Background
Brian Perry Civil (BPC), a division of Fletcher Construction, is one of New Zealand's leading providers of ground engineering and civil construction services, delivering complex projects across foundations, structural, and marine sectors at sites throughout the country. With a large distributed workforce operating in high-risk environments, BPC faced a persistent challenge: getting safety training to workers efficiently without pulling them off active projects.
Traditional classroom-based instruction required staff to travel offsite, creating costly downtime and delays. Covering theory was manageable, but translating lessons into practical on-site behaviour proved harder. Travel, backfilling, and training delivery costs added further pressure as the programme scaled.
The Deployment
BPC partnered with SkillsVR to introduce a VR training programme delivered through the SkillsVR Platform. The platform manages training centrally while allowing workers to complete modules directly on site using standalone VR headsets, removing the need for offsite travel. Simulations place trainees in realistic construction hazard scenarios, helping them build practical skills in a controlled environment. On successful completion, workers are instantly awarded digital Site Safe VR Passports recognised across New Zealand construction sites. Real-time analytics give managers insight into progress, competency, and engagement across the workforce.
About the VR Site Safe Foundation Passport: This is an immersive hazard training covering trench work, materials handling, and site safety, with digital credential issuance on completion. The module compresses a traditional six-hour course into approximately one hour.
Outcomes
The programme has delivered clear, measurable results. More than 30 Site Safe VR Passports are issued monthly, representing verified competency recognised across New Zealand construction sites. BPC reports annual savings of NZD 55,000 in lost productivity, alongside reduced time-to-competency as workers return to site faster after completing training. Staff and trainers report stronger engagement and knowledge retention compared to classroom-based methods, and leadership notes improved operational efficiency and workforce confidence.
The programme's innovation was recognised nationally when BPC was named a finalist in the Excellence in Production Innovation category at the 2023 Civil Contractors NZ Awards.
