America’s skilled-trades workforce needs a stronger pipeline—and students need more than brochures to understand what these careers can offer. Be Pro Be Proud’s new partnership with Milwaukee Tool brings professional-grade equipment into its Mobile Workshops, six virtual reality career modules, and student recognition programs. The partnership connects career exploration with the tools and technology students would encounter on the job, helping make pathways in plumbing, HVAC, electrical work, carpentry, water technology, and diesel technology more tangible.
Groove Jones created the immersive foundation for these VR experiences by working with Be Pro Be Proud’s leadership and state sponsors to translate real skilled-trade tasks into approachable, gamified challenges. Developed in Unity for Meta Quest headsets and deployed through the scalable GrooveTech platform, the simulations place students inside realistic work scenarios—from repairing broken pipes and electrical systems to diagnosing diesel equipment and restoring a damaged water main. Students complete sequenced tasks, receive feedback based on speed and accuracy, and learn how their performance connects to skill levels, career opportunities, and potential earnings.
This is more than a technology or product partnership. It is an investment in workforce awareness and the next generation of skilled professionals. Be Pro Be Proud has reached more than 600,000 students nationally since 2016, while Milwaukee Tool expects to invest $200 million in U.S. skilled-trades workforce development by 2030. Together, the program demonstrates how immersive technology, authentic tools, and hands-on experiences can help young people see themselves succeeding in essential, high-demand careers.
Read the full announcement in Contractor Magazine.
See how Groove Jones created the Be Pro Be Proud VR experiences.
