Instead of brandishing a mop and bucket, cleaner Albert Tan's only tool during a recent training stint was a pair of virtual reality (VR) goggles, which the 60-year-old donned to practise wiping down virtual toilet bowls.

For the past year, Mr Tan and 60 cleaners at local firm Ministry of Clean have been picking up cleaning skills in a three-dimensional environment under a VR training course, with the hope that polishing their skills can lead to better career prospects and higher wages.