Interplay Learning, a leading provider of online and VR training for the essential skilled trades, and the Texas Air Conditioning Contractors Association (TACCA), a nonprofit trade association committed to helping heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors, announce the launch of a new 3D and virtual reality interactive training program designed to get newly hired HVAC technicians upskilled and truck-ready faster and level-up more experienced techs.

The TACCA SkillMill Technician Training program powered by Interplay Learning delivers online hands-on simulation training to help both residential and commercial contractors meet the ongoing challenge of the skilled trades labor shortage.

"Workforce development is one of the top priorities for TACCA and our contractor members across the state," said Roland Arrisola, TACCA president and vice president of HVAC operations at Stan's Heating, Air & Plumbing LLC. "With the TACCA SkillMill Technician Training, Interplay Learning empowers us to offer Texas contractors a proven training and apprenticeship solution to bring new people into the industry and quickly prepare them for the job. This innovative training is the best opportunity for business owners to effectively connect with the new generation of talent that will be essential for success in the industry in the coming years."

Interplay Learning's courses for the TACCA SkillMill Technician Training include expert-led video-based training, knowledge checks, and hands-on 3D simulations to help technicians rapidly develop on-the-job skills and practice troubleshooting in a risk-free environment. The on-demand course content provides flexibility so techs can practice anytime, according to their learning style, using a tablet, computer or virtual reality headset. Small, easily digestible formats mean techs can learn a little at a time or combine multiple short lessons into longer learning sessions. Learners using the TACCA SkillMill Technician Training can also prepare for EPA certification, NATE certification and earn CEUs.

"We understand the challenges HVAC contractors face regarding the shortage of skilled technicians," said Doug Donovan, Interplay Learning's founder and CEO. "Partnering with TACCA is an opportunity to offer contractors throughout Texas a powerful new tool that streamlines and accelerates the process of recruiting, training and retaining the talent they need to succeed in their markets. At the same time, the TACCA SkillMill Technician Training also serves to strengthen the tech-native next generation of the skilled trades workforce that is driving the industry into the future."

The SkillMill Technician Training program makes it easier to manage and scale technician training. With a comprehensive dashboard, management can easily assign courses, monitor progress, and track course completion for all of their workers. They can also use Interplay's online skills assessment to get an objective read out of their workers' skills so that training can be customized to their unique needs.

"We are excited to partner with Interplay Learning to bring this interactive training program to Texas HVAC companies looking to quickly get their new technicians trained and keep all of their technicians honing their technical skills," said Devorah Jakubowsky, TACCA's executive director. "This highly effective training will save hours of time a contractor would spend with hand-on training, freeing them up to manage their business."

TACCA's SkillMill Technician Training powered by Interplay Learning is available to all contractors throughout Texas. More information, including technology requirements for the platform, is listed at www.tacca.org/techtraining.