Washington County Expands Virtual Reality Career Simulation Program

After a successful first year, the Workforce Development Board plans to expand its virtual reality (VR) career simulation program, potentially adding equipment that can be shared with schools and community leaders across Washington County.

Rick Roy, Workforce Development Board Director, says he hopes to keep two VR systems in Forest Lake, two in Woodbury, and two in Cottage Grove. By spreading the headsets across the county, everyone will have equal access to this engaging tool. A teacher in Lake Elmo won’t have to drive across town to get the tools they need.

“We plan to develop a calendar where educators can reserve the headsets and check them out for school use,” says Roy. “They will be housed in the workforce centers so community leaders can also use them to help adults with career exploration.”

More than 350 students have tried the VR simulations so far. Keep reading to learn about this valuable program and how it helps with career planning. 

The Headsets Come With 30 Different Simulations

Anyone interested in trying out different careers can step into a simulation to see what those jobs are really like. The simulations, developed by Career Labs VR, last about 15 to 20 minutes. Participants can choose from 30 different simulations and use the headsets multiple times.

The Workforce Development Board chose Career Labs VR because the software can be downloaded onto laptops and doesn’t need to be connected to the Internet to work. The Board paid $9,600 for six units, of which the Washington County Community Development Agency (CDA) contributed $3,200.

“Workforce development is one of our top priorities and comes in many forms,” says Chris Eng, Economic Development Director of the Washington County CDA. “Along with recruiting top talent to East Metro MSP, we also want to invest in training for residents and support our students. Some of our best talent is found in our schools today.”

Roy also personally contributed to this project. He donated a TV that displays the simulations as students use them. This way an entire class – or other attendees walking past at a career event – can see what the VR participant is doing. 

Simulations Provide an Accurate Representation of Work Environments

The VR simulations are designed to let people step into different careers and complete tasks as if they were on the job. One student can simulate a hospital experience if they are considering entering the healthcare field while another can see what HVAC repair is like.

The simulations cover a wide variety of career options and include all aspects of the state’s Drive for Five initiative. This is a program designed to fill jobs in five in-demand fields: technology, the trades, caring professions, manufacturing, and education.  

This program's main goal is to let people explore careers. The headsets are designed to support educators in their career and technical education (CTE) efforts.

“This gives students a day-in-the-life experience so they understand what the job is really about and what skills and knowledge are needed,” says Roy. Some students might use these simulations to confirm their career paths. Others might rethink their plans before investing considerable time and energy to pursue them.

“It’s just as important to know what you don’t want to do,” Roy adds.

So far, student feedback has been positive. The headsets were used at a summer youth program in Cottage Grove for students who are falling behind in school. When students can picture their future careers, they can feel motivated to work toward them.  

Adults Can Benefit from VR Simulations As Well

While the primary use of these VR headsets is to connect students with future careers, they are also used at community events and career expos for adults. Sometimes changes to health or employment force career transitions. Other times, adults want to move away from what they are doing in life but aren’t sure what they are qualified to do.

“The VR simulations show adults what different career paths are like while highlighting the transferable skills they have,” says Roy. “This can make a career transition feel less intimidating because adults will see they already have the soft skills to succeed.”

A recent survey of 2,600 workers found that 58% want a career change. Stepping into a new, meaningful career provides more than just a workforce benefit to the community — it also improves quality of life. Washington County residents can find meaning in their work and choose career paths with growth opportunities.  

East Metro MSP Has Work Opportunities for Students and Adults

The 30 different VR simulations allow students and adults to explore potential career paths, all of which are available to them in Washington County. Students can explore manufacturing, engineering, medical, and technology fields through the VR headsets and then discover potential future employers as they drive around town. The diverse industries make East Metro MSP a desirable place for families today and for kids to stay after graduation.

Learn about other workforce resources offered by the Washington County CDA and see how this affects the quality of life in the region.