In this episode, ArborXR co-founders Brad Scoggin and Will Stackable explore how Energy Safety Canada is using XR to address an anticipated job shortage in the country’s energy industry.

Program Managers Kelly Johnson and Lisa Pollio lead an initiative that uses VR to engage and educate students about the careers in the energy industry. Since 2019, they’ve launched VR experiences that virtually transport users to drilling rigs, oil sands, and other worksites, offering immersive career exploration.

You’ll learn how the organization uses “virtual field trips” to give students hands-on insights into the energy industry’s diverse roles, from engineering to environmental sustainability.

Using ArborXR’s device management, Energy Safety Canada streamlines content and keeps devices updated, reaching over 3,000 students annually. With gamified VR content and relatable career options, they aim to reshape perceptions of energy careers, showing the sector as tech-driven and full of exciting opportunities.

Timestamps:

Introduction to Energy Safety Canada (01:05)
What careers in energy can look like (05:54)
How does Energy Safety Canada source their content (07:45)
How did Energy Safety Canada decide on this use case? (10:53)
Challenges and lessons learned (14:38)
Using ArborXR to manage logistics (19:03)
Where is VR headed? (26:03)

About the Guests:

Lisa Pollio has been at Energy Safety Canada for over 5 years. She is dedicated to engaging students with immersive VR experiences that highlight career opportunities in energy. Passionate about technology and education, she is a Program Manager leading initiatives that gamify industry roles, showing the diversity and dynamism of energy careers to future generations.

Kelly Johnson is a Program Manager at Energy Safety Canada, where she leads innovative projects to inspire young talent in the energy industry. With a background in workforce development, she focuses on creating VR experiences that offer students an immersive look into energy careers, helping to bridge the gap between education and industry needs.

About ArborXR:

ArborXR helps organizations confidently manage VR & AR devices at scale, remotely install content, and control what users can see and do in the headset. Our mission is to help people live more meaningful lives through the power of XR. Learn more at https://arborxr.com.

Links & Resources:

Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-johnson-79594265/
Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-pollio-bodnarus-crsp-823872b/
Connect with Brad on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-scoggin/
Connect with Will on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willstackable/