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Virtual reality (VR) job training can take on a number of different appearances, from technical and practical skills through to soft skills. Using headsets, VR training places learners inside simulated environments that they can interact with through hand-tracking or controllers to monitor hand movements and interactions.
Classroom and e-learning, the more traditional forms of job training, offer a contrasted experience. Classroom training relies on in-person instructors, physical materials, and scheduled sessions, while e-learning delivers 2D digital content such as videos, slides, and quizzes on computers or mobile devices.
Unlike these more static approaches, VR provides a fully immersive, spatially realistic experience that replicates real-world tasks and scenarios.
VR job training offers an innovative way to develop job-seekers, new hires, and employees. Not only that, but it often reduces costs, enhances productivity, and boosts employee retention, when compared to traditional training methods.
Some of the biggest companies in the US and beyond are embedding VR for employee training. For example:
- Volvo uses VR to train employees in actions such as replacing batteries in their cars
- UPS uses VR to training their drivers on technical skills such as stacking packages effectively, but also to handle emergency field situations like dog attacks
- Walmart are elevating their employees' soft skills with VR
Why traditional job training needs innovation
While traditional job training is embedded in culture and workplaces around the world, it undoubtedly comes with its challenges. Instructor-led learning achieves good retention, however it is expensive and less scalable than alternate options. E-learning achieves good retention whilst often being a more cost-effective and scalable option.
However, VR delivers higher engagement, immersion, and interactivity than passive formats like e‑learning. And while e-learning may be a lower upfront cost, PwC identified that VR learning at large scale becomes more cost-effective than e-learning.
VR also provides a much-needed safety when it comes to practicing both technical and soft skills.
For technical skills, VR is especially valuable for safety or manual training, giving learners the opportunity to practise hazardous scenarios risk-free. And for soft skills, VR provides an immersive, psychologically safe environment to practise difficult encounters in realistic and repeatable roleplays without the fears of being watched or monitored.
What does VR job training involve?
VR job training involves learners being immersed in 3D simulated environments which replicate real world work situations. Sometimes this training may be blended with group discussion or more traditional instructor-led learning. But equally, it can easily be used asynchronously, much like e-learning, and taken in the individual’s own time.
And many industries are already deploying it: retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare (for both technical and soft skills) and skilled trades.
Real world examples of VR in employee training
Walmart’s VR onboarding and soft skills training
Since 2017, Walmart have used Oculus headsets for VR training - from retail associates through to managers, they all take the same training for new technology, for soft skills like empathy and customer service, and for compliance training.
Lowe’s “Holoroom How To: Red Vest”
The Holoroom How To: Red Vest is Lowe’s employee training platform which instructs their associates on how to use in-store equipment to help better serve their customers.
UPS’ driver safety simulations
As briefly mentioned above, UPS is using VR to train their drivers in a number of areas, such as driving experiences which deal with real-life road hazards like pedestrians, parked cars, and oncoming traffic.
KFC’s virtual cooking experience
In 2017, KFC introduced “The Hard Way - a KFC Virtual Training Escape Room” to their trainees. The technology is used to supplement their employee training programme for chefs – called Chicken Mastery Certification – and consists of an experience where Colonel Sanders gives hints and clues to help users through the escape room, while learning how to make fried chicken in their unique way.
Healthcare emergency response drills
In 2025, the East Midlands Ambulance Service was the first ambulance service in the UK to introduce REACT-XR and REACT-TTX training tools. These tools use VR to help ambulance crews and specialist emergency teams prepare to deal with emergency situations.
Boeing’s astronaut training
Boeing Starliner uses VR for astronaut training, helping to prepare astronauts at every step of the mission. Astronauts use VR training for the full spectrum of scenarios, including operating spacecraft and docking at the international space station.
Oil and gas safety scenarios
Industry leaders across the oil and gas sectors
are using VR training for critical operations preparation. Companies like Shell and Exxonmobil use VR to help train workers in safety procedures to address smaller accidents and for emergency response to larger incidents.
Benefits of using VR for workforce development
Faster and more engaging training
VR accelerates learning by immersing users in a virtual environment, eliminating external distractions to heighten focus. PwC found VR learners were up to four times more focused than their e‑learning peers and 1.5 times more focused than classroom learners, and they completed soft‑skills training up to four times faster than in-person training.
Safe practice for high-risk scenarios
As well as being highly effective, VR training allows for practice without consequences – valuable for both technical and soft skills. In VR, learners can rehearse intimidating public speaking scenarios without fear of judgement and they can practice physically dangerous tasks, such as heavy machinery operations, in lifelike settings without risking injury. Toyota Material Handling used VR for forklift training, creating immersive simulations that reduced safety incidents.
Improved knowledge retention
As we mentioned above, VR is a particularly engaging, immersive experience. And this contributes to helping make learning deeply memorable. PWC’s study demonstrated that VR learners felt 3.75 times more emotionally connected to the content than classroom learners and were 275% more confident in applying what they learned.
Cost efficiency at scale
Although VR often requires a high upfront cost, its scalability potential delivers significant long-term returns, especially in comparison to traditional, instructor-led training as virtual training can be deployed repeatedly without additional venue or instructor costs. Toyota’s VR forklift training program not only improved onboarding efficiency but also delivered substantial savings of approximately $1.5 million per year by reducing travel, physical equipment needs, and instructor labour.
Who can benefit from VR training the most?
VR training for the workplace can benefit all – from job seekers and displaced workers through to late-career managers, apprentices and new hires, to students preparing for their first step into the workplace.
Both corporate and public sector institutions can leverage VR for scalable, engaging training that reaches wider audiences efficiently.
What the future looks like for VR job training
As the technology improves, VR could become an even more powerful addition to workforce reskilling and upskilling. Giving people an even more engaging experience, with even more personalised feedback thanks to improved AI coaching, will bring great things to employees and job seekers alike.
Forget dry classrooms or generic workshops. Imagine workers stepping into immersive virtual scenarios, accessible anytime, anywhere. This innovative approach accelerates the development of both technical expertise and essential soft skills, smoothing career transitions and empowering employers, educators, and governments to rapidly scale training programs to meet evolving workforce needs.
