Kentucky Career Center – Bluegrass Utilizes Virtual Reality to Ensure a Competitive Workforce

February 14th, 2024

[Lexington, KY] — The Kentucky Career Center - Bluegrass now offers career exploration and training through Oculus virtual reality headsets. Jobseekers can explore on-the-job scenarios and gain skills through simulated activities using these virtual reality headsets. 

With literally hundreds of trainings available and more coming in the spring of 2023, jobseekers in the Bluegrass can explore various career options, improve their skills, and demonstrate their competencies in several sectors including some sectors seen as high demand in Central Kentucky. The six primary sectors are Manufacturing, Skilled Trades, such as Welding, Construction, Electrical, etc., Warehousing & Storage, Public Safety, Hospitality & Tourism, and Automotive. Each of these sectors provides a variety of modules that allow jobseekers to explore, expand, or demonstrate their skill.

To date, these Oculus headsets have been demonstrated primarily at local job fairs but are now available for use in schools or by local employers and community organizations, under the supervision of Kentucky Career Center – Bluegrass staff. There are currently five oculus training devices accessible by appointment, but the Kentucky Career Center – Bluegrass does have plans to expand that number when possible.

Amy Glasscock, Director of Workforce for the Bluegrass Local Workforce Development Area, commented, “I have tried a training and was able to change the oil in a car virtually. I’m excited about the future of training for job seekers in the Bluegrass with the use of virtual reality technology; there really is no limit.”

To schedule a demonstration for your school or business, please contact your local Kentucky Career Center – Bluegrass and visit ckycareers.com/vr to see the full list of trainings available.

Media Contact: 

Staci L. May

Public Information Officer

smay@bgadd.org

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