BC and The Wonderful Company Collaboration Receives Golden (VR) Goggles Award

A unique educational collaboration between Bakersfield College and The Wonderful Company was the recent recipient of the 2024 Golden (VR) Goggles Award, an award that recognizes innovative and transformative uses of VR training in the logistics industry. Through the collaboration, a program was developed that features forklift training simulators that utilize virtual reality software to teach proper operation and safety techniques.

The nomination was announced by Forklift Simulator, a leader in the simulation industry and creator of the machines used in the program. “(Bakersfield College and The Wonderful Company’s) vision for the future of training and workforce development is inspiring,” they said in a press release regarding the nomination, “and their active collaboration between education and industry is a model to be replicated.”

The forklift simulators are housed at the Wonderful Career Center, a training facility which offers various programs and courses in logistics-related fields for Kern County residents. The simulators offer a safer training experience for students and instructors, while also providing a focused, hands-on educational experience. Although the program is new, the early feedback has been positive from students, instructors, and employers who have hired graduates from the program.

To date, more than 30 people have completed the program, and each received a certificate of completion from Bakersfield College. Congratulations to BC and The Wonderful Company for receiving this recognition. We look forward to continued success for the program and its participants.