As it prepares for the opening of the new, expanded facilities, Oslo Airport has turned to video game technology to train its employees and get them ready to navigate the new terminals.
- Almost 23,000 employees will be using a 3D game to explore various situations in the airport area.
The video game training program was launched on September 15 and works on both iPad and Android tablets.
The video follows various storylines with specific tasks to solve, in a realistic environment. It gives staff a chance to run through various service and operations scenarios and acquire knowledge which would help them tackle real-life situations.
A video simulation follows:
“As it takes place in a highly realistic setting, simulation based training is a very effective way of learning and adapting new behaviours. It is also a way of making training more enjoyable,” says managing director of Oslo Airport Øyvind Hasaas.
Customer service, security and team spirit are key elements of the game, and employees earn points for solving the various tasks, which introduces a competitive element as staff try to outperform colleagues.
“Previous use of video game technology in training shows that many people complete the training program several times because they want to do better the next time,” says Hasaas.
Though it is fun and games, the video training program is also serious business. The course is mandatory for all individuals who hold an ID card for Oslo Airport.
“In addition to the mandatory completion of the various game levels, a more traditional course will be held by authorised personnel. We are convinced that the employees will in sum receive a training programme that will help achieve one of Europe’s best airports in the future,” Hasaas says.