iXplore Introduces VR Training Program for Orthopedic Careers

In partnership with OrthoWorx, iXplore conducted a “soft launch” of its orthopedic career virtual reality (VR) experience, gathering feedback from students and industry professionals.

OrthoWorx has teamed up with iXplore to expose students to prospective orthopedic careers. Funded by a Don Wood Foundation grant, the partnership is attempting to gain students’ interest in the industry by “gamifying” hard-to-fill roles through VR modules in key concentrations, including polishing, machining, and entrepreneurship.

Last week, as a part of their January BootCamp, students from the Kosciusko Student Venture Challenge tested the the newly developed VR experience and contributed “voice of customer” feedback that will be used to tweak the program. iXplore also gained insight on potential modifications from industry professionals who shared their expertise during the VR program’s initial development phase. iXplore based some of the VR characters on real employees in the orthopedic industry.

“I loved how interactive it was and how it was personalized,” a high school senior said after trying out the VR experience. “I was able to learn something new. This is a really cool thing to make available for people.”

“I love learning about the different jobs, and I wanted to learn more!” a junior high school student added.

iXplore will use students’ feedback to fine-tune the VR modules in preparation for a full program roll-out this spring. Students from Tippecanoe Valley, Warsaw, Wawasee, and Whitko schools will be able to immerse themselves in the orthopedic industry and learn about potential career opportunities.

“It’s always exciting to see students immerse themselves in our partner experiences and provide valuable feedback,” iXplore Co-Founter/CEO Heather Jackson stated. “At this event, over 80% of students said they preferred VR over other ways of exploring careers, and nearly all shared that they learned something new they hadn’t known before.”

OrthoWorx is an initiative formed in 2009 through initial funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The initiative aims to fill a void in the orthopedic industry by serving as a connector for industry, education, and the community. OrthoWorx was specifically designed to help the Warsaw, Ind., region become the best place for orthopedic industry talent to grow and thrive. OrthoWorx acts as a catalyst, deepening connections among the various interrelated moving parts of the orthopedic industry ecosystem.

iXplore creates immersive experiences for forward-thinking recruiters that capture attention and inspire hope in their next generation of talent. Through engaging theatrical journeys, the company enables talent acquisition teams to share career opportunities at scale.