Imagine training employees with a virtual reality, audio-visual headset that puts them on the job, inside a realistic house, with saws buzzing, hammers tapping and birds chirping. That is the concept behind an industry-leading virtual reality training program sponsored by Owens Corning. It is aimed at insulation contractors and distributors who want to give new and existing employees an on-the-job, immersive experience with nine modules. These include safety, general insulation job site practices and even specialized spray foam installation.

“This visually enhanced experience requires no laptop; just Wi-Fi and a headset,” said Derek Fowler, marketing and contractor training manager at Owens Corning. “What employer wouldn’t want to place his or her employees in a risk-free setting for learning on a virtual job.”

For example, with spray foam, the employee can actually experience working in a spray foam rig, as well as go inside a house to dial in proper foam ratios, diagnose and troubleshoot things like off-ratio foam, and temperature and pressure adjustments. Or they can experience operating and troubleshooting a loose-fill insulation truck and blowing machine, along with air sealing instruction. Another big factor for contractor trainees is safety, proper gear and equipment usage, which is also covered in the modules.

According to studies on labor management, VR is supported by the numbers:

• It is four times faster to train with VR than a classroom setting.
• There are 80 percent knowledge retention levels after one year.
• There are 43 percent lower incidence of worker injuries.
• Eighty-two percent of companies say VR training met or exceeded expectations.
• Ninety-four percent of workers asked for more VR training.

Fowler says the Owens Corning VR training is a way to move the industry forward and support customers in achieving their quality and safety goals. “The VR training concept is geared to bring on new employees more quickly and efficiently with this advanced form of training,” he said. “It can also help mitigate issues around labor and retention that existed years before the pandemic.”

The VR Training bundle, available on Owens Corning’s website as a third-party link, consists of a headset and learning management system, which has nine training modules to date. It is recommended to dedicate one headset per 10-15 employees. It’s easy to use and requires no additional hardware; just turn it on and connect to Wi-Fi. Learn more at www.owenscorning.com/virtualreality.