Virtual Reality Lab transforming manufacturing training at GE Appliances

Students invited to experience the advanced technology firsthand

One student pointed to the floor. Another seemed to be staring straight at the wall.

"It takes a second to get used to,” someone nearby said with a smile.

Donning black headsets with thick goggles covering their eyes and maneuvering small controllers in their hands as if they were playing a video game, a group of Doss High School juniors took turns using virtual reality to drive forklifts, operate robots, and practice a series of safety procedures performed every day on the manufacturing floors at GE Appliances (GEA).

“It’s really cool,” said Doss student Charles Malone. “This allows you to do things that could potentially be dangerous. Here’s where you learn how to do them properly before they’re a hazard.”

The students, who are enrolled in the manufacturing career pathway at Doss, were invited to Appliance Park for the opening of the company’s new VR lab inside the Manufacturing Training Center. They joined several GEA co-ops, talent development program participants, and employees Wednesday to get a firsthand look at the lab and to try out the advanced technology. 

“Learning is going virtual,” said Tamara Cook, associate learning specialist for supply chain HR. “To be able to experience procedures, such as lock out/tag out, in the virtual world where you can learn and make mistakes before you go out and try them is so important. This is cutting-edge technology.”

Cook said the idea to build the VR lab emerged in October of last year, around the same time that GEA constructed a fully operational manufacturing assembly demonstration line at Doss, where the company serves as a business partner.

While the new lab on the Appliance Park campus will be used primarily for training employees, GEA Manufacturing Workforce Development leaders said allowing students to also experience the lab is one more important opportunity to expose them to manufacturing careers.  

“It’s a great way for us to help them realize that what they’re doing in the classroom is applicable in the real environment where they can get jobs,” said Valorie Hughes, senior manager for supply chain HR. “We’re unleashing the potential of new technology and helping the students see that as well.”

Over the next few weeks, Hughes and her team will be connecting with even more area high schools as part of their outreach efforts to strengthen the manufacturing workforce pipeline.

And if the experiences of the Doss High School students are any indication, their work is already paying off.

“It’s honestly really fun,” Doss student Michael Hornback said. “It actually gives us a look of what we’re going to be doing at GE Appliances. I’m looking forward to working here.”

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