Soft skills and technical expertise cannot be taught solely using theory. When it comes to safety, practical procedures, or complex tasks, training formats that are truly relevant to everyday life are required. This is precisely where TÜV NORD Akademie focuses on immersive learning methods.
In conversation with Lynn Böhsl, Co-Lead of the Immersive Learning Task Force at TÜV NORD Akademie, it becomes clear why virtual reality and digital practical training play a central role in continuing education today and how 3spin Learning supports the design of learning modules that are scalable, measurable, and practical.
Lynn Böhsl: TÜV NORD Akademie was founded over 40 years ago to train company employees to safely handle technical equipment, especially in the areas of machine safety and occupational safety. Now, we also offer training in a wider range of topics, such as management and corporate development.
However, it is essential, especially in technical training courses, that participants really learn on the job. One example is the training of forklift truck inspectors. If you spend two days just looking at what needs to be inspected on a screen, it often doesn't stick. After all, it's the details that matter, such as hydraulic hoses or chain links.
Lynn Böhsl: We have identified three major disadvantages. First, when 10 people are standing around a forklift, perhaps only three are actually actively involved. Some are listening, others are standing further away or are distracted.
Secondly, weather conditions play a major role. In hot weather, rain, or snow, concentration quickly wanes.
And thirdly, we have 16 locations and a large webinar business. However, practical exercises are not possible everywhere, and certainly not online. This limited our offering and often meant that customers had to travel long distances.
Lynn Böhsl: Exactly. We wanted to create a way to set up this practice so that it could take place anywhere, including digitally. Virtual reality offers exactly that. One of our first training courses was for forklift truck inspectors. We worked with 3spin Learning to analyze what we could contribute and what could be realistically implemented in VR.
This added enormous value. One example: our Berlin location is right next to Checkpoint Charlie. You can't just park a forklift outside there. In VR, every participant now even has their own forklift.
Lynn Böhsl: As a TÜV, we have very high quality standards. We saw the same standards at 3spin Learning: they make sure that the content is really high quality. Another big point was the platform. We can not only outsource training, but also view it ourselves, make minor changes, and even create content independently in the future. This individuality was decisive for us.
And, of course, cooperation also plays a role. The team is committed and cooperative. That makes a difference in the long term.
Lynn Böhsl: Absolutely. Immersive learning is a major driver of the future in the continuing education sector. We want to be pioneers and create more digital and immersive learning opportunities.
To do this, you need a partner who is deeply knowledgeable about the subject and can accompany you on this step into the future. With 3spin Learning, it quickly became clear that we wanted to enter into a long-term partnership.
We are already growing together. It's wonderful to see what we have achieved in the last two years.
Lynn Böhsl: Yes. We went live in 2025. Last year, we trained a total of around 9,000 participants using immersive learning. In the hard skills area, we currently use around 50 training modules that complement our seminars.
The feedback has been amazingly positive. In our surveys (star scale from 1 to 6), we average 5 out of 6 points. Participants clearly see the added value and appreciate our innovative strength. It was also important to us that they feel confident in using technology that is still new to many. We have provided intensive training and support to our customer management team, and it's paying off! We also received 5 out of 6 stars for the introduction. Our teams on site can be particularly proud of this.
Lynn Böhsl: No, and that's a big benefit. Around 7,500 participants wore VR headsets. But we also have a large online campus and offer our seminars as webinars as well. Around 1,500 people used the training courses last year during a webinar in their browser. That has also been very well received. The digital practical training breaks up the seminar day and offers all participants the opportunity to anchor what they have heard more deeply.
What's special about the training courses developed with 3spin Learning is that although they are designed for VR headsets, they can also be used in a browser. This allows all our participants to repeat the training in their browser at any time after the course via a link. This promotes repetitive learning and helps to build routine.
Lynn Böhsl: Many appreciate the safe environment. They can practice without colleagues or supervisors watching. Mistakes are allowed, explained, and can be corrected immediately.
This positive error culture is a major advantage over traditional classroom exercises, where often only the same people come to the front or the scenarios are very prescriptive and do not fit in with individual work routines.
Lynn Böhsl: We have seen how well integration works in existing courses. Now we want to go further and develop stand-alone training courses. Customers can use these small learning libraries flexibly, even without a seminar.
For example, in the health care sector: How do I calm patients? How do I organize processes? How do I deliver bad news? This opens up completely new possibilities.
Our talk with Lynn Böhsl shows how immersive learning formats can transform continuing education and team development: more practical experience, more scalability, more security, and measurably better learning experiences.
3spin Learning supports organizations in making training not only more digital, but above all more effective.
As co-lead of the Immersive Learning Taskforce at TÜV NORD Akademie, Lynn Böhsl drives the strategic development of innovative learning formats. In her role, she is responsible for expanding VR and AI-supported training courses to make continuing education more practical, scalable, and future-proof.