Virtual reality puts a new spin on traditional training
CHICAGO—Performing a gas meter safety inspection is one of the first and most critical training experiences for new hires working at natural gas companies. But traditional training approaches can be limited in terms of providing new workers with experience in every single possible meter configuration and defect in a short amount of time. This can create an experience gap between new and seasoned workers.
Peoples Gas is working on a solution.
Recently, the company began to explore the use of virtual reality software to train 1,600 workers and fire officials on conducting gas meter safety inspections. It is also considering using the software to provide vocational training to students at Chicago Public Schools.
The Gas Meter Safety Inspection training module, being developed by PIXO VR, is expected to provide an effective way to expose new hires to varied scenarios in a fraction of the time it would take for more traditional training. Trainees would embark on a virtual route where they locate and report on common and uncommon defects, all within a realistic 3-D environment that mimics a real-world experience. The randomized scenarios presented in the module provide a unique experience for users every time they train. In addition, trainers will have access to user management, reporting and analytics to monitor trainees’ performance, accuracy and progress over time.
According to Peoples Gas, its training team was looking for innovative, engaging and effective ways to train new team members, especially as the industry is seeing a large portion of the workforce nearing retirement and a new generation coming on board. VR training will enable the company to train workers on natural gas leak investigation, emergency response, pipeline locating, pipeline installation, meter installation, corrosion activities and safety inspections. “It looks like the right solution to help us build for the future, increase retention, decrease errors and maintain our excellent record of reliability and safety,” said a company spokesperson.
Gas Meter Safety Inspection VR Training will be the first commercially available release from PIXO’s library of licensable enterprise VR training programs. The company’s VR application platform, which is made up of pre-built components, means PIXO is well positioned to quickly develop additional enterprise VR training modules for those working in a wide range of industries. This marks the first time enterprise VR training is being made commercially available, for a small monthly fee, without the cost of custom development.