The new VR (Virtual Reality) laboratory was launched in one of the laboratories of JSW Szkolenie i Górnictwo at the Borynia Section in Jastrzębie-Zdrój. The first group of new employees attended a series of fire safety and OSH training today. “The VR technology is a novelty that permits you to put an employee in a situation they have never experienced before and yet a possible one.”, says Aldona Urbanek, Manager of the Training and Adaptation Department at JSW Szkolenie i Górnictwo. “This is how a new employee gets an opportunity to learn solve specific problems or face challenges in safe conditions, e.g. during evacuation in the case of fire. There is no substitute for practical skills but the training shows what might arise when at work. We definitely prioritize crises because, firstly, they are rare, and secondly, certain actions must be taken quickly. Routine situations, on the other hand, are predictable.”  

The room equipped with thirteen stations will be used both for training new and old employees. As JSW SiG management declares, most of the new employees are young people, which has naturally given rise to interest in the VR technology. This is because the people at the beginning of their professional path are not unfamiliar with goggles that are to be put on the head and controllers. Also, everything is provided in a graphically attractive form. “We have various scenarios, e.g. concerning responses to threat. We have to point to the location of the fire extinguishing equipment, what needs to be done and how - all these elements are taught by the application,” describes Adam Stachowski from Studio VR Premium from Wrocław. “There is also competition here, every participant is awarded points for performing tasks.” 

Virtual reality has also one primary strength. It has an immense advantage over traditional training. According to research, the level of remembering the training using VR is as much as 70%, whereas a traditional lecture is remembered in merely 10%. “This is because virtual reality makes you experience some elements that you cannot experience on an everyday basis. It is their first day at work and the men we are training will be underground already today, even if only virtually,” concludes Adam Stachowski from Studio VR Premium from Wrocław.