🥽 RIVET Workshop Brings Virtual Reality Career Exploration to Sparta

Motlow State’s Sparta campus is hosting a free, hands-on career exploration event this November that combines virtual reality technology with real-world job skills training. The two-day workshop reflects a growing regional focus on connecting workers with emerging career pathways through innovative education models.

📍 What’s Happening & When

The RIVET Workshop-Rural Investment in Virtual Reality Education & Training-takes place November 4-5, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Motlow State’s Sparta site, located at 603 Roosevelt Drive. 🎯 The event is free and operates on a drop-in basis, so attendees can participate at their own pace without advance registration required.

⭐ What to Expect

Participants will engage in individual presentations lasting 4-8 minutes each, designed to help them explore career interests and practice real-world job skills. The workshop emphasizes hands-on learning, virtual reality immersion, and direct connections with local resources and employers. 💼 The format allows visitors to sample multiple career pathways and see how emerging technologies are reshaping workforce training across rural Tennessee.

🤝 Funding & Community Impact

The project is funded through a grant contract with the Tennessee Department of Human Services as part of the Empower UC initiative. 🏛️ The program is designed to study how pilot career-exploration services help participants improve their economic well-being. New eligible applicants may be randomly selected into different program groups to evaluate which service combinations work best for rural communities.

💡 How to Learn More

A QR code on the event poster links to additional information. Residents interested in career exploration, workforce development, or virtual reality training applications are encouraged to stop by during either day of the workshop. 📱