Challenge

The metaverse and the technologies that make it possible are reshaping every aspect of education and work. The good news is there’s a social impact opportunity with extended reality (XR) technologies. XR provides broader access to high–quality education and training and supports workers on the job. Additionally, learners and workers will need to learn XR-related skills in order to access opportunities to get hired, succeed, and thrive in the jobs of the future that provide economic advancement.   

Jobs for the Future (JFF) drives transformation of the U.S. workforce and education systems to achieve equitable economic advancement for all.

JFFLabs is helping grow the market for promising technology solutions poised to generate significant social impact for workers and learners. Working with partners including Meta, SAP, and Unity, among others, we explore and showcase the potential of the metaverse, including virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR), to connect people to opportunities for learning, work, and economic opportunity. Our approach:

Results

By the Numbers
 

• Twenty-one small businesses implemented VR training for nearly 400 workers  
• Eight manufacturing small businesses implemented AR to support on-the-job tasks for their workers 
• In three cities, competitors developed 17 new ideas for how XR can support small businesses 
• Eight community colleges piloted an AR curriculum, reaching 150 students 
• In eight states, 900 students engaged in immersive experiences to strengthen their human skills