VR can accelerate skills training and cross-training because workers can practice MRO tasks anywhere, anytime without the actual equipment being physically present. PwC research suggests that 30% of US manufacturers are now using VR for training and/or product development. VR is also valuable for capturing and institutionalizing tribal knowledge from retiring Baby Boomers before their knowledge “leaves the building.”

VR doesn’t replace hands-on learning – it accelerates it because operators and technicians can spend tens (or hundreds) of hours of virtual task training in advance of laying hands on the actual equipment. Companies such as Intel are using VR and forecast a 300% ROI over 5 years, while Hyundai Transformers is using VR to increase training scores, worker retention, and recruitment of younger talent into heavy industry. BMW Group planners in construction, plant engineering, logistics and assembly are using VR to assess new production areas with production staff and test new processes in 3D. VR also helps improve training throughput as dozens (or hundreds) of workers can be simultaneously trained by remote SMEs without physical space limitations, travel delays, or availability of on-site SMEs.