The Manufacturing Institute, an organization that supports workers’ advancement in modern manufacturing occupations, announced a re-skilling initiative last month that will rely on virtual reality (VR) to grant transitioning military service members, veterans and their spouses a pathway towards careers in modern manufacturing. The initiative is part of a partnership between the Manufacturing Institute’s Heroes MAKE America and TRANSFR, a workforce development platform that uses VR simulation to prepare workers for advanced jobs.
Training for in-demand manufacturing roles include models in precision measurement, plant safety, blueprint reading and construction safety. Those enrolled will be able to work toward earning Certification Production Technician status through MSSC and OSHA 10.
The move comes when the demand for people to fill advanced manufacturing jobs is at a peak, and VR is increasingly being used as an educational, vocational and professional training tool by nonprofits, workforce agencies, community colleges and employers. The Manufacturing Institute conducted a skills gap study with Deloitte, finding that by 2030, almost 2.1 million jobs could be unfilled in the U.S., costing the economy $1 trillion. However, veterans training through VR could be the missing link to avoiding that outcome.
“Veterans represent a sought-after pool of talent who bring many of the skills and aptitudes required for success in the manufacturing workforce,” said Babs Chase, Vice President of Military and Veterans Program at the Manufacturing Institute. “This initiative will harness the power of simulation-based training to help service members rapidly translate their skills and experiences into the most in-demand skills needed in the industry.”
Training vets with VR is already underway. Since January, Heroes MAKE America participants have been training with TRANSFR’s manufacturing simulations at Fort Riley in Kansas. Over 50 military members and spouses have used the Oculus Quest for Business to gain skills in modern manufacturing. This is part of a bigger plan to expand the initiative to a fully remote VR simulation training program. It will include providing support to service members who are transitioning to civilian life, as well as veterans and their spouses. The remote training will be offered for free. The in-person component of the program operates at Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; and Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
“Veterans often have a wealth of skills and aptitudes that they can readily repurpose into civilian industries, with the right type of training and career support. This work is about helping service members, and soon-to-be veterans see how those skills can apply to the world of manufacturing work before they even start their transition,” said TRANSFR Founder and CEO Bharani Rajakumar. “We’re proud to play our part in supporting our men and women in uniform—and their families—in assisting with their transition from uniformed service to civilian careers in high-demand industries.”
Expansion of the remote-learning VR training component is being spearheaded through a partnership between the Manufacturing Institute and Texas State Technical College. Both participants of the remote and in-person programs will receive support and networking connections, including transition guidance and manufacturing job placement support. According to TRANSFR, 95 percent of those trained through its VR platform and subsequently hired are still employed today, and 85 percent of those trained prefer hands-on simulation-based training.
Heroes MAKE America began in 2018 and, to date, has graduated more than 550 participants, 90 percent of whom have gained employment at more than 200 companies in 39 states.
The Manufacturing Institute joins a fast-growing community of nonprofits, workforce agencies, community colleges and employers that are now leveraging the power of training simulations to boost employee performance, drive retention and help workers develop hands-on skills required for on-the-job success.