Allison Balanc, Digital and Marketing Strategy Manager for TradesFutures, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference in New Orleans, and a unique virtual reality experience the organization will be offering for free during the gathering.
TradesFutures is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that was founded in 2022. The program helps direct underrepresented individuals interested in the trades to Apprenticeship Readiness Programs (ARP) across the country. Balanc explained the way that TradesFutures works with state and local building trades councils to develop and improve the quality of the training in ARPs. Since being founded, the program has improved its participants diversification to about 21 percent female and 27 percent people of color.
As part of their efforts to improve diversity in the trades and grow ARPs, TradesFutures will offer a unique virtual reality experience during NABTU’s Tradeswomen Build Nations. They have partnered with a group called the Alabama Experience (ALEX), a mobile career virtual reality experience. Balanc discussed the 14 trade experiences that will be available inside of the experience.
The free experience will be available at the Hilton Whale Wall Parking Lot in New Orleans Sept. 26-28 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Balanc said the trailer for the experience will be seen during the banner parade. If anyone is seeking more information about the experience, they can visit TradesFutures' Facebook or X account linked on this page.
Listen to the show above to hear more about the unique experience TradesFutures will be offering at TWBN this weekend.