Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive training for the skilled trades and industrial crafts, and Mohave College are expanding workforce training in western Arizona through a flexible, employer-driven model at Mohave's new Advanced Manufacturing Training Center.
Building on years of success using Interplay's immersive platform in its HVAC program, Mohave developed the new Advanced Manufacturing Training Center to give students and regional employers more flexible options for technical education and workforce development. The center offers traditional career and technical education alongside short-term and customized employer training, allowing Mohave to respond more quickly to changing industry needs.
By embedding Interplay's course catalog into its curriculum, Mohave can expand training across HVAC, industrial maintenance, electrical and safety disciplines while giving students opportunities to practice skills in immersive 3D simulations before applying them to physical equipment.
"Interplay has been a key part of our HVAC curriculum, and bringing that simulation technology into our new Advanced Manufacturing Training Center gives us the flexibility to provide training that employers need," said Jason Gee, dean of career and technical education, Mohave College. "We can customize training for students entering the trades as well as for employers looking to upskill their current workforce."
The center combines asynchronous learning through Interplay's interactive simulations with collaborative, hands-on instruction. In its inaugural year, the model supported more than 300 learners, allowing Mohave to expand its training capacity without developing every course from scratch.
"Interplay's simulation software has been a great addition to our HVAC program at Mohave College's Advanced Manufacturing Training Center," said KC Boyd, HVAC instructor, Mohave College. "It gives our students a chance to practice real-world HVAC troubleshooting in a safe environment and then apply what they learned on actual equipment in the lab. I've been very pleased with how well the software supports our hands-on training and helps students build confidence and prepare for the workforce."
Mohave plans to expand the center's training programs and industry partnerships as regional workforce needs continue to evolve.
"Mohave College demonstrates how education and industry can work together to create a more responsive workforce training model," said Doug Donovan, co-founder and CEO, Interplay Learning. "By combining immersive technology with hands-on instruction and employer-driven training, Mohave is helping learners build practical skills while giving local businesses a more flexible way to develop their workforce."