Case Study: Burke Shire Council achieves reduced WH&S risk and thousands in training-cost savings with SurePact

VR pilot in WH&S reduces risks and saves Burke Shire Council thousands in training costs

Burke Shire Council, a remote local government in North West Queensland, faced expensive, inconvenient and COVID-restricted work health and safety (WH&S) training that required flying trainers in or sending staff 450+ km away. SurePact partnered with Next World Enterprises to pilot a virtual reality WH&S training program (built on SurePact’s SaaS risk-management approach) to deliver on-demand, locally accessible training for Council employees.

SurePact’s VR solution ran as a two-month trial in which more than 50 staff completed up to four modules each without travel; engagement rose 73% and participants reported 67% higher knowledge retention. The program cut travel and accommodation costs (working-at-heights modules saved up to $2,500 per person), reduced WH&S risks, improved compliance and staff welfare, and helped Burke Shire Council win the Bush Council Innovation Award 2020.

Burke Shire Council

Clare Keenan

Chief Executive Officer