Residents in northern Pennsylvania will have access to immersive education in an in-demand industry, thanks to a local partnership.

Northern Pennsylvania Regional College (NPRC) has received a $41,000 grant from the West Penn Energy Fund to launch a 12-month program using virtual and augmented reality (VR/AR) tools to teach residents about renewable energy, energy efficiency and related careers, according to a recent news release. The fund is a philanthropic program supported by energy company West Penn Power.

The initiative will roll out in Cameron, Elk, McKean and Potter counties, where NPRC will partner with school districts and community groups to engage students in middle and high school, as well as adults seeking career exploration or retraining.

The program will include monthly sessions at community spaces with additional outreach through local partners. The curriculum will rely on zSpace, an ed-tech platform for VR and AR lessons in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), career and technical education and workforce readiness. WithzSpace, participants can use specialized laptops and glasses to manipulate objects in real time, simulating hands-on labs or workplace scenarios.

The motivation for the project is partly economic. NPRC leaders described it as a way to build a more skilled workforce that could help attract employers in renewable energy and sustainability, a growing sector. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, job growth in the clean energy sector in 2023 was 4.2 percent, outpacing the 2 percent general job growth in America. According to the “2025 United States Energy and Employment Report,” job growth in many clean energy sectors like nuclear, electric, solar and wind, is expected to rise, but employers are having trouble finding qualified candidates with enough experience and education to fill those roles.

This issue has prompted programs like NPRC’s to crop up. For example, in one 2024 program in Ohio, community colleges and other schools used VR for career exploration and competency training in a variety of vocations, including solar technician. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has also started incorporating AR and VR into its courses on alternative energy.

NPRC plans to hire a part-time educator to design and deliver at least two sessions per month, using zSpace curricula and collaborating with schools and local organizations. It builds on the college’s work providing technical education to residents through programs like an associate’s degree in applied technology and workforce certificates in electrician training and manufacturing technology.

“This program will empower NPRC to deliver immersive, hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity and build essential skills in energy-related fields,” NPRC’s Vice President of Workforce Development Adam Johnson said in a public statement. “This initiative strengthens NPRC’s mission and supports community growth by preparing a future-ready workforce.”