Interplay Learning Launches Simulation-Based HVAC Skills Verification
Key Highlights
- Interplay Learning's Skill Varification utilizes simulation-based assessments to evaluate practical skills in trades such as HVAC, electrical, and manufacturing.
- It provides detailed step-by-step performance feedback, including missed steps and decision points, helping employers verify worker skills before job assignments, promotions, or contractor authorization.
- Skill Verification addresses the challenges of traditional hands-on evaluations by offering a scalable, consistent assessment method.
AUSTIN, Texas — Interplay Learning launched Skill Verification, introducing simulation-based assessments to help employers evaluate workers' hands-on skills before job assignments, contractor authorization, and promotion decisions.
The tool uses simulated equipment and operating conditions to assess performance on specific trades-related tasks. It provides supervisors and safety leaders with objective scores and step-level details about missed steps, task sequence, and decisions.
The initial catalog includes 20 assessments for commercial HVAC, facilities management, manufacturing, data centers, and critical infrastructure. Topics include using a digital multimeter, tool selection and inspection, and industrial electrical lockout/tagout safety procedures.
The assessments address a challenge for skilled trades employers: verifying practical ability before assigning workers to jobs. Traditional hands-on evaluations can require specialized equipment, dedicated facilities, and significant supervisor time. Interviews and multiple-choice tests also may not demonstrate whether a worker can perform a task in real-world conditions.
“What Skill Verification gives us is a way to actually demonstrate and prove that a technician can perform the skills we need them to perform,” said Matt Ellenberg, director of training at Southern Home Services. He added that the tool is valuable as the company continues to grow.
Unlike a simple pass-or-fail result, each assessment provides detailed performance feedback. Employers can use the results to identify specific skill gaps and direct remediation efforts. The format also offers a consistent method for evaluating workers across multiple locations, shifts and service partners.
Interplay Learning CEO and founder Doug Donovan said the tool is designed to give operations and safety leaders objective evidence of demonstrated performance. This information can help employers make more informed workforce-readiness decisions.
Educational institutions and workforce development programs can also use Skill Verification to evaluate students' hands-on skills before they enter the workforce.
More information is available at Interplay Learning's Skill Verification website.