4 Key Reasons why 5G can Revolutionize Workplace Training

There are few emerging technologies that have gained as much attention as 5G in recent years. As the fifth generation of mobile wireless connectivity, the widespread adoption of 5G promises significantly faster data transfer speeds that may open the door to a workplace revolution in how employees undergo training. 

While 5G represents an evolutionary step beyond the fourth generation of mobile connectivity, the increases in transfer speeds are wholly game-changing. With the pace of data transfers accelerating by between 10 to 100 times, the arrival of 5G promises to be transformative for businesses on a large scale. 

As the technology matures, 5G has the potential to challenge how we view the modern workplace. Even in the age of hybrid working, the interconnectivity that can be delivered for a virtual workplace can change the way we collaborate and manage tasks while at work. 

“Since we launched our 5G network, we’ve seen an explosion of innovation in the businesses we work with,” said ​​John Vickery, Enterprise CTIO at BT. “Mixed reality is just one example of the impact new technology can have on business.”

“I think it could be particularly useful for small businesses. You don’t need to hire an in-house expert or pay for expensive training, as mixed reality will support your team during every step.”

It’s in 5G’s ability to effectively transform employee training that we can see 5G at its best. In improving essential business processes in unconventional ways, enterprises of all sizes can see the potential that this new technological frontier holds. Let’s take a deeper look into the many ways that 5G can actively transform the training, development, and onboarding of employees: 

Thriving in the Age of Remote Work

The emergence of 5G will come with direct benefits for the acceleration of digital transformation and the growth of remote work. While some businesses have been hesitant to make the transition towards more hybrid working models, 5G has the power to deliver benefits to both employees and employers alike. 

With 5G will come greater speed and reliability, making essential processes like video conferencing and instant messaging far more seamless. It can also open the door for the sharing of greater volumes of data instantly. 

Although the notion of WFH and remote work are generally confined to the office roles of today, 5G has the potential to bring remote capabilities to blue-collar workers and those in the service sector. For instance, factory workers could have the opportunity to inspect and monitor system performance and processes in a remote manner but in real-time. Furthermore, healthcare workers will be capable of monitoring the health of their patients through wearable technology. 

Although such advancements in hybrid workplaces will require plenty of computational power, we’re already seeing equipment and devices grow to accommodate greater levels of data transfer. Through Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro Max, the cutting-edge smartphone features Apple’s A16 Bionic chipset, which is a processor powerful enough to stage high-bandwidth team calls and data-rich collaboration.

Opening the Door to Mixed Reality Training

Mixed reality technology like augmented reality and virtual reality can be a great tool for delivering realistic training experiences in just about any location. Where 4G connectivity was too primitive to keep up the pace of the high bandwidth required to make mixed reality training work, 5G can empower educators in aiding employees to experience more immersive training.

One particular strength in mixed reality training is the ability to use AR to overlay instructions to aid training on complex machinery or in high-risk job roles. This can help to minimize instances of costly human error in manufacturing industries or in managing the health of patients. 

We’re already seeing examples of AR tools helping to deliver greater accuracy for workers hoping to learn on the job, and in healthcare, AccuVein is a piece of hardware that can project augmented images of a patient’s veins for greater accuracy in procedures. 

For enterprises, 5G powered augmented and virtual reality training can help employees to learn in a more immersive manner through IoT connections from just about any learning environment. Data suggests that the adoption of mixed reality technologies powered by 5G not only has the potential to reduce travel costs for trainees, but it can also boost employee retention rates by as much as 90% thanks to obtaining greater levels of competency. 

Welcoming Artificial Intelligence into the Workplace

The connectivity speeds presented by 5G means that artificial intelligence applications can improve just about every aspect of HR, including the onboarding process. One of the ways that AI can aid human resources is through automated onboarding processes like document processing and data-driven analytical analysis of employee survey feedback. 

These attentive automated processes can help businesses to deliver more personalized training programs for employees to learn in areas that are most important to their weaknesses. 

Although many of these advancements may seem like something for businesses to consider at a later date, it pays to begin making preparations for 5G-driven processes today. In adapting quickly to the rapidly expanding growth of 5G, businesses can take on the right talent and nurture them in a more cost-effective and impactful manner today–paving the way for greater growth tomorrow.