Interplay Career Development Platform

Interplay Learning is an Austin, Texas company that has built online and VR training for the essential skilled trades since 2016. It addresses the shortage of qualified technicians in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, facilities and industrial maintenance, solar, data centres and safety by helping employers make new hires job-ready in weeks rather than years. It serves customers in the United States and South Africa.

The Career Development Platform combines more than 500 hours of expert-made video courses with interactive 3D and VR simulations that learners can practise on desktop, tablet, mobile or headset. Managers assign learning paths, run skills assessments, track progress and use analytics and a reporting API. Certification prep covers NATE, EPA 608 and OSHA 10 and 30. In October 2026 the company added Skill Verification, simulation-based assessments that give step-level evidence of how a worker performs a task before dispatch or promotion.

• 3D and VR simulations: learners troubleshoot and repair virtual equipment on any device or headset.
• Expert video courses: more than 500 hours of content from trade experts that mimic one-to-one mentorship.
• Learning paths: 94 customisable paths for HVAC, plumbing, electrical, maintenance, solar and safety roles.
• Skills assessments and Skill Verification: simulation-based tests give step-level evidence of competence.
• Management command centre: managers assign courses, set due dates, track compliance and view advanced dashboards.
• Certification prep and integrations: NATE, EPA 608 and OSHA packages, SSO and a reporting API.

• Facility management and M&E contractors in Vietnam training HVAC and electrical technicians with simulations before site work.
• Data-centre operators verifying technician skills before granting access to critical equipment.
• Hotel chains and property managers standardising maintenance training for engineering staff across properties.

• Faster ramp-up: 89% of surveyed customers say Interplay let them train technicians faster than before.
• Better retention: 70% agree the platform increased employee retention.
• Business impact: 92% report growing their business or eliminating costs, and Sonesta Hotels doubled training adoption within six months.
• Safe, equipment-free practice: troubleshooting on simulated systems avoids damage to real equipment and reduces risk.

Data-centre construction, electrification and ageing building stock are increasing demand for HVAC, electrical and maintenance technicians faster than traditional apprenticeships can supply them. Employers are turning to simulation-based training and objective skill verification to shorten time-to-competence. In Vietnam, rapid growth of industrial parks, data centres and commercial buildings creates similar needs for M&E and facility maintenance technicians.

Austin, Texas based since 2016; CEO and founder Doug Donovan. Raised USD 18 million in a Series B in 2021. Serves the United States and South Africa; more than 500,000 workers trained and 1,800+ companies. NATE Training Academy partner. Leads the America's Mission Critical Workforce initiative launched in September 2026.