Interplay Learning Earns IACET Award for Impactful VR Trades Training

IACET’s latest recognition reinforces the growing importance of interactive, tech-driven training solutions for the HVACR and industrial workforce.

Oct. 16, 2025

2 min read

Interplay Learning

AUSTIN, Texas — Interplay Learning, a provider of virtual reality and simulation-based training for the skilled trades, has received the 2025 Instructional Impact Award from the International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET). The award recognizes organizations that demonstrate measurable learning outcomes through innovative instructional design.

This marks Interplay Learning’s second consecutive honor from IACET. In 2024, the company earned the Innovation of the Year Award for Technology Integration for its AI-powered Skill Advisor and Mentor (SAM), a virtual assistant designed to enhance training efficiency and learner engagement.

According to Interplay Learning CEO and Founder Doug Donovan, the recognition reflects the company’s mission to strengthen the skilled trades workforce through advanced digital tools. “By combining our technology with our unique pedagogical philosophy, we help learners retain knowledge and enable organizations to develop skilled workforces more efficiently,” Donovan said.

Interplay Learning’s platform integrates immersive 3D simulations, online courses, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence to deliver hands-on, risk-free training experiences. This approach helps workers build confidence and technical skill without requiring physical lab space or taking production equipment offline.

“In the trades today, employers face many challenges, including a tight labor market and training modalities that are increasingly outdated,” Donovan said. “A robust and thoughtful training program can address these issues by meeting workers where they are, providing them with interactive learning opportunities that allow them to gain confidence through repetition. This positions employees to be not just part-changers but problem-solvers, which in turn helps them feel more invested in their work.”

IACET’s awards represent a benchmark for excellence in continuing education, based on research-driven standards and proven instructional best practices. The recognition underscores Interplay Learning’s continued influence in shaping the future of workforce development across industries such as HVACR, manufacturing, and industrial maintenance.

For more information, visit www.interplaylearning.com.