Virtualware is deploying the enterprise XR platform VIROO to prepare hundreds of workers in Windsor-Essex, Ontario, for high-skilled roles in Canada’s rapidly expanding battery manufacturing sector.
The region’s NextStar Energy plant – a $5 billion Stellantis-LG Energy Solutions venture – underlines Windsor-Essex’s growing role in North America’s electric battery supply chain.
The Battery Boost program, led by Invest WindsorEssex (IWE) and delivered with support from NextStar Energy, aims to equip participants for technician positions in battery manufacturing.
Running from February 2025 through March 2026, the program targets laid-off workers and professionals looking to transition into advanced manufacturing.
Battery Boost received $3.8 million in funding from Upskill Canada [Powered by Palette Skills] and the Government of Canada. The program leverages Virtualware’s VIROO to provide scalable, immersive training in battery manufacturing, replacing costly on-site training with risk-free virtual simulations.
“How do we prepare hundreds of new workers for jobs that don’t yet exist in a physical space? That’s where VIROO comes in,” says Ed Dawson, Executive Director, Automobility & Innovation Centre, Invest WindsorEssex.
“By leveraging virtual reality, we’re not just solving today’s training challenges. We’re setting a new standard for the future.
“Our region is leading the way in innovation, and our workforce is ready to meet the demands of tomorrow.”
Dawson’s remarks reflect Windsor-Essex’s broader ambition to become a hub for both battery manufacturing and innovation-driven workforce development.
By integrating immersive learning, the Battery Boost program demonstrates how digital tools can enhance manufacturing readiness and attract investment.
Immersive Training for a New Workforce
As the technology partner, Virtualware powers the program with VIROO, its XR training platform, delivering VR modules in battery cell assembly, safety protocols, quality control, and production line operations—eliminating the need for costly physical mock-ups and reducing training time.
Participants can train in VIROO Rooms—full-scale, collaborative environments that deliver complete immersion—giving teams risk-free, hands-on experience before stepping onto the production floor.
These simulations replicate the workflows and safety standards of a battery plant, preparing trainees for the real factory floor.
VIROO’s collaborative features allow instructors to guide multiple participants simultaneously, enabling interactive learning and immediate feedback.
This approach ensures graduates are ready to contribute to production from day one.
Early outcomes of the program demonstrate strong demand and impact:
- 500+ candidates expressed interest within the first 24 hours of launch, with over 2,500 applications received.
- The Battery Boost Program has exceeded its target of 400 participants scheduled to complete the training across 10+ cohorts.
- 97 percent of graduates have secured positions in the battery manufacturing sector, highlighting alignment with employer needs.
A Broader Ecosystem of Collaboration
The program also supports Canada’s federal strategy to grow domestic EV and battery supply chains, reinforcing the country’s standing as a North American clean-tech leader.
The initiative brings together multiple stakeholders:
- Invest WindsorEssex leads economic development and business attraction in the region.
- NextStar Energy, Canada’s first gigafactory ensures training aligns with production-line requirements.
- Upskill Canada [Powered by Palette Skills] provide funding and strategic oversight to scale the program nationally.
By combining these efforts with Virtualware’s XR expertise, Battery Boost is building Canada’s next-generation battery workforce while strengthening Windsor-Essex’s reputation in advanced manufacturing and clean technology.
A Scalable Model for Workforce Transformation
Battery Boost demonstrates how XR training can solve workforce challenges at scale. The program brings together government agencies, industry leaders, and training providers—with XR VIROO platform as the technological foundation enabling rapid, cost-effective upskilling.
The model is replicable across industries facing similar challenges: aerospace manufacturers ramping up production, energy companies transitioning to renewables, or automotive plants retooling for EVs. VIROO’s adaptability allows organizations to deploy immersive training quickly, without the infrastructure costs of traditional methods.
By partnering with Invest WindsorEssex, NextStar Energy, and national skills development organizations, Virtualware is proving that XR training can deliver measurable workforce outcomes, a blueprint other regions and industries can follow.
Virtualware empowers enterprises to train faster, safer, and at scale through its enterprise XR platform VIROO. This partnership with Invest WindsorEssex and Nextstar Energy strengthens Virtualware’s presence in North America, showcasing VIROO’s impact in high-stakes manufacturing environments. From battery plants to advanced industrial facilities, Virtualware is redefining workforce training for the modern economy.
Other clients include GE Vernova, Gestamp, ADIF, the Spanish Ministry of Defense, Invest WindsorEssex, Canadian Association of Moldmakers (CAMM), MAGNA, McMaster University, EAN University, and the Basque Government.
