(NewsUSA) - The mission of the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program is to bring hope and joy to children in need through the gift of a new toy, book, or game, at Christmastime and throughout the year.

Ongoing economic hardships challenge many families across the Nation. “Every day, we’re hearing from more hardworking parents who won’t be able to give their children anything for Christmas,” says LtGen James B. Laster, USMC (Ret.), CEO of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “We can’t let these girls and boys down.”

That is why we are asking our faithful donors to give as generously as they can in time for Christmas – so no child is forgotten. No matter how an individual, company, family, or organization donates, every supporter has a story, and everyone who contributes to our mission is a ‘Secret Santa’.

What may seem like a simple contribution of time or money can set the stage for a lifetime of hope and security.

“If children experience darkness all year long, and then someone like me, dressed in a fancy uniform, says, ‘I think we can help you a little bit,’ that can give at least some of them the hope they need, and they will go on to do great things,” says Staff Sergeant James Caldwell.

SSgt Caldwell is a United States Marine, and his seventeen-year connection with the Marine Toys for Tots Program and the Foster Care system goes back to his childhood, when he and his younger sister were placed in Foster Care. Now, as a Reservist, SSgt Caldwell is deeply involved with the Toys for Tots Program each Christmas. He recalls one event in particular that continues to inspire him.

“About eight years ago, I was a door greeter for a toy distribution day. I was in my dress blues, and we had a group of Foster Care children arriving. I handed a young girl a bag of toys.  She looked at me, reached into her bag and handed me a stuffed animal, and said, ‘someone needs to make sure you get a toy, too.’”

That moment when the little girl gave him one of her toys is one that SSgt Caldwell often replays in his mind, and he knows he is making a difference to boys and girls growing up in difficult circumstances similar to his.

“Everybody goes through life looking for something that will fulfill them. I was given a great opportunity as a child. So, I value the chance to give back and show these kids the possibility of a brighter future,” he says.

You too can make a difference to a disadvantaged child by being a ‘Secret Santa’.  Your donation will ensure that every child in need receives the gift of hope this Christmas.

Visit www.toysfortots.org to make a difference and change a life!

(NewsUSA) - Can you trust the financial advice you find online, including on social media? Nope. And a majority of people already don’t trust online financial advice. According to the CFP Board Consumer Sentiment Survey — Trust, But Verify, 71% of investors indicated little to no trust in the financial planning advice received from social media. There was also a high level of mistrust (51% of those surveyed) regarding advice from generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including ChatGPT and Google Bard. In addition, the survey found that while consumers are wary of online advice, they are far more comfortable acting on that advice if it’s been verified by a financial planner.

Psst! Want a Can’t Miss Stock Tip?

You don’t take investment tips from strangers on a street corner. And that’s what the internet is like: one big street corner full of strangers offering advice. They don’t know your financial situation, goals, age, or life stage. Online advice tends to be generic and one-size-fits-all, lacking customization to fit individual circumstances. Worse yet, you don’t know whether the online stranger has any expertise — or a secret financial incentive to steer you to one type of investment over another. The “advice” could simply be a lie.

Information vs. Advice

So, what’s the internet good for when it comes to financial advice? It’s a terrific tool to gather information as opposed to advice.

Here are three examples:

• Learn the difference between various types of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds and their performance history — not which ones to purchase.
• Learn the difference between insurance options — not which type to purchase, how much, or which company to buy from.
• Learn about the different ways to invest for college or retirement — but not which path works for your circumstances.

No matter what information you are looking for, visit multiple online platforms and compare what each says. But don’t make decisions until you get personalized advice from a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER^™ professional.

The information you gather online can prepare you to ask more intelligent questions and understand your options when you sit down with a CFP^® professional. Once these experts know you, your family responsibilities and the levels of risk with which you are comfortable, they’ll offer advice tailored to your specific needs and goals. CFP^® professionals make a commitment to CFP Board to act as fiduciaries, which means they will always put your interests first when providing financial advice.

Five Tips Worth Taking

With countless influencers and self-proclaimed experts vying for your attention, it's crucial to approach online financial guidance with a discerning eye. With that in mind, check out these five tips from CFP Board’s Lets Make a Plan website to help you effectively navigate the digital realm of financial advice. Work with a CFP^® professional when you need to verify financial strategies you heard of online or when making any significant financial decisions. Find your CFP^® professional today.

(NewsUSA) - Since 1976, Diveheart founder and president Jim Elliott knew that scuba diving was therapeutic and beneficial for people in general, and especially for individuals with disabilities.

The son of an Army veteran with a disability and the father of a blind daughter, Elliott was tutored through boy scouts by a one arm scout master and walked his Cub Scout friend Timmy, who had cerebral palsy, to school to discourage bullies. These experiences gave Elliott a solid foundation for working with individuals with a variety of disabilities and the sometimes less-than-friendly world around them.

As a young journalist at the College of DuPage, Elliott had no special interest in scuba diving, but took a scuba class in case he ever had to interview someone like the famous diver Jacques Cousteau. It was love at first dive!  By 1997, Elliott had spent decades guiding and teaching blind skiers; he then became a scuba diving instructor and worked with people with a variety of disabilities.

In 2001, Elliott founded Diveheart, a non-profit dedicated to serving children, veterans, and others with all types of disabilities, using adaptive scuba and scuba therapy as tools to help them “Imagine the possibilities” in their lives. Elliott never thought that Diveheart would be more than a small local charity. However, by the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, Diveheart was operating approximately 200 pool programs and scheduled to lead 14 adaptive scuba trips for people with disabilities.

The forced closures during the pandemic allowed time for reflection, and Elliott and colleagues conceived a plan for the world’s deepest warm water therapy pool facility. This facility would be a destination to be used for research, rehabilitation, education, training, and provide vocational opportunities for veterans and others, not only with disabilities, but of all abilities.

Fast forward to 2023! Two patents later and millions of dollars in pro-bono services and land donation guarantees, Diveheart has completed a feasibility study and revealed its deep pool design in the hope of garnering millions of dollars to build the world’s first deep warm water therapy pool facility in the United States.

To learn more about this multimillion-dollar project that will change the world for those with disabilities, visit www.Diveheart.org.

(NewsUSA) - How a Pennsylvania Trade School Achieved a 100% graduation and pass rate on the NOCTI state exam

As the U.S. workforce struggles to fill a massive labor gap in the skilled trades industry, the fact that many skilled tradespeople are approaching retirement age only amplifies the problem.  As older workers retire, there need to be more younger workers to replace them; workers that feel confident and ready for entry-level roles in the trades.

The Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC), located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, is filling this void of candidates in the HVAC field by teaching students with a best-in-class training approach.

DJ Mumau, HVAC instructor at ICTC, noticed the skill gaps issue when he previously worked in the industry and realized that at the age of 30, he was the youngest person amongst his coworkers.

When he joined ICTC, he faced several challenges. Student knowledge was hard to assess, personalized feedback was hard to deliver, lesson planning was time-consuming and student follow-through was unmanageable. As program enrollments grew, Mumau experienced challenges with the reach, scalability and effectiveness of course instruction. 

Recognizing the need for additional resources, Mumau researched supplemental training tools to prepare his students for HVAC roles upon graduation and landed on Interplay Learning, an online provider of training for skilled trades that includes virtual reality and 3D simulations.

“I realized it had everything I needed; I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “I started with a handful of seats for a few students to trial, and today, each one of my students has an Interplay account that they start using from day one through to graduation,” he said.

Mumau teaches his students in the classroom or does a lab demonstration, then assigns them an Interplay course where they can interact with the same concepts through images, videos and diagrams outside of the classroom. Students then apply what they have learned in hands-on shop sessions.
Integrating Interplay’s simulation courses into the curriculum gives students a clear and objective roadmap to practice their skills and competencies, preparing them to pass state exams and credentialing requirements, achieve multiple industry certifications, and land entry-level jobs.

On-going practice and repetition of fundamentals in a 3D environment accelerate the student’s ability to work with specialty tools and live HVAC/R equipment in the lab. 

Key successes of the program include improved student learning retention with online, supplemental HVAC courses that reinforce lectures and lab assignments, elevated lab performance, successful outcomes in state exams and increased post-grad job placements.

By supplementing classroom training, Mumau has lightened his administrative load.  He automates assignments and tracks grading and student evaluations in one place. He was also able to decrease damage to lab equipment and reduce materials costs through the use of immersive equipment simulators.

How does this investment into supplemental tools translate into measurable results?  100% of students graduated with at least one industry-recognized certification, 100% of graduates passed the state NOCTI exam with Advanced or Proficient overall scores and 81% of graduates continue in the HVAC field or post-secondary education!

“We’re not a huge town, but there’s a decent amount of companies around, and we try our best to do our part to prepare and place kids into the workforce,” says Mumau.

As other trade skills programs look to be a credible provider of qualified candidates to fill the workforce void, equipping instructors with training tools that engage students and complement classroom training is a powerful path to producing the best program outcomes.  Interplay’s easily accessible platform allows students to view, train, and practice their skills on any device, or in virtual reality. “The result is a highly trained employee who is job-ready in weeks, not years,” according to the company. 

You can learn more about Interplay Learning here.
Austin-based Interplay Learning is the industry leader in immersive training solutions for the skilled trades.  Featuring expert-led videos, hands-on 3D simulations, knowledge checks, and personalized learning paths, Interplay’s training platform is more scalable and engaging than traditional training. Leveraging advanced technologies like AI and VR, Interplay is reshaping the future of online skilled trades training, delivering highly effective learning experiences that result in better careers and better lives. 

(NewsUSA) - How a Pennsylvania Trade School Achieved a 100% graduation and pass rate on the NOCTI state exam

As the U.S. workforce struggles to fill a massive labor gap in the skilled trades industry, the fact that many skilled tradespeople are approaching retirement age only amplifies the problem.  As older workers retire, there need to be more younger workers to replace them; workers that feel confident and ready for entry-level roles in the trades.

The Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC), located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, is filling this void of candidates in the HVAC field by teaching students with a best-in-class training approach.

DJ Mumau, HVAC instructor at ICTC, noticed the skill gaps issue when he previously worked in the industry and realized that at the age of 30, he was the youngest person amongst his coworkers.

When he joined ICTC, he faced several challenges. Student knowledge was hard to assess, personalized feedback was hard to deliver, lesson planning was time-consuming and student follow-through was unmanageable. As program enrollments grew, Mumau experienced challenges with the reach, scalability and effectiveness of course instruction. 

Recognizing the need for additional resources, Mumau researched supplemental training tools to prepare his students for HVAC roles upon graduation and landed on Interplay Learning, an online provider of training for skilled trades that includes virtual reality and 3D simulations.

“I realized it had everything I needed; I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “I started with a handful of seats for a few students to trial, and today, each one of my students has an Interplay account that they start using from day one through to graduation,” he said.

Mumau teaches his students in the classroom or does a lab demonstration, then assigns them an Interplay course where they can interact with the same concepts through images, videos and diagrams outside of the classroom. Students then apply what they have learned in hands-on shop sessions.
Integrating Interplay’s simulation courses into the curriculum gives students a clear and objective roadmap to practice their skills and competencies, preparing them to pass state exams and credentialing requirements, achieve multiple industry certifications, and land entry-level jobs.

On-going practice and repetition of fundamentals in a 3D environment accelerate the student’s ability to work with specialty tools and live HVAC/R equipment in the lab. 

Key successes of the program include improved student learning retention with online, supplemental HVAC courses that reinforce lectures and lab assignments, elevated lab performance, successful outcomes in state exams and increased post-grad job placements.

By supplementing classroom training, Mumau has lightened his administrative load.  He automates assignments and tracks grading and student evaluations in one place. He was also able to decrease damage to lab equipment and reduce materials costs through the use of immersive equipment simulators.

How does this investment into supplemental tools translate into measurable results?  100% of students graduated with at least one industry-recognized certification, 100% of graduates passed the state NOCTI exam with Advanced or Proficient overall scores and 81% of graduates continue in the HVAC field or post-secondary education!

“We’re not a huge town, but there’s a decent amount of companies around, and we try our best to do our part to prepare and place kids into the workforce,” says Mumau.

As other trade skills programs look to be a credible provider of qualified candidates to fill the workforce void, equipping instructors with training tools that engage students and complement classroom training is a powerful path to producing the best program outcomes.  Interplay’s easily accessible platform allows students to view, train, and practice their skills on any device, or in virtual reality. “The result is a highly trained employee who is job-ready in weeks, not years,” according to the company. 

You can learn more about Interplay Learning here.
Austin-based Interplay Learning is the industry leader in immersive training solutions for the skilled trades.  Featuring expert-led videos, hands-on 3D simulations, knowledge checks, and personalized learning paths, Interplay’s training platform is more scalable and engaging than traditional training. Leveraging advanced technologies like AI and VR, Interplay is reshaping the future of online skilled trades training, delivering highly effective learning experiences that result in better careers and better lives. 

(NewsUSA) - A Gigantic Leap: First Contact by David Brown

What happens when a Galactic Federation of peaceful planets offers humanity a chance to join them and with it a gigantic leap into a bright future filled with all the marvels a billion-year advance of technology and intelligence can offer?

All we have to do is renounce violence, embrace peace, and evolve into a higher consciousness. But if we don't, we may soon find ourselves quarantined, or worse, eradicated like a virus to prevent our violent ways from spreading across the galaxy.

The clock is ticking. Now it's on the shoulders of a few unlikely heroes to save the day before it's too late. It won't be easy because they quickly discover that our world isn't quite ready to give peace a chance, even when it means a choice between paradise on Earth or the cataclysmic consequences. Purchase at https://amzn.to/46Rkktn.

GO: Living Wisdom for Those Willing to Live by Shyan Selah

GO is a collection of inspirational and motivational quotes from the multi-talented creative artist and entrepreneur, Shyan Selah. Created as a daily support tool for those looking to remain motivated, GO is driven by one central and enduring theme: no matter the goal, circumstance, skill set, or talent, nothing can change for the better until one takes action.

Each quote contained in this book is an original piece of wisdom generated directly from Shyan Selah's own unique life and is designed to ignite that spark one needs to boldly step out of procrastination and stagnation and simply GO!

The author also operates The Shyan Selah Foundation, a non-profit organization that produces special events, workshops, and showcases for youth that promote higher education and which he produces and tours throughout middle schools, high schools, and college campuses.Purchase at https://amzn.to/3rLMqr5.

Sanity: It’s Optional in Today’s Culture by Domenic Zarrella

Born in 1961 at a time when mental Illness wasn't talked about and the treatments were almost medieval, Domenic Zarrella had no idea that what afflicted him upon graduating from college was major depression. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder with psychotic features in 1995 at the age of 34, Domenic suffered the sadness, fatigue, and self-medication through alcohol for 12 years until being diagnosed after a manic psychotic episode.

His insights into the mystery of mental illness can benefit anyone afflicted by this menace, or their loved ones. Domenic can help readers understand what is going on inside the mind of a loved one when they do all those crazy things. But most important is his message of hope that the mentally ill can triumph through the advancements achieved in medications, counseling and awareness.  Purchase at https://bit.ly/3ZYeFiZ.

The Dark Side of Agile Coaching: Unmasking the Codependent Coach by Angela Doyle

In the ever-evolving landscape of business and technology, agile practices have emerged as a beacon of adaptability and responsiveness. At the heart of this transformative movement stand agile coaches, who guide teams and organizations toward the holy grail of agility. Yet, amidst the noble pursuit of agility, beneath the surface can be an undercurrent of anti-patterns that inadvertently hinders the overall business and organizational goals.

Readers embark on a journey of discovery, shedding light on this troubling aspect of agile and business coaching.  Agility coaching has the power to unlock the full potential of teams and organizations to accelerate their corporate goals.  In the “Dark Side of Agile Coaching:  Unmasking the Codependent Coach” the readers are taking on a journey to cultivating healthy coaching relationships. Purchase at https://www.inoatar.com/agilecoachingbook.

(NewsUSA) - Teaching in the Dark by Genet Simone

“A poignant memoir of leaping to the unknown on so many fronts…A book that will animate your mind for days after you finish it,” says one Amazon reviewer.

A young teacher buys a one-way ticket to Shishmaref, Alaska. Within minutes of landing, she finds herself dealing with unexpected, rustic accommodations, and the culture shock of living in a remote Iñuit community.

She relies on her courage, resilience, and wit while enduring freezing temperatures, power outages, loneliness, and first-year teacher anxieties and missteps, but eventually realizes that those challenges pale in comparison to the life lessons she learns about the heart of teaching—lessons from her students, their culture, and their community, on the vast, windy landscape at the edge of the Chukchi Sea. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3QAa0z9.

The Irish Connection by Norma Jennings

For those who love epic stories, this gripping page-turner unveils the brutality of imperialism in Ireland and the Caribbean Island of Jamaica. A historical saga you will never forget. 

West Cork, Ireland, 1846: Desperate and half-starved, an Irishman boards a hurricane-battered ship to the Caribbean. But life away from Ireland is also bleak. The ship is attacked by pirates, his best friend is killed, and he arrives on a distressful, slave-scourged island. 

Jamaica, West Indies, 1846 - 1849: Sean O'Sullivan barely endures his work as overseer for the cruelest British planter in Jamaica. Britain is forced to abolish slavery, but angry planters continue to brutalize Blacks. Rebellions erupt and activists are lynched. O'Sullivan quietly resists planter abuse and creates thriving farming communities owned by his ex-slaves. 

How will he survive, as uprisings continue to flare and a well-respected human rights activist returns home to Jamaica? Purchase at https://amzn.to/3EUaVFp.

So, Is Retirement Supposed to Suck? By George Dean

A must-read for anyone who plans on retiring someday. It speaks of author George M. Dean’s pitfalls and how others can learn from his mistakes. This book is divided into two sections:
 In the first part, George recalls some of the more damaging memories from his childhood such as his father using him as a human connection to the rabbit-ears on top of the TV or getting busted by a nun for perusing through a Playboy magazine.

The second part explains why retirement is not what it’s cracked up to be. According to George, it’s the people --  people who work for major corporations and get off on responding in the most negative patterns. Anyone nearing retirement is sure to enjoy this humorous and honest account of the author’s experiences. Purchase at https://bit.ly/3QCPCgY.

Knocktopia: Secret of the Mother Lode by Hunter Malone

In this middle grade/YA adventure novel, a trail of cryptic codes sends Ben and Sam deep underground to discover a treasure more valuable than gold. Ben Coolahan loves his life in Boston in 1873, but when his father passes, he's sent west to the family's mine. Ben's father left him a medallion, coded messages, and a warning to keep them secret. His new guardian, Delilah, sends him to work in the mine. Ben finds refuge with a Cornish miner who shares his superstitions and tales of the knocking.

 A quick-witted girl, Sam, helps Ben unravel the codes and their hidden messages, which lead them underground to discover a precious treasure. Miners are blasting their way toward the wall of gold. But gold is not what Ben and Sam are protecting, and they'll have to risk the mine's fortune to save lives. Purchase at https://bit.ly/47fQ4ZH.

(NewsUSA) - The holidays are here, and you can be the host with the most by offering guests a truly distinctive and delicious menu to celebrate in style.

A holiday brunch is a great way to relax and reconnect with friends and family, and a menu that adapts easily to large or small groups leaves you more time to spend with your guests.

When planning your holiday party, don’t be afraid to get creative with food and drinks based on your theme.  Going snowman? Try snowman pancakes: place two pancakes on a plate with one on top of the other, take a piece of bacon and place it where the pancakes meet for a scarf; chocolate chips, nuts, mini M&Ms, or raisins can serve as eyes, nose, or buttons. Keep it simple, or make it sophisticated. 

Don’t want to mess up the kitchen? Slide some mini powdered donuts onto skewers and add chocolate candy hats (mini Reese’s cups?) and licorice scarves for a simple snowman kabob that will delight all ages.

Finally, fill your guests with cheer and serve up Seagram’s Escapes Berry Merry Spritz, made special with the sweet and tangy flavor of Seagram’s Escapes Berry Mimosa.

The directions are simple, no advance planning needed, and a perfect choice for last-minute guests or impromptu holiday celebrations.

-1 ½ ounces cranberry juice

- 2 ounces Seagram’s Escapes Berry Mimosa

- 2 ounces prosecco

-3/4 ounce elderflower liqueur

-1 tsp white sanding sugar for rim of glass

-Garnish: 1 rosemary spring, 1 raspberry, 1 cranberry for each glass

Prepare your glass by moistening the rim and dipping it in sanding sugar. Fill the prepared glass with ice. Add elderflower liqueur, cranberry juice, Seagram’s Escapes Berry Mimosa, and prosecco.

For an extra special festive touch, press a toothpick through the center of a cranberry to make a hole. Thread the cranberry and a raspberry through the stem of a rosemary sprig. Place in the drink and enjoy!

This recipe doubles or triples easily to accommodate extra guests, and you can customize it to suit your tastes and setup; add extra spirits for a bit more merriment, swap in some favorite fruits, or make ice cubes with additional Seagram’s Escapes Berry Mimosa for an extra burst of flavor as the drinks chill.
 

Visit seagramescapes.com/seagrams-recipes for more ideas and information.

(NewsUSA) - According to the American Heart Association, the world’s leading nonprofit organization focused on heart and brain health for all, more than half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure, a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. However, a new poll from the Association revealed only about one-third (30%) of adults have talked with their health care professional about the effect some over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can have on blood pressure.

If you have high blood pressure, ask your health care professional – such as a doctor, nurse or pharmacist – about monitoring your blood pressure at home with a validated device, and discuss the impact of any over-the-counter medications. Some medicines, such as over-the-counter pain relievers and decongestants, oral birth control, amphetamines and others may raise blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association’s most recent Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation and Management of High Blood Pressure.

The poll, conducted online for the American Heart Association by market research firm Big Village, surveyed approximately 3,000 U.S. adults aged 18 and older.

The most frequent users of over-the-counter pain relievers were adults aged 45-54 years; nearly half took medication for pain once a week or more.

Overall, 61% of those polled had not discussed the effects of some over-the-counter pain relievers on blood pressure with a health care professional.

High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is when your blood pressure, or the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels, is consistently too high. When left untreated, the damage that high blood pressure does to your circulatory system can be a significant contributor to heart attack, stroke and other health threats.

“It’s paramount that people who have high blood pressure, or are at risk for it, understand the effects associated with some over-the-counter pain relievers,” said Mitchell S. V. Elkind, M.D., M.S., FAHA, chief clinical science officer of the American Heart Association and a tenured professor of neurology and epidemiology at Columbia University in New York City. “A conversation with a healthcare professional about pain relief options is essential to preventing and managing high blood pressure,” he emphasized.

If you have high blood pressure, checking blood pressure at home regularly with a validated device is a proven way to manage it. High blood pressure is defined as a consistent measurement of 130 over 80 mm Hg or higher, according to the American Heart Association. Work with your health care professional to develop a plan to control it.

“Some over-the-counter pain relievers are safer than others,” added Elkind. “A conversation with a health care professional regularly about medications you or a loved one takes is an important step in finding safe options and controlling blood pressure.”

For more information on managing high blood pressure, visit heart.org/bptools.

(NewsUSA) - How a Pennsylvania Trade School Achieved a 100% graduation and pass rate on the NOCTI state exam

As the U.S. workforce struggles to fill a massive labor gap in the skilled trades industry, the fact that many skilled tradespeople are approaching retirement age only amplifies the problem.  As older workers retire, there need to be more younger workers to replace them; workers that feel confident and ready for entry-level roles in the trades.

The Indiana County Technology Center (ICTC), located in Indiana, Pennsylvania, is filling this void of candidates in the HVAC field by teaching students with a best-in-class training approach.

DJ Mumau, HVAC instructor at ICTC, noticed the skill gaps issue when he previously worked in the industry and realized that at the age of 30, he was the youngest person amongst his coworkers.

When he joined ICTC, he faced several challenges. Student knowledge was hard to assess, personalized feedback was hard to deliver, lesson planning was time-consuming and student follow-through was unmanageable. As program enrollments grew, Mumau experienced challenges with the reach, scalability and effectiveness of course instruction. 

Recognizing the need for additional resources, Mumau researched supplemental training tools to prepare his students for HVAC roles upon graduation and landed on Interplay Learning, an online provider of training for skilled trades that includes virtual reality and 3D simulations.

“I realized it had everything I needed; I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel,” he said. “I started with a handful of seats for a few students to trial, and today, each one of my students has an Interplay account that they start using from day one through to graduation,” he said.

Mumau teaches his students in the classroom or does a lab demonstration, then assigns them an Interplay course where they can interact with the same concepts through images, videos and diagrams outside of the classroom. Students then apply what they have learned in hands-on shop sessions.
Integrating Interplay’s simulation courses into the curriculum gives students a clear and objective roadmap to practice their skills and competencies, preparing them to pass state exams and credentialing requirements, achieve multiple industry certifications, and land entry-level jobs.

On-going practice and repetition of fundamentals in a 3D environment accelerate the student’s ability to work with specialty tools and live HVAC/R equipment in the lab. 

Key successes of the program include improved student learning retention with online, supplemental HVAC courses that reinforce lectures and lab assignments, elevated lab performance, successful outcomes in state exams and increased post-grad job placements.

By supplementing classroom training, Mumau has lightened his administrative load.  He automates assignments and tracks grading and student evaluations in one place. He was also able to decrease damage to lab equipment and reduce materials costs through the use of immersive equipment simulators.

How does this investment into supplemental tools translate into measurable results?  100% of students graduated with at least one industry-recognized certification, 100% of graduates passed the state NOCTI exam with Advanced or Proficient overall scores and 81% of graduates continue in the HVAC field or post-secondary education!

“We’re not a huge town, but there’s a decent amount of companies around, and we try our best to do our part to prepare and place kids into the workforce,” says Mumau.

As other trade skills programs look to be a credible provider of qualified candidates to fill the workforce void, equipping instructors with training tools that engage students and complement classroom training is a powerful path to producing the best program outcomes.  Interplay’s easily accessible platform allows students to view, train, and practice their skills on any device, or in virtual reality. “The result is a highly trained employee who is job-ready in weeks, not years,” according to the company. 

You can learn more about Interplay Learning here.
Austin-based Interplay Learning is the industry leader in immersive training solutions for the skilled trades.  Featuring expert-led videos, hands-on 3D simulations, knowledge checks, and personalized learning paths, Interplay’s training platform is more scalable and engaging than traditional training. Leveraging advanced technologies like AI and VR, Interplay is reshaping the future of online skilled trades training, delivering highly effective learning experiences that result in better careers and better lives.