b'TECHNOLOGYInstead of jumping right on a loader orVR. Using VR technology, people could interact with the work environments they an excavator, [participants] can go on thewere exploring. simulators, and they can really interactCUSTOMIZED CONTENTThen, in 2023, ORIGIN went a step further with them and see if they have the skill andand began building customized course the ability. It gives them a kind of sneakcontent and training modules. ORIGIN works with various industries to capture peek, or a teaser, into what its like to be inworksites in 360-degree videos and then uploads those experiences to its those trades. immersiveLink app so people can expe-rience what its like to work in a specific Charmaine McCraw, ORIGIN skilled trade. The company has a library of more than 50 worksites that people can experience virtually. They can go and see what its like to be a boilermaker. See what its like to be an airplane tech, McCraw says.To date, ORIGIN has created immersive-Link experiences with major employers within northern Ontario, including Ontario Power Generation (OPG), Musselwhite Mine, several forestry corporations, and various unions.While the immersiveLink app is useful for people of all ages, it is especially attrac-tive to younger generations, who are typi-cally more likely to embrace newer tech-nologies. It allows them to pre-screen and investigate the work sites theyll poten-tially work in and determine if a career in this field is something they can see them-selves doing.It takes away that intimidation factor. So instead of jumping right on a loader or an excavator, they can go on the simulators, and they can really interact with them and see if they have the skill and the ability. They can use it to practise and get their confidence up to be able to go and then join an industry training, or a union, and get further specialized training, McCraw says. It allows them to see the breadth of opportunities that are out there and gives them a kind of sneak peek, or a teaser, into what its like to be in those trades.While Kirkland is excited and eager to start his career as a heavy equipment operator, he is enthusiastic about trying VR training again if he decides to choose another career path in the future. The technology helped start him on his career path, and it can do the same for other young Indigenous people uncer-tain about where to start. I encourage others to try it out if ORIGIN visits your community, he says.40A CCIB PUBLICATIONSummer 2024'