Creating Pathways to Future Careers with Interplay Learning
Interplay Learning addresses the skilled trades shortage by leveraging new technology to offer hands-on, cost-effective virtual training that exposes students to high-demand skills, enhances equity by removing educational barriers, and creates accessible pathways to rewarding future careers.
In this White Paper, discover how Interplay Learning is creating pathways to future careers:
The skilled trades are facing a crisis. Demand is increasing, but the supply keeps decreasing. At the same time, the proportion of high school students who earn three or more credits in occupational education, which can provide an introduction and pathway to a skilled trade, has dropped. That means thousands of students are missing opportunities to learn about and pursue high paying and rewarding careers. Fortunately, this can change. New technology can provide hands-on and cost-effective virtual learning opportunities within the trades to not only expose students to high-demand skill sets safely but also increase equity in schools by removing barriers to learning materials, increasing resources available to students and supplementing their education.
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3D & VR Sim-Based Training for Students
Interplay Learning provides online, on-demand 3D simulation and virtual reality training for skilled trades students, offering industry-aligned courses and certifications across various trades, enabling flexible, safe practice environments, curriculum integration, progress tracking, and proven success in preparing students for workforce readiness as endorsed by educators and employers.
3D & VR Sim-Based Training for Students
Interplay Learning provides online, on-demand 3D simulation and virtual reality training for skilled trades students, offering industry-aligned courses and certifications across various trades to enhance curriculum, enable flexible practice, track progress, and prepare students for workforce success, as evidenced by positive testimonials from educators and workforce leaders.
Enhance Your Gateway Trades Curriculum with Interactive, Hands-On Simulations for Students
Interplay Learning offers immersive 3D and virtual reality simulations that enhance Gateway Trades curricula by providing students with safe, engaging, and convenient hands-on training to build real-world skills, boost confidence, and inspire the digital generation.
Facebook's VR Impact on Skilled Trades Training
Facebook's rebranding to Meta and its $10 billion investment in VR and the metaverse underscore the growing importance of virtual reality as a transformative tool for educational and vocational training, particularly addressing the critical labor shortages and declining enrollment in skilled trades programs amid an aging workforce.
Workforce Development Programs and Skilled Trades Careers
Workforce development programs are crucial in addressing the U.S. skilled labor shortage—particularly in trades like construction, plumbing, and HVAC—by providing flexible, technology-enhanced training opportunities that enable individuals to enter well-paying middle-class careers, with many new skilled trade workers earning at least $50,000 annually despite common misconceptions about low earning potential.
How To Expand CTE Access for Students
The article discusses expanding access to high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, highlighting that while skilled trades offer students career growth and competitive wages without a degree, barriers such as misconceptions about CTE value, logistical challenges like limited resources and real-world experiences, and difficulties in recruiting and retaining qualified teachers hinder enrollment and completion, especially among underserved populations.