AR Training to Close the Skills Gap

By 2024, more than a quarter of the US workforce will either be of or rapidly approaching retirement age. As boomers exit the workforce in droves, experts are warning that key industry sectors like manufacturing and telecommunications will experience significant skills gaps as the holders of institutional knowledge begin to age out of these workforces. To survive, training needs to be reconceptualized. Augmented reality is likely to play a huge role in closing these skills gaps. By enhancing the world around the trainee, less experienced employees can participate in engaging, hands-on training that will accelerate their competencies and increase knowledge retention. Learning curves will be shortened and workforces will become more stable. AR also promises substantial benefits for hiring managers and others charged with onboarding new employees. By allowing new hires to “see what the experts see,” novices can quickly get up to speed. AR training isn’t some science-fiction fantasy either. Early adopters of this technology include Walmart, UPS, and Microsoft.