News / October 2023

How VR Training Can Boost DEI Efforts in Your Organisation

The concept of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has become a priority for many organisations, and with the advancement of technology, Virtual Reality (VR) training has emerged as a powerful tool for achieving DEI goals. VR training is an interactive, immersive experience that can be used to teach employees new skills and reinforce existing ones. This article explores how VR training can be leveraged to boost DEI efforts in your organisation.

The importance of DEI training

DEI is not just altruistic, it is important for a productive workplace. Organisations that invest in DEI training often see an increase in employee satisfaction, retention, and overall business performance. Providing a workplace that fosters inclusivity and belonging is crucial to attracting and retaining diverse talent. However, traditional DEI training methods have limitations and may not be effective in creating lasting change. This is where VR technology comes in: by integrating VR into an existing training program, organisations can create a more immersive learning experience that enhances DEI education and training.

Limitations of traditional DEI training methods

Traditional training methods might bring memories of boring, uninteresting online training or, worse, role plays that are humiliating and embarrassing. While traditional DEI training methods are a good starting point, they fall short in creating engaging and impactful learning experiences. Research has shown that we forget up to 50% of what we learn within an hour of being taught it through traditional education methods. According to the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve, we forget 70% of new information within 24 hours if it is not reinforced. This is where VR technology comes into play, as it provides a more immersive, memorable and interactive approach to DEI education.

How VR can enhance DEI training programs

Virtual Reality technology has gained popularity in recent years as a powerful tool for enhancing training programs across various industries. One key advantage of using VR in DEI training is its replayability. Traditional training methods, such as lectures or seminars, can be a one-time event that employees may not retain. With VR, users can revisit scenarios and practise responding to different situations repeatedly, reinforcing their learning and improving retention. A study conducted by PwC found that VR-based training was more effective in promoting emotional engagement and long-term retention than traditional training methods.

VR technology can also provide immersive and interactive experiences that effectively simulate real-world scenarios, creating opportunities for employees to learn from mistakes in a safe and controlled environment. For instance, VR can help employees understand unconscious biases, simulate diverse team dynamics, and practise respectful communication skills. These scenarios can be tailored to meet the specific needs of an organisation and its employees.

Key considerations when implementing VR in your DEI program

Our own experience has shown that VR training for DEI is best delivered with wrap-around training sessions that help people discuss their experiences in a psychologically safe environment. Face-to-face sessions are great for creating a sense of community and providing a safe space for discussion, but they can also be costly and logistically difficult. Remote sessions, on the other hand, can be more convenient and cost-effective, but may not provide the same level of interaction and engagement.

When choosing a VR headset, it is important to consider which one is most compatible with your organisation's existing technology infrastructure, so it can be easily integrated with your software and hardware. It is also worth thinking about how often you will deliver the training: regular sessions can help keep DEI at the forefront of employees' minds, but too frequent sessions may lead to a sense of burnout or disengagement.

Integrating VR technology into a DEI training program can be an effective way to improve engagement, increase retention, and foster empathy. It is important to approach it with a clear understanding of an organisation's needs, goals and limitations. With careful planning and consideration, VR training can make a real impact on DEI efforts.

Read about a peer-reviewed example of VR DEI training in practice on our research and evidence page, or see how PTR approaches immersive training and roleplay.