Virtual Reality Training for Generation Y Blue Collars

TürkTraktör, the joint venture between CNH Industrial and Koç Holding, recently announced the results of a pioneering Virtual Reality (VR) Training Lab for blue collar employees at its Ankara and Erenler plants. This specific VR lab is the result of a European Union-funded research project carried out by Hacettepe University. It was first implemented in 2018 and is the first of its kind in the academic community.

With a young and dynamic workforce, with an average age of 33, this innovative VR teaching method is proving to be an ideal option. After over a year of trials, the University’s study data measured a learning effect of 81% and a downward trend in human error of 89% on the TürkTraktör production lines.

TürkTraktör's ‘Virtual Reality Training Laboratories’ present an inclusive learning platform dedicated to providing equal learning opportunities for the development of all employees, particularly supporting the professional and technical development of the hearing-impaired. The training also provides rotation opportunities to provide employees with the experience of working on different production lines and in different departments.

Employees participating in the VR program first undergo didactic training in 2D and 3D environments where they learned about topics relating to Occupational Health & Safety and Quality. In the applicational part of the training, each employee performs tasks with the help of VR glasses. Whilst one student is carrying out their training, the other participants can follow along on a 2D screen. In May 2018, more than 400 field employees, including those with hearing impairments, received training in eight different areas.

Following the successful implementation and results seen at TürkTraktör, the project has attracted a great deal of interest from other companies in the automotive and metal industries in Turkey. Many of these companies have begun working to implement similar training projects based on TürkTraktör’s program. Furthermore, a number of European countries are now looking to adopt the same project at manufacturing facilities in their nations.