Sila Services Implements 3D Simulation Training to Upskill Field Technicians
Sila Services has partnered with Interplay Learning to implement advanced 3D simulation training across its 30+ HVAC, plumbing, and electrical brands, providing scalable, mobile, and personalized career development solutions for over 1,200 field technicians that reduce reliance on senior staff, minimize business disruption, and support talent growth aligned with the company’s people-first philosophy and aggressive expansion goals.
Interplay Learning, a leader in immersive career development solutions for the skilled trades, has partnered with Sila Services, a prominent home services platform operating HVAC, plumbing, and electrical companies. Interplay will deliver ongoing, scalable training solutions across Sila Services’ 30+ brands, supporting over 1,200 field technicians.
Sila Services, known for its people-first approach, selected Interplay Learning to enhance and scale its training and development operations. Interplay will provide Sila Services’ brands with advanced 3D simulation training and career-building training pathways that integrate with existing systems, reduce trainer burden, and develop the talent pipeline.
With Interplay’s training content, Sila Services can offer safe and consistent training anytime, anywhere, reducing reliance on location-specific training and dependence on senior technicians and managers. This mobile and structured approach minimizes business disruption and provides a repeatable solution for roles from apprentices to leadership, boosting technicians’ confidence and ability to expand their skill sets.
Edward McFarlane, chief learning and development officer at Sila Services, stated, “Our training philosophy is deeply rooted in our core value of putting people first. We chose Interplay because it’s intuitive for our technicians to use and minimizes administrative burdens for our managers. Its user-friendly approach and reporting tools help us efficiently hire new talent, onboard, and develop our own well-rounded workforce, aligning perfectly with Sila Services’ aggressive growth objectives.”
The integration of Interplay’s skills assessments into Sila Services’ training strategy and technology stack creates personalized learning paths across multiple trades and skill levels. This increases engagement and retention while building reliable skills inventories, enabling more effective talent deployment. It also supports rewarding promotions and the development of technically proficient leaders capable of driving Sila Services’ growth and new partner acquisitions.
Interplay’s connections to NATE, third-party agencies like OSHA and EPA, and relationships with major original equipment manufacturers create an industry-validated ecosystem for top-tier training and certification opportunities. This ensures technicians are well-equipped to meet industry standards and exceed customer expectations.
Doug Donovan, founder and CEO of Interplay Learning, commented, “We are proud to partner with Sila Services, a company culturally aligned in its dedication to empowering all levels of the workforce through training. Together, we will reimagine the way career training is conducted, from apprenticeship to leadership roles, and build a well-rounded workforce capable of meeting growth goals and industry demands.”
About Sila Services
Sila Services is a leading home services platform, operating over 30 brands throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest. With a history of people-focused trade industry leadership dating back to the early 1900s, Sila Services offers a complete range of residential and commercial services in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, water treatment, and indoor air quality. The company’s mission is to attract, develop, and advance the careers of the best people in the home services trades, ensuring unmatched service and customer satisfaction.
About Interplay Learning
Interplay Learning, based in Austin, is the industry leader in immersive career development solutions for the skilled trades. Its acclaimed training platform enables rapid upskilling and empowers new technicians to be job-ready within weeks. Featuring expert-led videos, hands-on 3D simulations, knowledge checks, and personalized learning paths, Interplay offers a scalable and engaging alternative to traditional training. Leveraging advanced technologies like AI and VR, Interplay is reshaping the future of online skilled trades training, delivering highly effective learning experiences that result in better careers and better lives.
Recent accolades for Interplay Learning include Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies in the World, AHR’s 2024 Innovation Award, Forbes’ 2023 America’s Best Startup Employers, the 2022 Inc. 5000 list, and the 2022 Inc. Best in Business list.
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