As I look ahead toward the future of skilled trades education in North America, I choose to be optimistic about where Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) could be, and may need to be, by 2030. Considering the rapid pace of technological developments in education over the past few years, as well as the large and continuously expanding workforce imbalance in the skilled trades careers, we are currently facing, and will continue to face, a worsening gap – one that leaves us without enough certified workers or educators to teach them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I find it encouraging and plausible that emerging technologies like Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) could in the next 6 years transform how apprentices complete their certification and work in the future. The traditional model of institutional classroom theory, practical lab activities, and experiential job-site learning could shift to real-time AI and MR-adapted environments that offer timely skills acquisition and job-site task completion. AI, AR, and MR could turn job sites into dynamic learning environments where apprentices receive real-time theory, guidance and diagnostics from both AI chatbots and remote human mentors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Readings from Bozkurt et al. (2023) highlight the power of AI in transforming education, with AI taking on roles that once belonged to human educators. Similarly, Veletsianos et al. (2024) discuss the need for technology-infused futures that are not only efficient but also hopeful and justice-oriented. This blending of human and machine strengths is why I choose to be optimistic about the future of skilled trade education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
References<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Bozkurt, A., Xiao, J., Lambert, S., Pazurek, A., Crompton, H., Koseoglu, S., Farrow, R., Bond, M., Nerantzi, C., Honeychurch, S., Bali, M., Dron, J., Mir, K., Stewart, B., Costello, E., Mason, J., Stracke, C. M., Romero-Hall, E., Koutropoulos, A., \u2026 Jandri\u0107, P. (2023). Speculative Futures on ChatGPT and Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Collective Reflection from the Educational Landscape. Asian Journal of Distance Education<\/em>, 18<\/em>(1), Article 1. https:\/\/www.asianjde.com\/ojs\/index.php\/AsianJDE\/article\/view\/709<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Fischer, D. (2024). Digital artwork creation. Female mechanic using AR glasses with MR overlays on a haul truck engine [image]. DALL-E.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Veletsianos, G., Houlden, S., Ross, J., Alhadad, S., & Dickson-Deane, C. (2024). Higher education futures at the intersection of justice, hope, and educational technology. International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education<\/em>, 21<\/em>. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s41239-024-00475-0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As I look ahead toward the future of skilled trades education in North America, I choose to be optimistic about where Technical and Vocational Education and…<\/p>\n