Designing Digitally
06/27/2018
Simulation training has its beginnings in the aviation field. Life and death are at stake when one is learning to fly an airplane. Similarly, it branched out into the areas of the military and medical professions.
Fast-forward to today. Simulation training is at work in a variety of fields, giving learners the benefit of practice that mimics real life. While some industries are more naturally aligned with simulations, virtually any field can reap the benefits of this type of training.
Below you can examine some of the industries that have been enriched by the use of simulation training:
Medical specialties and healthcare. A great amount of skill is required in this field. In most cases, on-the-job training isn’t possible because a mistake can have life-altering consequences. Simulations allow medical professionals to see and interact with procedures in a realistic way, without the risks associated with working on an actual patient.
Manufacturing. The machines that are a part of modern-day manufacturing have the potential to seriously harm an employee who makes even a simple mistake. Via simulations, workers can learn to safely operate equipment before actually putting their hands on the real thing. Managers can also monitor what’s happening in the hopes of heading off any potentially dangerous malfunctions or mishaps.
Military. This is yet another area where a mistake can have fatal results. Practicing maneuvers and gaining familiarity with weapons are just a few of the ways simulations help prepare soldiers and other military personnel for the rigors of their job.
Sales. Methods of benefits of simulation training abound in the area of sales. One of the most important areas of expertise required of salespeople is knowledge about their products. One type of simulation that is particularly helpful requires employees to virtually interact with the products to see the way they perform firsthand. Another focuses on the interpersonal skills necessary for dealing with potential clients.
Education. While this is a broad field, almost every area of education can benefit from the implementation of simulations. From schools to universities to corporations, interacting with the content is always advantageous.
Law enforcement. Law enforcement officers are expected to be ready for any situation. Simulations can prepare them for dangerous situations in a risk-free environment. They are able to learn how to search a suspect, read body language, or interrogate someone. Simulations can also be helpful for firearms training.
Truck driving. Many long-haul trucking firms are seeing a decrease in preventable accidents by training their drivers via simulation. They are also racking up more safe-driving miles. Like many of the fields on this list, a mistake in a semi-truck can have life-threatening consequences.
Real estate. Realtors can save time by virtually touring a home and assessing its appropriateness for a client. Simulations can also help them train new agents in the finer points of negotiating, or how to best interact with their potential clients.
This isn’t an exhaustive list of every industry that simulation training has a hand in, but rather a sampling of some that are seeing positive results from implementing