HVAC Technicians Review Virtual Reality Training for the First Time
AirTight FaciliTech's HVAC technicians experienced Interplay Learning’s virtual reality training for the first time, highlighting how the immersive technology helped a young trainee rapidly advance from a Helper to a Service Technician within six months, increasing his pay by 25% and demonstrating the potential of VR to future-proof skilled trades training.
HVAC Technicians Review Virtual Reality Training for the First Time
AirTight FaciliTech experiences Interplay Learning’s virtual reality HVAC training simulation for the first time. Future proofing our industry by bringing technology to the skilled trades world.
“I saw one kid, early 20’s, go from nothing to something in 6 months. He went through the training, started as a Helper, and now he’s moving into the service department and he’s going to become a Service Technician. We all track what he’s doing in his training. You can see he’s a kid that wants to learn, he wants to advance and he wants to get to the next level. In 6 months, with Interplay’s training, he increased his pay by 25%.”
— Mike Cappuccio, Founder and General Manager
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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.
Interplay & HTC Host Educational Virtual Reality Roadshow
Interplay Learning, in partnership with HTC Vive, conducted a multi-city educational VR roadshow across Austin, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, engaging HVAC industry professionals and educators in interactive virtual reality training simulations to showcase the transformative potential of VR in skilled trades training and plans to continue similar events throughout 2018.
3D & VR Simulation-Based HVAC Training
Interplay Learning offers 3D and VR simulation-based online HVAC training programs that accelerate skill development, enabling technicians to gain hands-on experience and become job-ready in weeks rather than years, as demonstrated by case studies and testimonials highlighting faster productivity, increased confidence, and reduced callback rates for HVAC companies.
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.
Interplay Learning Newsroom
Interplay Learning, a leading provider of immersive training for industrial and skilled trades, has recently been recognized by TIME and Forbes for its industry impact and financial strength, while partnering with companies like Konecranes to deliver VR crane simulation training that expands customer training capacity and reduces equipment downtime.
High 5 Plumbing’s Apprentice Success Case Study
High 5 Plumbing significantly boosted its Denver-based residential plumbing business by partnering with Interplay to implement a structured apprenticeship program featuring 6-10 hours of weekly paid virtual training with videos and VR simulations, resulting in a nearly 500% revenue increase, rapid promotion of apprentices to installers within 60 days, production of licensed plumbers in 18 months (six months faster than usual), callback rates below industry average, and retention of over half their apprentices as licensed professionals despite industry labor shortages and high turnover.