By Ben McCarthy
A new program is underway at Mid-Continent Public Libraries (MCPL) to help introduce job seekers to new career ideas and concepts by way of virtual reality simulations. The Square One Small Business Center at MCPL will be traveling with the Virtual Reality Career Simulation to libraries throughout the region through the summer. The program, funded by a grant from the Kauffman Foundation, offers users a chance to simulate workday experiences in a wide variety of professions, including construction, cyber security, and medical surgery. Square One Director, Ashley Muffitt, says the technology is already drawing rave reviews from job seekers of all ages.
“We have all ages interested in the (VR) technology, we just had participants ranging from about 16 years old all the way up to 60 years old at a recent library,” Muffitt said. “Most of the VR simulations are geared towards in-demand jobs for those at a GED level.”
The simulations run on a Meta Quest 3 headset that MCPL purchased ($500 each), after reaching an agreement last year with the software company, Transfr, a virtual reality company based in New York. That software, which costs $5000 annually, gives the library access to a host of growing simulations for job seekers. Currently, there are 36 simulations available to explore, with another 6 promised on the way.
Muffit and Program Manager Torey Berndt are also looking to build partnerships with local school districts to get the simulations in front of teens for the coming fall semester.
Much of Transfr’s customer base still comes from the classroom. Today, the company is in over 1,100 locations across the country. Locally, they also partner with MoKan Goodwill. MCPL is one of the few library systems in the country to have the software. Katie George, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Transfr, says the technology is not only drawing in the expected younger crowds, but also older generations that really get hooked into it once they get a feel for it.
“We continue to see a very diverse set of clients around the country,” George said. “We think that we help show kids careers that they never imagined, that may not exist in their neighborhoods.”
For those interested in utilizing MCPL’s Virtual Reality Career Simulation, contact squareone@mymcpl.org or visit mymcpl.org/SquareOne.