Bodyswaps and Meta Immersive Learning partner to launch grant for VR soft skills training

In Virtual Reality News

November 16, 2022 – Bodyswaps, a provider of immersive learning software that allows learners to practice soft skills in virtual reality (VR) with AI-enabled analytical feedback, has today announced a partnership with Meta Immersive Learning. The two companies will collaborate to create a grant that will provide 100 higher and further education institutions with access to virtual reality hardware and software across the UK, North America, France and Belgium.

Bodyswaps’ VR platform brings realistic simulations and AI-enabled feedback to soft skills training, enabling students to practise and fail safely without repercussions, while building the communication, teamwork and leadership skills needed for successful careers. The London based start-up is now working together with Meta to make soft skills learning VR experiences more accessible to all.

Through the partnership, Bodyswaps will provide each institution with 3-months of unlimited, free access to its full soft skills learning library, whilst Meta will support by providing hardware donations of its Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headsets to institutions.

According to Bodyswaps, institutions will be able to select a variety of courses, including modules on public speaking, job interviews and anti-racism training, to empower students with soft skill development that may have been affected as a result of the pandemic.

Bodyswaps added that the partnership will double up as a research project, leveraging data collected from students and staff, to demonstrate the potential impact of metaverse technologies in education.

“Every student deserves a fair chance at a successful life. XR, as a learning technology, has the potential to level the playing field when it comes to learning life-changing soft skills. Working with Meta, we have a unique opportunity to kickstart the metaverse revolution in education,” said Christophe Mallet, CEO and Co-founder of Bodyswaps.

Meta’s Immersive Learning Initiative

Through Meta Immersive Learning, Meta is investing USD $150M to help develop the next generation of metaverse creators, fund high quality immersive experiences that can transform the way people learn, and increase access to learning through technology.

“To understand the true value and potential of immersive technologies for learning, we must first increase access and opportunity to nonprofits, educational institutions, and key communities. We’re excited to partner with Bodyswaps to remove barriers to immersive technologies, empower both educators and learners and unlock new opportunities in the education industry,” said Leticia Jauregui, Global Head of Meta Immersive Learning.

Together Bodyswaps and Meta Immersive learning are aiming to inspire people by demonstrating the possibilities for learning in the metaverse.

The program is open to higher and further education institutions located in the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, France and Belgium. Institutions looking to be grant recipients can submit their applications here, with entries for application open from 16th November – 20th December 2022.

For more information on Bodyswaps and its immersive soft skills training solutions, please visit the company’s website.

Image credit: Bodyswaps