Virtual World of Technical Training (Türk Traktör)

VR-based technical training labs improving safety, inclusion, and learning outcomes for blue-collar workers, including employees with hearing impairments.

Timeline
2017-2022
Countries involved
Flag of Türkiye
Türkiye
Partners & funders
European Union Erasmus+ Programme
Funder
Turkish Employment Agency (İŞKUR) Grant Programme for Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities
Funder
GAN Türkiye
Partner
Turkish Confederation of Employer Associations (TISK)
Partner
Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Labour and Social Security
Partner
Hacettepe University
Partner
What we did

In collaboration with Türk Traktör, TİSK and GAN Turkiye supported the creation of Virtual Reality (VR) Technical Training Labs across two factories, offering 12 immersive modules that give blue‑collar workers a safe, hands‑on learning experience without production risks.

Traditional training methods relied on theoretical explanations and instructor demonstrations, leaving trainees to perform tasks for the first time in real operational environments, which increased the risk of accidents and quality issues. The challenge was even greater for employees with hearing impairments, who often could not be trained effectively on technical tasks or OHS risks and were therefore confined to low‑risk, low‑skill roles.

Guided by the 70‑20‑10 Learning Model and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences, TİSK, GAN Turkiye, and Türk Traktör designed an innovative VR environment enabling repeated practice, stronger retention, and significantly higher engagement. A landmark achievement was the integration of technical sign language terminology into VR modules, making the training fully accessible to deaf and hard‑of‑hearing employees for the first time in Türkiye’s manufacturing sector.

Outcomes
  1. First use of VR for vocational and technical training of employees and interns in the automotive industry in Türkiye.
  2. First VR-based vocational training modules for operators and interns.
  3. First large-scale experimental academic study on VR in technical training (published internationally).
  4. Safer, more effective technical training, allowing employees to practice repeatedly without exposure to real world operational risks.
  5. Higher learning retention and engagement, supported by immersive VR, interactivity, and practice-based design aligned with the 70 20 10 model and learning science.
  6. Pioneering inclusion for hearing-impaired employees, through the development and integration of technical sign language terminology into VR modules and a comprehensive initiative dedicated to their technical development.
  7. Academic and international validation, including a large-scale experimental study on VR in technical education, resulting in an internationally published article in a peer-reviewed journal.
  8. Technology transfer to Europe, with VR based technical training adopted by schools in Poland, Hungary, and Italy through the project.
Evidence & Outputs
Publication
The Effect of Virtual Reality Technology on Learning in Technical Education, Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering (Springer):
Video
VR-based technical training modules and content (Assembly, Lean Manufacturing, OHS Risk Analysis, Basic Machining, Logistics)
Video
360° factory tour videos developed for customers
Webpage
Erasmus+ Good Practice Example
Image

An Erasmus+ project was carried out with the aim of developing the VR-based training content used in the main project and investigating its impact on learning. Coordinated by Hacettepe University, the project involved an experimental study with the participation of 112 blue-collar workers employed at TürkTraktör factories. This collaborative study between the university and the company not only analyzed experimental results but also monitored worker-induced quality errors on the production floor to validate the outcomes of the experimental research.

Hacettepe University