Case Study:

Virtual Reality Training in Construction & Civil Engineering

Brian Perry Civil: Transforming Worksite Safety Training with Skills

About the Client

Brian Perry Civil (BPC), a division of Fletcher Construction, is a leading provider of ground engineering and civil construction services in New Zealand. BPC delivers technically complex projects across foundations, structural, and marine construction sectors. Ensuring safety, efficiency, and workforce competence on every site is a top priority.

Challenge

BPC faced a common industry challenge - delivering worksite safety training at scale. Traditional offsite sessions often meant pulling workers away from active projects, creating costly downtime and delays. Classroom-based instruction, while effective for covering theory, struggled to hold attention or translate lessons into practical, on-site behaviour. Rising costs from travel, training delivery, and the need to backfill staff added further pressure. At the same time, BPC wanted to explore innovative ways of raising training quality while making the process more efficient across multiple sites.
As Cheryl Reid, Learning & Development Manager, explained: “We have had great engagement from our teams when using VR. Many say they’ve gained a new appreciation for safety because the risks feel real, but they’re learning in a safe environment.”

Solution

BPC partnered with Skills VR to introduce an immersive and scalable VR training programme, delivered through the Skills VR Enterprise Platform. The platform allowed training to be managed centrally while giving workers the flexibility to learn on site. Instead of losing time travelling to offsite sessions, crews could complete modules right where they worked. The VR simulations brought safety risks to life in a controlled environment, helping participants translate theory into practical skills. Successful learners were instantly awarded digital Site Safe VR Passports, recognised across New Zealand construction sites, while real-time analytics gave managers clear insight into progress, competency, and engagement across the workforce.

VR Training Modules

The training itself covers some of the most critical risk areas in construction.

  1. Working at Heights – Practice equipment selection, correct usage, and safety responsibilities in realistic height scenarios.
  2. Site Safe – Immersive hazard training covering trench work, materials handling, and site safety, culminating in a digital Site Safe Passport.
  3. Confined Spaces – Staff safely explore enclosed work environments, equipment use, and risk mitigation through interactive VR simulations.

Impact in Action

VR training has delivered measurable improvements for Brian Perry Civil, strengthening safety outcomes while saving both time and money. The programme has already shown clear evidence of impact:

  • 30+ Site Safe VR Passports issued monthly.
  • $55,000 NZD annual savings in lost productivity.
  • Reduced time-to-competency – employees train faster and return to site sooner.
  • National recognition – BPC was a finalist in the Excellence in Production Innovation category at the 2023 Civil Contractors NZ Awards.

Feedback

  • Employees report heightened awareness and appreciation for safety.
  • Trainers observe stronger engagement and knowledge retention.
  • Leadership notes improved operational efficiency and workforce confidence.

Results that Matter

The success of the programme comes from combining realistic, engaging training experiences with systems that scale across the business. By blending immersion, efficiency, and measurable outcomes, BPC has built a model that is both practical and impactful:

  1. Immersion drives learning – realistic scenarios make hazards feel tangible, improving retention and practical application.
  2. Onsite delivery improves efficiency – workers train without leaving the jobsite, reducing downtime and costs.
  3. Scalable enterprise systems – centralised learner management and analytics ensure consistent quality across multiple sites.
  4. Recognition reinforces adoption – digital credentials and industry awards highlight the programme’s value and encourage wider buy-in.

What’s Next

Brian Perry Civil is now building on the success of its VR programme by taking ownership of development and expanding its scope. With the Skills VR Content Creation Kit (CCK), the team can create and update modules in-house, cutting development time and costs while keeping content closely aligned to real project needs.

  • In-house module creation and updates – using the Skills VR Content Creation Kit (CCK), BPC can now develop and revise VR training modules internally, significantly reducing development time and costs.
  • New modules that cover emerging operational risks and more complex site scenarios.
  • Continuous scenario updates to reflect changing project layouts, equipment, and regulatory standards.
  • Wider adoption – potential application across other Fletcher Construction divisions or allied contractors.
    The programme has clearly moved beyond a proof of concept. It now stands as an enterprise-wide proof of value - improving safety culture, operational efficiency, and workforce confidence while giving BPC full control over how its VR training evolves in the future.