As the labor market evolves and technology rapidly advances, traditional workforce training methods often fall short. Join workforce, education, and industry leaders for a dynamic discussion on how immersive technologies, like virtual and augments reality, and competency-based learning are closing skills gaps, streamlining pathways to employment, and expanding access for underserved communities.

Attendees will:

• Explore the role of XR in accelerating skill acquisition and improving learner engagement.
• Understand how tech-enabled, job-aligned training can support underserved populations and expand access to high-wage career pathways.
• Learn about braided funding strategies (e.g., WIOA, Perkins, apprenticeship expansion) that support scalable, tech-driven workforce initiatives.
• Hear examples of public-private partnerships that are aligning training models with real industry needs.

Featuring Speakers:

• Ron Painter, Principal, Forbes Field Associates
• Dana Hudgins, Associate Director/COO, Upstate Workforce Board
• Jaime Wadowiec, Curriculum Program Specialist, Technical College System of Georgia
• Emily Decatur, Funding Manager, Transfr, Inc.

Whether you’re leading a workforce board, shaping CTE strategy, or building regional talent pipelines, this session will spark ideas and strategies you can put into action.