLearning courses for their staff. We created a Virtual Reality (VR) experience for the Noel Leeming who wanted to introduce their staff to Health & Safety with a fun interactive approach.

It’s no secret that an increasing number of businesses are turning to ‘Virtual Reality in eLearning’ for staff training. Virtual Reality (VR) is normally implemented in situations which can be risky or hazardous. Instead of conducting drills, companies can help employees expose to concepts such as emergency response to a hazardous situations through a VR based module. Further, insurance companies can benefit from Virtual Reality in eLearning by using it to accurately assess property damages.

Noel Leeming approached us to develop an introductory course on Health & Safety for their L&D team using VR. The objective was to educate their employees on the safe use of: Scenario 01 – Manual Handling Scenario 02 – Falling Objects Scenario 02 – Cuts. The L&D team requested for an interactive way to train their staff on best practices for lifting heavy objects; use of the right equipment to be careful when opening boxes, best approaches for lifting boxes and gamified puzzles in how to stack boxes to avoid hazards with sharp objects.

The VR user helped the character “Noel” on his journey to act safely on his first day at work. The program provided users with the general guideline procedure to be followed after completing the experience. The L&D team also wanted the training to be rolled out for PC, tablets, and smartphones as part of their LMS.

Our team evaluated the H&S paperwork used as part of their induction program and extracted solutions that could be used for training. We suggested building 3 x scenarios that would give the employees an interactive feel for the situation. We used the right technology to ensure training courses can be taken on PCs, tablets, smartphones and, most importantly, through the use of VR goggles which they made available to their selected stores.

We used 3D Animated characters and recreated a virtual environment of the Noel Leeming warehouse premises. The storyboard and the content were curated accordingly. We developed a simulation of the work spaces, floors and offices. For this simulation, we added a few hotspots where the user could choose the right option when prompted by a multi-choice question in each scenario. This would leave a major learning impact on the first timer staff.

The course allowed employees to choose different paths and be scored on choosing the right answer at the end. Employees can make decisions on what action to take in given scenarios commonly seen in the workplace. Most of the employees said the experience with VR was quite exciting and useful, and helped them experience the selected scenarios in a fun interactive way.