Augmented and Virtual Reality Training and Its Contribution to Safety Behaviour Readiness: A Descriptive Evaluation of the SMITAC Programme

This study examines workforce readiness towards Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality based safety training implemented under the SMITAC programme. Despite growing interest in immersive technologies within high-risk industries, empirical evidence on user readiness in the electrical utility context remains limited. A descriptive cross-sectional evaluation was conducted involving 240 non-executive technical personnel who participated in 17 training sessions delivered at ILSAS (Selangor), Johor, and Penang. Readiness was operationalised across four perception domains, namely suitability of AR for electrical work, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and organisational implementation support, measured using a five-point Likert scale. The findings indicate generally high acceptance of immersive training, with participants reporting clearer procedural understanding, reduced learning pressure, and improved task confidence following exposure to AR and VR modules. Instructor facilitation was also rated as an important supporting factor for effective learning transfer. Overall readiness scores were high across domains, suggesting favourable workforce disposition towards immersive safety training adoption. However, as the evaluation relied on self-reported perceptions and descriptive analysis, the results should be interpreted as early readiness indicators rather than evidence of behavioural change. The study provides an empirical baseline for scaling immersive training within the electrical utility sector and highlights the need for future longitudinal and Structural Equation Modeling based research incorporating objective safety performance measures.