Virtual Reality helps students build skills for the modern workplace

Earlier this year Bodyswaps partnered with 5 Further Education colleges as part of a Ufi VocTech Trust initiative to see how a 15-minute immersive module could help students develop a career mindset to transition them into the world of work.

LONDON, July 6, 2021

Following the completion of a groundbreaking study with students at 5 FE colleges, results published today show that 81% of students would recommend the experience to peers. Nearly 73% were able to identify ways to improve their skills upon completion. 78% of students rated the experience as effective.

It has become a familiar refrain in recent years that young people leaving education lack the soft skills that employers require. But with many businesses disinvesting in graduate development, while still reliant on Covid-era home working, employers need work-ready recruits more now than ever before.

Career Mindset Development is a 15-minute interactive learning simulation designed as part of a Ufi VocTech Trust initiative in collaboration with teachers and careers counsellors from Harlow College, Writtle University College, South Essex College, Bridgend College, and Sandwell College to give young people guidance and feedback on:

• Building self-awareness

• Taking the initiative when talking to people you don’t know

• Making a positive impact at work

• Communicating ideas clearly and with confidence.

The simulation was piloted by the colleges between 1 March and 30 April 2021. Highlights of the results can be seen in this infographic.

“This study shows that FE institutions and their students welcome VR learning as a means to engage learners in preparation for joining the workplace, to build excitement for learning and ultimately raise the bar when it comes to setting students up for professional success,” said Bodyswaps CEO Christophe Mallet.

Following on from the success of Career Mindset Development, Bodyswaps has partnered with 8 colleges to trial the Job Interview Simulator, its most innovative and ambitious project yet.

About Bodyswaps
Bodyswaps is an award-winning immersive learning platform designed to deliver lasting behavioural change. Their VR solutions create a safe space where learners can practise soft skills, with AI-enabled analytical feedback to accelerate personal development. Since 2019, London-based Bodyswaps has helped a wide range of organisations deliver measurable value by building more empathic workplaces and fostering greater inclusivity.

For more information, explore our website and follow us: Linkedin (Bodyswaps) and Twitter (Bodyswaps_VR).

Press contact
Sabine Maerky
87-91 Hackney Road
E2 8FE, London, United Kingdom
sabine@bodyswaps.co

Bodyswaps launches job interview simulator designed for the education sector

Bodyswaps launches its much anticipated job interview simulator next month. The first-of-its-kind VR solution covers a range of approved strategies and techniques as well as 75+ interview questions to help students prepare for their all-important job interview. This includes anything from character to behavioural questions, how to manage interview anxiety and craft winning answers. Find out more about our partnership programme and register your interest here.

The (VR)² Project = Vocational Rehabilitation x Virtual Reality

How Virtual Reality transforms vocational rehabilitation

LONDON, March 31, 2021

Bodyswaps has partnered with Viability, Link To VR, CleanBox and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC) to deliver Project (VR)², a virtual reality training initiative designed to provide vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities and other societal disadvantages. This first-of-its-kind VR project will help an under-served population build the vital skills required to advance their ability to gain and maintain employment. 

As part of the programme, individuals are invited to take part in immersive simulations where they embody virtual characters and practise their skills in realistic workplace scenarios. This includes practising classic job interview questions and learning to communicate a request with impact and clarity. 

The simulations have been created by Bodyswaps, a London-based Edtech start-up specialised in soft skills training. Bodyswaps leverages VR and AI to empower learners to practise autonomously, in a safe environment and, uniquely, to watch themselves back from a new perspective. 

As Kristin Rotas, Viability’s director, put it “In VR learners are able to take risks and try new things without the fear of judgement. It’s helping them overcome their fears, build confidence, gain skills, and begin to advocate for themselves.”

For Bodyswaps’ CEO Christophe Mallet, "The emotional impact of VR is what gets people engaged but it's this approach of encouraging exploration through mistakes and self-reflection that really builds the confidence necessary to change one's behavior. That ultimately is what will make the difference in an interview or unexpected work situation.”

With (VR)², Viability can give its members with disabilities a chance to break the barriers to employment access and inclusion. This can change their outlook on earning a living, having a sense of purpose and, more generally, contribute to societal equity.

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About the partners

Partners of the virtual collaborative include Link To VR, Bodyswaps, CleanBox and the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC).

Through the help of firms such as Link To VR and CleanBox, Viability has safely deployed the VR project in the midst of Covid-19. CleanBox uses UVC rays to eradicate 99.99% of viruses, bacteria, and fungi, essentially decontaminating the headset for reuse.

To help manage the deployment, Viability called on Link To VR, a leading spatial computing company with offices in Boston, MA. 

To learn more about Project (VR)2, contact Kristin Rotas at Viability, krotas@viability.org, or register here to attend a complimentary online event highlighting the collaborative effort on May 25 at 4:30pm (GMT).

About Viability

Viability is a community-based human-services agency providing employment services, vocational and life-skills training, and other supports to more than 4,000 individuals across five US states. Viability partners with more than 600 employers and leverages community resources to overcome barriers with a mission of helping to build a world where individuals with disabilities and other disadvantages can realise their full potential.

About Bodyswaps

Bodyswaps is an award-winning immersive learning platform designed to deliver lasting behavioural change. Bodyswaps’ VR solutions create a safe space where learners can practise soft skills, with AI-enabled analytical feedback to accelerate personal development. Since 2019, London-based Bodyswaps has helped a wide range of organisations deliver measurable value by building more empathic workplaces and fostering greater inclusivity.

For more information, visit www.bodyswaps.co or follow us: Linkedin (BODYSWAPS) and Twitter (BODYSWAPS_VR). 

Press contact

Sabine Maerky

87-91 Hackney Road

E2 8FE, London, United Kingdom

sabine@bodyswaps.co