Virtual Reality: The Future of Maintenance Training

The Multi-Family industry is currently struggling with what the National Apartment Association calls “The Great Resignation- people’s post-pandemic priorities have shifted and their current jobs just aren’t cutting it anymore.” According to NAA, the average onsite turnover in our industry is 40% so 4 out 10 of your service team members are new, yearly. This means that there will be a 19% increase of open maintenance technician roles by 2030. Therefore, the multifamily industry has turned to e-learning an essential component in training.

“Users who train with VR training have 90% higher recall of the information presented compared to 78% with computer-based training.” -University of Maryland

For management companies and their maintenance teams, virtual reality training programs have become the new training tool of the future. The pandemic created a hiring crisis where the need for skilled workers far outpaces the pool of qualified candidates. Simply, Management companies and apartment communities are left hiring inexperienced workers who need training and training fast!  With the skills gap widening, virtual reality training programs are here to offer a quick solution. Most of the industries maintenance workers learn from hands-on experience. They wait for a problem to present itself and usually by trial and error fix it, costing time and money. Virtual training actually creates immersive three-dimensional environments where maintenance technicians can test their new skills without consequence to themselves, tenants, instructors, or equipment. It offers a safety net for the one thing every human does: make mistakes. Imagine testing a heating element on a dryer or a pump on a water line and not having to worry about setting the apartment building on fire or flooding. According to PIXOVR statistics, VR programs have an 80% improvement rate in user learning retention, 70% greater efficiency in movement and measurements, and trainees have 2.75 times more confidence in taking action on what they have learned. They can also practice crisis management skills outside of high-stress situations. Many multifamily virtual reality programs offer training in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical at the levels of beginner, immediate, and advanced.