MONTGOMERY – MGMWERX, on behalf of the Air University, recently orchestrated the installment of two virtual reality stations at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in Montgomery. Lobaki, a virtual reality company and academy, implemented the installation, will facilitate the training of select teachers at the high school. In turn, this Virtual Reality academy will assist in equipping students with professional skills in these technologies for future job opportunities.
“MGMWERX’s role in this project is to be a Super Connector, connecting industry ideas and solutions to the right technology and knowledge base,” stated Steve Werner, past Director of MGMWERX. “This will help to create a better workforce with better skills for a better future.”
Vince Jordan, founder of Lobaki Institute, will be training select teachers in hopes of assisting future graduates in readiness for professional careers. Students will have the opportunity to learn the full spectrum of virtual reality technology, including coding and graphics. Students who participate will be presented a certification that may be used in their professional pursuits post-graduation.
“Virtual Reality technology is quickly being adopted world-wide, even more so due to the world-wide pandemic, and there are not near enough skilled technologists that know how to leverage and apply this technology,” explained Jordan. “Our program gives young people the skills to be able to take advantage of this emerging technology and growing field. It prepares [the students] to work and thrive in any business environment where VR is being utilized, which will be most in just a couple of years.”
During the beginning sessions, staff will receive training on curriculum and the virtual reality equipment. Then, the students will begin their training in the 2021 Fall semester. Many students who have received the training have landed jobs, even with Loboki, before graduation.
“We are always on the lookout for emerging talent from the schools as well,” Jordan said. “We have already hired high school graduates from some of our schools to come and work at Lobaki.”
This virtual reality project is a small part of the Air University’s dedication to strengthening the bond between local military and public schools. The virtual reality project helps fulfill the objective to deliver top-notch STEM curriculum in the River Region.
“We got involved because this was an important project to our team and to Air University,” explained Joyce Vaughn, MGMWERX Marketing & Events Manager. “Bringing this type of technology and training to Montgomery, Alabama, particularly to Booker T. Washington, was an opportunity that we couldn’t pass up.”
MGMWERX was created under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement to align with the education initiatives of Air University. MGMWERX augments ongoing Air University programs, through events like Pitch Night, to enhance the production of high-quality, innovative research and ideas that span issues of importance to the Air Force. This includes, but is not limited to, doctrine, strategies, capability needs, operational concepts, training, education, and science and technology.