Everyone can find a suitable delivery method for safety and qualification training

There is certainly a suitable option for everyone among the training delivery methods

Different delivery formats for safety and qualification training

New effective delivery methods for safety and qualification training have emerged in recent years. Due to the pandemic, training moved almost entirely online because of gathering restrictions. This situation led to rapid growth in the supply and quality of webinar and online training. Although there has been a partial return to in-person training, training delivered online and other digital delivery methods are here to stay, and new, even better ways to train personnel continue to develop. This article compares five different training delivery formats: in-person training, webinar training, online training, virtual reality training, and metaverse-based training.

In-Person Training

In-person training is a traditional training format where the instructor and students are physically present in the same space. This enables direct interaction and immediate feedback. In-person training is particularly well suited for practical exercises and simulations that require physical presence. Disadvantages include travel costs and challenges in coordinating schedules.

An advantage of in-person training is also that the instructor can observe participants’ reactions and adapt their teaching as needed. This enables individualized guidance and supports learning effectively. Additionally, in-person training offers opportunities for networking and social interaction, which can be especially important in professional training. In-person training is at its best when the goal is to achieve significant attitudinal or cultural change, for example in safety culture and attitudes.
.

Webinar Training

Webinar training is real-time online training where participants can follow lectures and participate in discussions via remote connection. Webinars enable a broad participant base and reduce the need for travel. They are effective for sharing information and addressing theoretical topics. Some less experienced participants may encounter technical challenges, but with good instructions and support from our customer service, all situations can be resolved. It is important to join the session early so that the connection can be tested before the training begins.

An advantage of webinar training is its flexibility and accessibility. Participants can join the training from anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. This also enables the participation of experts from around the world, which can enrich the training content. Of course, any significant differences in time zones must be taken into account when planning the training schedule. Webinars can also be recorded, allowing participants to return to them later and review what they have learned.

Online Training

Online training is a flexible training format where learning materials are available online and students can progress at their own pace. This enables learning regardless of time and place. Online training is particularly well suited for acquiring theoretical knowledge and independent study. One of the greatest advantages of online training is the verifiability of training and learning. The training content is completely standardized and does not depend on the instructor’s personal style or discretion, which is always inherent in instructor-led training. Through the technical solutions of online training, it can be ensured that every trainee definitely receives the instruction in the same and complete form. Learning can be verified individually through various assignments, interim tests, and final exams, and information about all responses is stored for later analysis. This enables obtaining even in-depth statistical data for company-specific safety work.

Limited interaction and lack of practical exercises are often perceived as disadvantages of online training. This was certainly the case with the first online training courses on the market. However, training methods and pedagogy in this training format are also constantly evolving, and modern online training is already more effective than in-person training in terms of impact.

An advantage of online training is its cost-effectiveness and scalability. Learning materials can be distributed to a large number of students without additional costs. Additionally, online training enables personalization of learning, as students can choose a learning pace and style that suits them. Online training can utilize diverse learning materials, such as videos, interactive assignments, and discussion forums.
.

Virtual Reality Training

Virtual reality training (VR) utilizes virtual reality technology to create immersive learning environments. VR training enables realistic simulations and practical exercises in a safe environment. An advantage of virtual reality training is its ability to provide practical experiences without physical risks. This training format is especially useful for dangerous or difficult-to-implement exercises. For example, training can simulate fires and practice evacuation from smoke-filled spaces safely, or practice lifting challenging and dangerous loads in difficult conditions.

Challenges of virtual reality include high costs when virtual exercises are implemented for individual company use. Nordic Competence Group offers its customers safety and qualification training and related practical exercises in standardized formats, which has kept the cost level reasonable. From standardized, general exercises, it is of course also possible to customize company-specific versions. Even then, the costs remain significantly lower than exercises developed from scratch.

For some participants, new technology may initially be unfamiliar and virtual training may be associated with preconceptions. However, new technology is becoming an increasingly integral part of almost everyone’s everyday life, at least in the form of entertainment, so the threshold for training using similar devices will also decrease in the coming years for these individuals. Now is therefore the right time to start planning the implementation of newer technologies in your company as well.

At its best, VR technology also enables the visualization and practice of complex processes. This is conducive to improving learning efficiency and retention. According to research, training conducted in virtual reality is even four times more effective than training conducted in in-person instruction. This means that one hour of virtual training equals four hours of in-person training. Investments in virtual exercises therefore pay for themselves quickly through increased safety levels, more skilled personnel, and saved hours.

Metaverse-Based Training

Metaverse-based training is the newest training format, where learning takes place in a multi-user immersive virtual world. The metaverse combines elements of online training, virtual training, and social interaction. Metaverse-based training thus combines the best aspects of virtual reality exercises and in-person training, as the virtual world enables unlimited and risk-free practice, and metaverse technology brings an interactive multi-user environment. In the metaverse environment, the instructor and other students are virtually present at the same time learning and practicing. This enables the simulation and practice of complex and challenging situations requiring collaboration, diverse learning experiences, and collaborative learning.

A challenge of metaverse technology so far is the lack of general training environment implementations, meaning that implementing metaverse technology for training purposes still requires company-specific training environments. On the other hand, an advantage of this situation is that a metaverse environment created for a company can be a perfect digital copy of the company’s actual premises, production facility, building, or machine, allowing the digital copy to be utilized in very in-depth development of various processes and operating models.

An advantage of metaverse-based training is its ability to provide immersive and interactive learning experiences. Participants can move around the virtual environment, participate in group tasks, and communicate with other participants in real time. This can improve learning motivation and engagement, especially in international or otherwise dispersed work communities. The metaverse also offers the opportunity to create learning environments that would not be possible in the physical world, such as historical events or future scenarios.

Effective Combination of Training Formats

As noted above, no training format is superior to others; rather, each training format has its own place depending on the training objectives and target group. Different training delivery formats have their own strengths and weaknesses. Each training format can be effective in the right circumstances and when adapted to needs. Often, different training formats are at their best when combined with each other. Online training is a very effective way to increase knowledge-based competence and is excellently suited for learning the theoretical component, while virtual reality training is the most effective learning method for practical exercises. On the other hand, selecting training formats according to the target group could proceed, for example, so that inexperienced first-timers complete the training as in-person training so they can utilize the instructor’s expertise by asking about matters that are unclear to them, while for more experienced individuals reviewing the material, online training is a more time- and cost-effective and often more meaningful training method.

Looking to the future, it is important to consider technological development and the opportunities it brings to training delivery. Timely implementation and deployment of new technologies within an organization can provide valuable competitive advantage in the future. A technological leap should not be attempted all at once, but rather step by step at an appropriate pace, taking into account the organization’s current development level.