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Throughout the energy , oil , and gas industries , securing qualified labor needed to maintain efficiency has been increasingly challenging over the last decade . Major boom and bust cycles have amplified the structuraldemographic problems that are working against recruiters , causing employers to look for more efficient ways to attract , assess , onboard , and upskill their talent .
Current challenges in the energy sector
Due in part to the level of specialized skill required , a growing skills gap and safety concerns , training and re-skilling for oil and gas employees continues to be a huge pain point for employers .
As many of the industries ’ most experienced and skilled employees prepare to retire , preserving their historical knowledge is of utmost importance . Their level of skill is not something that can be taught in a classroom , but rather through hands-on experience with the benefits of repetition and in-the-moment feedback . According to the Society for Human Resource Management , for all industries , the cost of training a new employee independent of industry is estimated at approximately $ 4125 . This cost is typically significantly higher for oil and gas employers , as roles often require work in high-risk environments like extreme weather conditions , with heavy machinery , at great heights , with heavy voltage equipment , at increased risk for exhaustion and fatigue as well as fire , explosion and more . Taking the higher risk into consideration , it can also be difficult to assess a trainee ’ s emotional response when using only legacy methods , leaving room for error when introduced to them in the field .
Benefits of AR / VR technology for training in the oil and gas industry
Virtual reality training solutions like those offered by Oberon Technologies ® capture tribal knowledge and increase the speed
and efficacy of training thereby reducing the odds of costly human error and safety and environmental hazards .
VR increases the safety of front-line workers and communities by having utilities personnel well trained and prepared for any emergency . For example , in a recent partnership with GTI Energy , a leading non-profit research and training organization focused on energy transition solutions , Oberon Technologies ® created a module designed to prepare trainees to ‘ make safe ’ the scene of an emergency to ensure the protection of life and property , while collaborating with emergency response teams .
The module uses a fully immersive virtual reality training course , integrated into overall training to increase trainee engagement , and improve overall retention by 80 percent or more . Scenarios address performing emergency operations , as defined by the emergency response plan and in compliance with federal regulations . A rig operator trainee can learn protocol to deal with an unexpected explosion , or a pipeline technician trainee can train on identifying potential leaks across a pipeline thousands of miles away from them .
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