Severn Trent’s VR Training Transformation

Severn Trent is one of the largest water companies in Britain, serving over eight million people with clean, safe drinking water daily. Alongside their commitment to environmental sustainability, they focus on the efficient treatment and safe return of water to the environment. As part of their ongoing efforts to improve employee skills, Severn Trent sought innovative methods to enhance their training programs, particularly in the area of presentation skills.

Previously, Severn Trent had been delivering training on presentation skills through traditional face-to-face methods, where employees would practice their skills in front of a live audience. While this approach was somewhat effective, it lacked the immersive and interactive elements needed for a more impactful learning experience. The primary goal was to find a solution that would offer a realistic, engaging environment for employees to practice their presentation skills and receive valuable feedback.

To address these challenges, Severn Trent turned to VirtualSpeech for a state-of-the-art Virtual Reality (VR) training platform. VirtualSpeech was chosen due to its ability to provide diverse, lifelike training scenarios, including TEDx-style theaters, lecture halls, and small meeting rooms. The platform’s VR capabilities allowed employees to practice their presentation skills in a variety of virtual settings, which simulated real-world scenarios.

Key features of VirtualSpeech included live feedback on crucial presentation elements such as eye contact, pacing, and the use of filler words. This feedback mechanism offered employees insights that were difficult to obtain from live presentations. Additionally, the platform allowed users to upload presentation slides, further enhancing the practice experience. The implementation of VirtualSpeech's VR training platform led to significant improvements in Severn Trent’s employee training programs. Employees responded positively to the immersive and engaging nature of the VR training, which made the learning process enjoyable and effective. The ability to practice in diverse scenarios and receive real-time feedback contributed to notable enhancements in their presentation skills.

The success of the VR training program generated considerable excitement among employees, leading to high enrollment rates and a waiting list for sessions. Learner satisfaction scores for the courses increased significantly as employees appreciated the effective, secure environment provided by VirtualSpeech for developing their presentation skills. Overall, the introduction of VR training with VirtualSpeech revitalized Severn Trent’s training initiatives, delivering both immediate and long-term benefits.