Solving the Skills Gap With VR
With Doug Donovan, CEO and Founder of Interplay Learning
Brands everywhere are struggling to compete due to a shortage of skilled workers. Doug discusses how to make skills and trade training more accessible to address this monumental, cross-industry challenge.
Listen now:
ServiceChannel
Modified on
March 14, 2024
Welcome to Elevating Brick and Mortar.
The podcast about how operations and facilities drive brand performance.
Today we’ll hear from Doug Donovan, CEO and Founder of Interplay Learning. Interplay is the global leader in online, VR and 3D simulation training for the essential skilled trades. Their scalable, highly-effective digital learning simulations develop on-the-job skills quickly and efficiently, enabling workers to build better careers and closing the skills gap for brands.
About the Guest
Doug Donovan is the CEO and Founder of Interplay Learning, the global leader in online, Virtual Reality and 3D simulation training for the essential skilled trades. Interplay’s solution is more scalable and effective than traditional methods and is transforming how “hands-on” careers — like electricians, plumbers, maintenance and HVAC technicians — are accessed and trained. More than 1,500 companies are using Interplay to improve their businesses, and more than 175,000 professionals and students have used Interplay products to advance a technical skillset or start a career. Prior to Interplay, Donovan founded two software companies and developed a small ski area in Colorado. Donovan holds a BA from the University of Virginia, and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley.
“This is not just a domestic need. This is a global problem. I think this worker group has mostly been overlooked, especially by high tech. Most venture worlds and some of the heavy investment stuff have been in the knowledge space and the white collar space. And so to be able to take some of the best in technology, and apply it to getting better careers, which lead to better lives for our customers and for our team… Makes it really easy to come to work.”
— Doug Donovan
TIMESTAMPS
** 00:20 – What is Interplay Learning?
** 01:12 – Doug’s journey
** 14:42 – Solving for the skilled workforce shortage
** 16:44 – The three Rs
** 21:55 – The bet on VR
** 31:37 – AI and Interplay
** 37:23 – Future thinking
** 45:58 – Sid’s takeaways
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