Episode 5

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Published on:

17th May 2021

Joe Mansfield (SureSkills) - The Rise of Virtual Labs

My guest this week is our very own Joe Mansfield, who heads up our Virtual Labs team as the lead technical content developer here at SureSkills.

Joe and his team are building virtual lab training for some of the world’s leading organizations, and I thought it would be cool to have him on to discuss what has become a highly sought-after service.

Joe and his team, and virtualized labs generally, have revolutionized lab training in some ways.  

Hands-on lab training was historically challenging for a number of reasons. They required extensive, costly set-up, endless machine maintenance, a rigid, in-person schedule, a lack of instructor oversight. All of this meant they were impossible to scale and frustratingly impractical and really expensive.

Joe and his team, however, have created an antidote to basically all of the historical challenges of lab-based training. They build cloud-native virtual labs that are available anytime, anywhere, and are infinitely scalable, all while providing an enhanced learning experience. And of course, they cater to the increasingly remote nature of workplaces and workplace training.

They have built some high profile labs for high-profile companies, these virtual labs are becoming hugely popular. I thought it would be cool to have Joe on to chat about some of the ways he and his team think about the service they provide.

In our chat, we talk about the basics, and Joe gives us an overview of why these virtual labs are in such high demand.

We discuss:

  • the basics of virtual labs
  • how virtual labs provide immersive learning experiences
  • the ability to replicate real environments to enhance retention of information
  • how tracking facilitates real learning
  • all the ways virtual labs can be used as a scalable tool
  • the challenges of satisfying learners through technical training
  • allowing people to shine and show their skills through challenge labs

If you'd like to learn more about virtual labs you can head over to our website, and if you'd like to talk with one of our learning experts we offer free initial consultations to explore if virtual labs may be right for you.

To get in touch with me, Simon Behan, reach out on LinkedIn or email me at simon.behan@sureskills.com

Thanks for listening!

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About the Podcast

SureSkills Learn to Grow Podcast
When change is inevitable, learning and growth are essential.
The Learn to Grow Podcast is an anecdotal look at the learning landscape aimed at L&D and HR professionals. I interview leaders in learning about their experience first-hand in the world of learning and development helping people and organizations reach their potential. We discuss top trends including learning technology, the role of learning cultures, and the foundations of a successful learning experience.

We believe learning and growth are intertwined, both for individuals and organizations. Individuals learn to grow within their roles, careers, and personal lives. Organizations' learning programs are now major contributors to business success, helping them attract and retain top talent, upskill and reskill, and adapt to the inevitable changes the future will bring. In this podcast, we speak to leaders in the learning and development industry about the learning landscape.

About your host

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Simon Behan

Learning is the thread that runs through my personal and professional passions. I believe continuous learning and growth is the key to a fulfilling and rewarding life.

As a Learning and Content Specialist at SureSkills, I work with the teams across our entire business (from digital content development to competency-based learning to learning technology support) to make sure our services are meeting our clients where they are. That means staying on top of current trends in the industry, building relationships with leaders who experience these trends on a daily basis, and continuing to learn and grow myself.

As the host of the SureSkills Learn to Grow Podcast, I interview leaders in learning about their experience first-hand helping people and organizations reach their potential. We discuss top trends including learning technology, the role of learning cultures, and the foundations of a successful learning experience.