CTB Opportunity Labs and Virtual Reality

Building Skills. Creating Opportunities. Empowering Futures.

Cardinal’s CTB Opportunity Labs are designed to connect people with job opportunities in our community, including those in manufacturing, hospitality, and healthcare. Through structured curricula, hands-on instruction, and practical experience, participants develop the skills needed to pursue meaningful employment and build successful careers.

Employer engagement is also an essential part of the process. Participants have opportunities to visit local employers, while employers are invited into the training experience to provide guidance, share industry knowledge, and help shape instruction around real-world workforce needs. This early connection between employers and potential employees helps bridge the gap between training and employment.

In addition to training environments such as the Cardinal Café, Cardinal Market, CNA, and Manufacturing Labs, Cardinal has partnered with Transfr to offer immersive virtual reality (VR) job training with more than 300 hands-on training modules across a variety of career fields.

How do simulations help prepare participants for careers in manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality?

I. Manufacturing Skills

Transfr’s virtual reality simulations help prepare participants for careers in manufacturing by developing skills aligned with the needs of local employers.

• Through interactive, hands-on learning experiences, participants strengthen critical thinking, tech skills, attention to detail, and teamwork.
• The training also helps participants explore and obtain relevant certifications in production, installation and repair, electrical work, and machine operation.

II. Healthcare and Science

Healthcare and science simulations introduce participants to career opportunities in health and wellness, including roles in hospitals and nursing homes.

• Participants practice patient care skills, explore healthcare responsibilities, and prepare for relevant industry certifications.
• The simulations support pathways to positions such as Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), Qualified Medication Aides (QMAs), and medical technicians.

III. Hospitality

The hospitality field offers a wide range of jobs, and the simulations can tailor opportunities to match each participant’s skills and interests.

• Participants develop foundational hospitality skills and workplace competencies in areas such as customer service, food preparation, baking, and front-desk operations.
• The experiences help participants strengthen communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and other essential soft skills while building practical knowledge for hospitality settings.
• Participants can also explore relevant certifications and career pathways leading to positions such as line cooks, cashiers, servers, hosts, receptionists, and other hospitality professionals.

Community Partnerships That Make a Difference

Cardinal’s CTB Opportunity Labs and Transfr VR simulations exemplify the vital role that strong community partnerships play in advancing Cardinal’s mission.

By bringing together workforce training, immersive learning experiences, and meaningful employer engagement, we create pathways that empower individuals to build skills, achieve greater independence, strengthen their economic stability, and pursue long-term success.

Through collaboration and a shared commitment to opportunity, Cardinal continues to help individuals prepare for meaningful employment while supporting the workforce needs of our community.

Learn More

For additional information about the CTB Opportunity Labs or Cardinal’s other workforce development initiatives, please contact: tony.peterson@CardinalServices.org

Tony Peterson, BSW Senior Director Office: 574.371.1356