ABC Institute Partners with Uplift Training to Launch Virtual Reality Apprenticeship Platform

ABC Institute, Florida's largest apprenticeship provider, has partnered with Uplift Training to develop ABC Labs, a virtual reality training platform designed to transform how apprentices learn critical trade skills. The collaboration represents a significant advancement in apprenticeship education, blending ABC Institute's 50-year history with cutting-edge immersive technology that could reshape workforce development in the construction industry.

The ABC Labs platform will bring gamified VR technology into classrooms and labs across all 13 ABC Institute campuses throughout Florida. The program will initially focus on electrical training before expanding to all seven trades currently offered, including HVAC, plumbing, pipe fitting, line erector, roofing and fire sprinkler. This gradual deployment ensures systematic implementation across the statewide network while allowing for refinement based on initial results.

The technology addresses a critical challenge in trade education: equipment limitations. When only six electrical panels are available for a class of 20 students, the VR tool provides additional practice and reinforcement opportunities. This approach extends training beyond physical constraints, making learning more accessible and engaging for all apprentices regardless of lab space availability. The platform effectively democratizes access to hands-on training experiences that were previously limited by resource constraints.

Sonny Maken, Chief Operating Officer of ABC Institute, emphasized the transformative potential of this initiative. This collaboration allows us to reimagine how apprenticeship training is delivered. By bringing VR into our classrooms, we're ensuring that every apprentice has the opportunity to learn and practice, regardless of lab space or equipment constraints. It's about preparing the next generation of craft professionals with the tools they need to succeed.

For Uplift Training, the partnership demonstrates the company's commitment to scaling workforce training through AI-driven, immersive technology. The company designs VR, AR and XR training modules that are industry-aligned, scalable and future-proof, serving various industries including construction. Josh Hanes, CEO of Uplift Training, highlighted the broader implications of the technology. Virtual reality has the power to unlock learning opportunities that were previously limited by physical resources. Through ABC Labs, apprentices will be able to learn, practice and master skills in ways that are both hands-on and scalable—helping to build a stronger, more resilient workforce for the future.

The gamified approach is expected to particularly resonate with younger generations, potentially drawing new talent into the trades through interactive, immersive experiences. This addresses workforce development challenges by making trade careers more appealing to digital-native learners who have grown up with gaming and interactive technology. The platform represents a strategic investment in modernizing apprenticeship training methods while maintaining the practical, hands-on approach essential to trade education.

Looking forward, ABC Labs is positioned to become a valuable resource not only for ABC Institute students but also for other apprenticeship programs seeking to expand capacity without major infrastructure investments. The partnership between these established and innovative organizations signals a broader shift toward technology-enhanced workforce development in the construction trades. For more information about ABC Institute's programs, visit https://www.wetrain.org, while details about Uplift Training's immersive learning solutions can be found at https://www.uplifttraining.com/.