Bridging the Skills Gap with Transfr's Virtual Reality

Securing well-paying jobs in high demand fields often hinge on the practical skills individuals possess. Unfortunately, a significant skills gap exists in key sectors like manufacturing, automotive, and construction. This gap can be attributed to outdated perceptions of skilled trades and a lack of awareness about the opportunities available in these industries. With over half of the current manufacturing workforce set to retire by 2030, millions of job openings are expected, and many of these roles do not require a four-year degree. The solution to filling these vacancies lies in empowering individuals with the right skills—skills that can be developed through hands-on, simulation-based training like the Transfr Virtual Reality Platform.

BTES Business Development Manager April Eads explains, “To support collaborative efforts in training and education, BTES and the Community Team applied for and received Workforce Invest Grants from the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) to purchase the Transfr VR Platform for the Bristol Tennessee City School System and Sullivan County Schools.”

Transfr's innovative platform offers a unique opportunity to equip individuals with practical skills in industries such as welding, automotive repair, electrical, healthcare, and information technology.

Eads continued, “By incorporating the Transfr VR Platform into Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs throughout the BTES service area, we can provide students with valuable skills that directly translate to the workforce. Investing in these programs can lead to increased employment opportunities, economic advancement, and a stronger local economy, particularly for individuals facing barriers to employment.”

With Transfr VR, students can engage in realistic career simulations, gaining practical experience.

“Since Transfr VR was introduced to Bristol Tennessee Middle and High School last year, the results have been impressive. Hundreds of career exploration simulations have been completed, demonstrating the growing interest and effectiveness of this training model. By continuing to invest in workforce development initiatives like the Transfr VR Platform, we strengthen partnerships between education, industry, and economic development,” said Eads.

Teachers and others from the Sullivan County School System were trained in December and students will begin using the devices to explore career opportunities this month.