Hasselt (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Hasselt’s HR department launches a VR pilot project for job applicants. Alderman Dymna Meynen says it helps candidates better empathise and respond to real workplace situations.
As VRT News reported, Hasselt is testing a new method for hiring staff using virtual reality. The city’s Human Resources department launched a pilot project to let job applicants face real work situations.
This morning, Nov 18, 2025, Alderman for Human Resources Dymna Meynen (N-VA) and Alderman for Childcare Astrid Franssens (CD&V) attended a live demonstration. Candidates wore VR glasses and entered a simulated after-school childcare centre. In one scene, a parent reported that their child had a bruise. Applicants had to respond calmly, communicate clearly, and show understanding.
What is Hasselt’s VR recruitment pilot and how does it work?
Officials mentioned that the VR system can recreate many types of work situations, from daily tasks to unexpected problems. It allows the city to watch how applicants solve issues, work with colleagues, and adapt under pressure.
Alderman Meynen said the pilot provides a clear view of candidates’ practical skills. Alderman Franssens added that it helps identify who is ready and best suited for the job. If the trial succeeds, Hasselt plans to expand VR testing to other departments.
“Because the applicant is almost literally immersed in the situation, the response will be more accurate,”
Meynen explains.
“They also immediately see what to expect in the workplace.”
The city of Hasselt has partnered with PXL University of Applied Sciences to test a new recruitment method using virtual reality. The university helped design the program and create realistic work scenarios.
“Because it gives them a more objective insight into the applicant’s skills,”
Meynen continues.
“This allows for a faster and more efficient match between candidate and job.”
Officials mentioned that the VR recruitment method benefits both job seekers and the city. Applicants can understand the responsibilities of the role before starting. They said that the program is especially useful for after-school childcare jobs, which are in high demand. Hasselt is looking for qualified childcare workers who also have a real passion for children.
“Thanks to this innovative selection approach, we find the right people faster and also make the profession more visible and attractive,”
Franssens asserts.
“With the VR headset, candidates can immediately experience what the job entails and demonstrate their skills.”
In 2016, Lloyds Banking Group tested virtual reality to recruit graduates for 2017. Candidates wore VR headsets and entered virtual environments where they had to solve tasks and complete challenges. Experts assess how they reacted, made decisions, and handled problems. The bank said the method helped evaluate skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and behaviour in ways traditional interviews could not.
