How virtual and augmented reality can enhance employee onboarding

By Jessica Martin

Slide decks. Manuals. Lectures. Keeping employee onboarding engaging can be a challenge. That’s one reason why many organizations turn to virtual or augmented reality to transform how employees learn. In fact, 65% of Fortune 500^® companies now use these technologies in some aspect of workforce training.

Virtual reality immerses employees in fully digital, interactive simulations, while augmented reality overlays digital elements onto the physical world. Together, they are reshaping the onboarding experience from day one.

Real-world practice, low-risk environment

A top advantage of using virtual or augmented reality in onboarding is the ability to practice real-world tasks without real-world consequences. New hires can navigate customer interactions, operate equipment or respond to safety scenarios using simulations before performing the tasks in the physical workplace. From healthcare to manufacturing to retail, mistakes become learning opportunities instead of costly setbacks.

Use augmented reality to provide step-by-step guidance layered onto physical equipment or environments. For example, a new hire might use an app to explore their workstation. When they point the camera at a machine or tool, the app recognizes what they’re looking at and delivers relevant information. Add incentives to increase engagement and add some fun. Give a trucker cap for completing a simulation or a drawstring sportpack for successfully finishing a series of safety scenarios.

Improved engagement and retention

Traditional onboarding often requires employees to absorb large amounts of information in a short amount of time. Immersive technology turns passive learning into an active experience. Virtual and augmented reality put employees at the center of scenarios, developing problem-solving and decision-making skills. That deeper engagement strengthens focus and improves understanding. In fact, studies show virtual reality can improve knowledge retention by up to 75%. When employees interact with content rather than simply seeing or hearing it, they’re more likely to remember and apply what they’ve learned once they step into their new role.

Enhance company connection

Onboarding isn’t just a matter of learning how to do a job. It’s also about building a sense of belonging. Virtual and augmented reality can introduce newcomers to a company culture in fun ways. For example, remote employees can experience a virtual tour of far-away facilities or listen to foundational leadership messages. These tools can bridge physical distances and create shared experiences. New hires can learn about their employers’ mission, vision and values in new and exciting ways—instead of simply reading about them in a handbook.

Celebrate the completion of a significant onboarding task (or the entire process) by giving new hires company swag, like crewneck sweatshirts or aluminum water bottles, to help them feel like part of the team.

Increased efficiency and scalability

Virtual and augmented reality can streamline onboarding by providing consistent training experiences across teams and locations. Instead of relying on individual trainers or in-person sessions, organizations can onboard multiple employees at the same time while maintaining the same quality, messaging and standards.

Develop immersive modules that can be deployed repeatedly without the need for travel or additional staffing. Roll out updates digitally to ensure materials stay current and new hires get the most up-to-date policies, processes and other information.

Accommodate different learning styles

Everybody learns differently. While some prefer hands-on practice, others like visual instruction. Virtual and augmented reality have the power to blend audio, visual and interactive elements into a single learning experience. Employees can see processes unfold, hear instructions and physically interact using virtual tools or overlays. This flexibility supports a variety of learning preferences, making onboarding more inclusive and effective. When training aligns with how people best learn, it improves comprehension and builds confidence. Support their tech-assisted journey by providing ear buds and cleaning cloths.

Embrace the realities of modern onboarding

Virtual and augmented reality are rapidly advancing technologies, redefining employee onboarding. By providing a low-risk training environment, improving retention, enhancing company connection, increasing efficiency and scalability, and accommodating different learning styles, these technologies can supplement traditional onboarding to help organizations prepare confident, capable employees from their first day on the job.

Jessica Martin

Jessica Martin is 4imprint’s merchandising planning manager with over 20 years of retail experience, 15 years of merchandising expertise and more than a decade in the promotional products industry. She ensures the right products get into customers’ hands through deep customer insight, trend awareness and seasonal analysis. Jessica is a key connection point between vendor relations, purchasing, and 4imprint’s end users, supporting programs across the Blue Box^® sample program, digital marketing, print and TV campaigns.

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