Across Aotearoa (New Zealand), too many high school students feel detached from learning. They’re unsure of where their education is taking them, what their future might hold, or how anything they’re learning now connects with real jobs. They may lack confidence, direction, or the practical skills needed to succeed after school. This can lead to early school leavers or young people entering the workforce with no clear goal and no real preparation.

According to the Education Review Office (ERO), around 1 in 5 students in Years 9–13 are not actively engaged in their learning (Education Review Office, 2022). Māori and Pasifika students face even greater challenges, with Māori students having the highest early leaving rate (17.6%) compared to Pākehā (7.1%) (Ministry of Education, 2023). While NCEA Level 2 is often considered the minimum requirement for further education and employment, many students leave school without attaining it.

The Skills^VR Schools Programme, delivered alongside MyMahi and supported by MSD, was created to help fix that. Over 12 secondary schools and more than 120 students took part, using Virtual Reality headsets to dive into virtual workplaces, explore different career options, and learn practical life skills that aren't usually taught in school.

The Challenge

Many rangatahi (young people) don’t see a future for themselves in what they’re being taught. Subjects can feel disconnected from the real world. On top of that, students often don’t know what career options exist beyond the basics. They also lack access to hands-on opportunities to build core workplace behaviours like managing conflict, staying calm under pressure, or talking to customers in tough situations.

The VR Experiences

Inside a headset, the classroom disappears. Students are transported to construction sites, fast food counters, hotels, farms, and more. They learn how to spot hazards, calm down angry customers, work under time pressure, and communicate clearly, all without ever leaving the classroom. The learning is practical, fast-paced, and delivered in bite-sized, immersive scenarios.

Students train in areas like mental wellness, financial literacy, and conflict management, essential skills for adulthood and employment. The experience gives them space to make decisions, fail safely, and try again.

Feedback from Students

Feedback from students aged 15–18 was loud and clear: this kind of learning works.

These are strong numbers. For half the students to leave a one-hour session with a clearer idea of a possible career path is significant. And the high levels of reported engagement and focus suggest that VR is offering something that regular lessons aren’t.

What the Teachers Noticed

Teachers saw a shift too. They said students were more engaged than usual, more focused, and more willing to talk about their learning.

"They were totally engaged and focused - but at the same time animated and were interacting with the programme - some quietly and others depending on their personalities far more vocal and demonstrative."

- Brigid Hayes - St Peters College

"The hook-in from the start was phenomenal; students listened to the brief instructions, knew they could ask questions, and received help when they asked. I see how this will revolutionise learning for learners. The ease with which students picked up the technology, stayed focused and engaged showed how purposeful the learning experiences on VR were."

-Therese King - Mākoura College

"Students had the opportunity to select and then delve deeply into the skills and tasks required for a vast range of different careers. This was a unique and remarkably successful Careers experience for students!"

- Carl McIntyre - Totara College

Teachers also said the VR setting helped students who might normally feel whakamā (shy or embarrassed) to explore and engage in a way that felt safer and more personal.

Digital Badges: Real Proof of Real Skills

Students who completed a VR module received a digital badge via email. These badges link to clear information about what the student learned and what they’re now capable of doing. They can be added to a CV or MyMahi profile, giving employers a quick and trustworthy way to see whether someone has relevant experience or skills.

This matters. For young people with little or no work history, a digital badge can be a starting point. It shows effort, initiative, and achievement in a way that’s simple for employers to understand.

Final Thoughts

The Skills^VR Schools Programme is helping make learning feel real again. Students are discovering new careers, building skills that employers value, and feeling more confident in themselves and their future.

Education isn't one-size-fits-all, and it doesn’t always have to mean sitting at a desk. Sometimes it means working a shift in a virtual restaurant, calming down a digital customer, or learning how to breathe through conflict, all while wearing a headset. And for these 120 students, it meant seeing a future they hadn’t considered before.

Want to incorporate VR learning into your school?

At Skills^VR, we transform learning into an engaging and enjoyable experience. Our VR training solutions are cost-effective, easy to implement, and scalable to meet your needs. Backed by a team of world-leading experts in immersive learning, we're dedicated to ensuring exceptional training outcomes to elevate your organization’s potential. Join us in unlocking the future of training and achieving impactful results.