BSM’s innovative virtual reality (VR) instructor training course celebrates a successful first year.

It’s VR instructor training course launched in July 2020. The timing seems highly opportune with the arrival of Coronavirus. The course offered safe, socially-distant learning during the pandemic. But it is not just the timing that brought it success. The pass rates for new ADIs has also been above average.

Forward motion

Since its launch BSM has taught over 400 future driving instructors. The course has delivered more than 16,000 hours of training through a unique blend of in-car and classroom-based VR training.

The first VR trainees were taught in Bexley, South East London. Since then, BSM has gone on to deliver 48 courses.

One of its key strengths is accelerating the training process by virtually creating extra in car training. Being structured around three key aspects of teaching with theory, driving ability and instructional ability modules.

Highlights

In July BSM celebrated the pass rate for recent trainees with Part 1 Theory more than 35% higher than the DVSA national average*. The trend continued with BSM trainees taking Part 2 and Part 3 exams levelling 15% higher than the national average.

Earlier this year, BSM’s VR instructor training course also won Product of the Year in the 2021 Intelligent Instructor awards.

Mark Born, BSM’s Instructor Training Manager remarked that it had been “a challenging year”. The pandemic has made it difficult for everyone, let alone those involved in teaching of any kind. “We’re thrilled our pioneering course has enabled so many people to start a rewarding career despite the hurdles faced in the pandemic.

“Blending classroom training with VR headsets and in-car instruction sounded outlandish to some, but a year on we’ve got brilliant pass rates and hundreds of trainees who are now qualified driving instructors.

“We can’t wait to see what the future brings as we continue to modernise and develop our instructor training.”