Immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are transforming how people work, socialize, play, and learn. More and more, schools and educators are recognizing the power of these tools to reimagine learning and inspire students to be creators – not just consumers – in the metaverse.

The market for extended reality (XR) is expanding, as is the demand for talent to create these immersive digital experiences. According to Burning Glass, AR jobs are projected to grow 172% and VR jobs are projected to grow 170% globally in the next 10 years. As the XR job market broadens, schools find themselves in the position of needing to prepare the future workforce. Even though many schools have rapidly adopted XR technology, enabling their students to create and learn in new ways, equity gaps are growing, too. Most schools, especially those serving underrepresented and low-income communities, still experience barriers to accessing the promise of XR, with cost and readiness being the most prevalent factors. To address this, Unity Social Impact and Meta Immersive Learning have partnered to increase access to AR/VR hardware, high-quality educational content, and resources to prepare educators to teach. 

We are excited to partner with Meta Immersive Learning on our shared goals to propel immersive learning and diversify the XR creator workforce. The Create with VR Grant and Higher Ed XR Innovation Grant – two core components of the partnership – will increase access to hardware and software, provide training and preparation for educators, and support educational institutions in creating immersive learning experiences.

“At Unity, we believe the world is a better place with more creators in it. This partnership brings that belief to life by ensuring education is accessible to all, regardless of zip code. Every student should have the opportunity to achieve their full potential,” says Jessica Lindl, vice president of social impact at Unity. “As we all know, there has been a major shift not only in the global labor market but also in how we work. Therefore, it’s more important than ever to connect young people with the skills needed for future jobs, as these help chart a clear path from learning to earning opportunities.”

John Cantarella, vice president of community and impact partnerships at Meta, says, “As part of our commitment to support the next generation of creators through the Meta Immersive Learning initiative, we’re excited to partner with Unity, a trusted and innovative name in the XR industry. Together, we can empower aspiring creators to learn and grow in the metaverse – removing barriers to immersive technologies and unlocking new opportunities.”