Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act of 2023
Over the next decade, the physical and digital worlds will merge on an unprecedented scale. This transformation, often called the Fourth Industrial Revolution, will reshape industries ranging from manufacturing and healthcare to education, logistics, and public safety. As the pace of innovation accelerates, it is critical that America’s workforce has the knowledge, skills, and tools to succeed in the 21st-century economy.
Workers today are increasingly expected to upgrade their skills throughout their careers — especially in fast-evolving sectors like energy, automotive, advanced manufacturing, and construction. Immersive technologies such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) have immense potential to meet these needs by enabling hands-on, scalable, and effective training solutions. XR tools improve learning retention, enhance collaboration, and expand access to high-quality training, particularly in underserved or under-resourced areas.
The XR Association is committed to advancing policies and initiatives that harness immersive technology to strengthen the American workforce. We advocate for federal support of XR-driven training programs, expanded funding for workforce innovation, and strong partnerships between government, industry, and educational institutions. By championing these efforts, XRA is helping to future-proof America’s workforce and ensure all workers have the opportunity to succeed.
To help meet these demands, the XR Association is proud to support the “Immersive Technology for the American Workforce Act of 2023” (H.R. 3211), introduced by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI). This bill would establish a grant program to support community colleges and career and technical education centers to develop programs for workforce development using immersive technology. This legislation recognizes the important role immersive technology will play in supporting workforce development across all sectors.