Connect with us

Technology

Interplay Learning and DBAKE Foundation Join Forces to Launch Construction Trade Pre-Apprenticeship Programs

Published

on

New program provides earn-while-you-learn trades training for underserved participants.

AUSTIN, Texas, July 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Interplay Learning, the leading provider of immersive skilled trades training, has proudly announced its partnership with the DBAKE Foundation, a St. Louis-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting construction trades education for underserved youth. DBAKE is integrating Interplay Academy job-ready certificate programs into their paid, six-week pre-apprenticeship program to help young people gain job-ready skills and find fulfilling careers in the skilled trades.

Founded in 2022 by general contractor Annamarie Baker, the DBAKE Foundation is on a mission to fulfill the vision of her late son, Damion Baker, by creating awareness around trades careers and providing greater access to leading career training for underrepresented residents of St. Louis.

Commencing in September 2024, DBAKE’s earn-while-you-learn, six-week pre-apprenticeship program will feature Interplay Academy job-ready certificate pathways in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, construction, multi-family maintenance, building maintenance, and appliances. Leveraging immersive 3D simulations, VR, and high-impact video content, the pathways will guide learners from zero trades skills to job-ready. Curated training paths, combined with career support and in-person instruction, will lead participants to safely work towards earning an Interplay Learning Job-Ready Certificate and industry-recognized certifications like OSHA10 and EPA 608.

“As I strive to fulfill my son’s vision and empower underserved youth in our community, DBAKE’s partnership with Interplay Learning marks a pivotal moment in our journey,” said Annamarie Baker, founder, DBAKE Foundation. “With Interplay’s innovative technology, we’re not only modernizing education; we’re increasing access to careers that will unlock so much potential in our community.”

One standout feature of Interplay Learning’s training is its video game-like approach, making learning engaging and enjoyable for participants. This innovative method resonates with today’s tech-savvy youth, facilitating their engagement with the material and comprehension of complex trade skills.

Employ St. Louis will host the inaugural class with R&R Marketplace in Dellwood, a revitalized community hub. A job fair at the end of the program will facilitate direct connections between learners and potential employers, while DBAKE Foundation’s deep industry connections to major employers and union partners will ensure that graduates can transition smoothly into structured registered apprenticeships and employment opportunities.

“At Interplay, our goal has always been to equip individuals with the tools for success in the trades,” said Doug Donovan, CEO and founder, Interplay Learning. “This partnership with the DBAKE Foundation highlights our dedication to making a real impact in communities, bridging gaps, and creating opportunities. Together, we’re forging a future where every aspiring tradesperson can thrive.”

For more information about the DBAKE Foundation and how you can donate, visit https://givebutter.com/2qP1s9 or email abaker@dbake.org

About the DBAKE Foundation
The DBAKE Foundation, established by Annamarie Baker, is a St. Louis-based non-profit organization dedicated to advancing construction trades education for underserved youth while honoring the memory of her late son, Damion Baker. Through high-quality training programs and strategic partnerships, the foundation aims to empower young people to pursue fulfilling careers in the skilled trades, thus fulfilling Damion’s vision and legacy.

About Interplay Learning
Austin-based Interplay Learning is the industry leader in immersive training solutions for the skilled trades. Interplay’s acclaimed SkillMill training platform enables rapid upskilling and empowers new technicians to be job-ready within weeks, not years. Featuring expert-led videos, hands-on 3D simulations, knowledge checks, and personalized learning paths, SkillMill is more scalable and engaging than traditional training. Leveraging advanced technologies like AI and VR, Interplay is reshaping the future of online skilled trades training, delivering highly effective learning experiences that result in better careers and better lives.

Recent accolades include Fast Company’s 2024 Most Innovative Companies in the World, AHR’s 2024 Innovation Award, Forbes’ 2023 America’s Best Startup Employers, 2022 Inc. 5000 list, and 2022 Inc. Best in Business list. Visit www.interplaylearning.com to learn more.

MEDIA CONTACT: 
Heather Ripley
Ripley PR
(865) 977-1973
hripley@ripleypr.com

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/interplay-learning-and-dbake-foundation-join-forces-to-launch-construction-trade-pre-apprenticeship-programs-302192524.html

SOURCE Interplay Learning

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

The New DePin: OKZOO’s Environmental AIoT Machine Network Leads New Tech Trend

Published

on

By

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, April 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The “new DePin” (Decentralized Physical Infrastructure Network) trend is arising, as OKZOO’s AIoT devices see explosive growth and traction.

AIoT is short for AI combined with Internet of Things (AIoT), a new category that bridges physical hardware with decentralized network. OKZOO uses AIoT devices to gather environmental data such as noise pollution, air pollution, CO2 levels, and humidity.

OKZOO has already seen massive adoption with 12 million ecosystem users, primarily through its virtual AI pet apps OKZOO V1 and V2.

How AI Pets and Portal Devices Collect Environmental Data

OKZOO’s development began with an intriguing hypothesis: could engaging pet applications serve as the foundation for sophisticated real-world AIoT networks? The team systematically validated this concept through strategic platform iterations.

Their V1 release, a straightforward pet simulator, attracted 7 million users, demonstrating that emotional connections remain powerful in today’s digital landscape. Following this achievement, V2 introduced AI-powered pets capable of learning and evolution, gaining 700,000 users within its initial month.

This validated market traction led to the creation of the P-mini—a compact AIoT device that integrates digital pets with environmental monitoring technology. The P-mini o1 incorporates both sensor technology and an interactive AI companion that reacts to environmental conditions, enabling digital pets to exist in contexts beyond traditional screens.

Traditional environmental monitoring faces significant challenges: data sparsity, lack of real-time granularity, and verification difficulties. Government sensors provide only generalized data that misses hyperlocal variations in air quality, noise pollution, and other environmental factors that directly impact daily life.

This creates blind spots in urban environments where pollution levels can vary dramatically between neighborhoods or even streets.

The P-mini addresses these gaps by creating a grassroots network of sensors collecting street-level data. What sets OKZOO apart from conventional DePin networks is its innovative approach to user engagement. Rather than relying solely on financial incentives, the P-mini integrates virtual pets that respond to environmental surroundings, transforming data collection into an interactive, emotional experience.

In-House Manufacturing Capabilities

A key competitive advantage for OKZOO lies in its in-house manufacturing capabilities. Unlike many projects that rely on third-party manufacturers, OKZOO controls its hardware production process, ensuring scalability, quality control, and faster iteration based on user feedback. This vertical integration allows for rapid adaptation to market demands and technological advances.

The ecosystem operates on an incentive model that rewards users for running P-mini devices and contributing environmental data. These contributions establish a comprehensive database powering sophisticated AI applications ranging from customized health guidance to urban planning solutions.

As environmental awareness becomes increasingly important, OKZOO positions itself at the intersection of utility and engagement. By making data collection enjoyable through pet companions, the project creates sustainable user participation while addressing real environmental monitoring needs.

For a market seeking practical applications, OKZOO’s unique positioning across AI, environmental monitoring, and hardware manufacturing presents a compelling vision for addressing real-world challenges while creating engaging user experiences.

Website: https://okzoo.app/en
X: https://x.com/okzoo_app

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/the-new-depin-okzoos-environmental-aiot-machine-network-leads-new-tech-trend-302438894.html

SOURCE OKZOO

Continue Reading

Technology

CCTV4: 20th China Film Huabiao Awards

Published

on

By

BEIJING, April 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The latest data from the National Film Administration have revealed that the box office revenue of the mainland Chinese film market has already passed the 25 billion yuan (US$3.4 billion) mark in 2025. This compares to 42.5 billion yuan (US$5.8 billion) for the whole of last year, and shows that Chinese cinema is continuing to dominate the global film market. In 2025, the world is celebrating 130 years of cinema and China is marking the 120th anniversary of its own film industry. On April 27th Qingdao in Shandong Province is hosting the 20th China Film Huabiao Awards ceremony. Hundreds of industry luminaries will gather for the event, the theme of which is “Building Dreams through Film, Embracing the Spirit of the Era”. Together they will honor the collaborative and pioneering spirit of China’s filmmakers and celebrate the outstanding progress made by its film sector. The gala will be broadcast live on the CCTV-6 Movie Channel and the CCTV-4 Chinese International Channel, with simultaneous online coverage on China Media Group’s multi-platform networks, the Movie Channel’s own digital ecosystem, and other online platforms.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cctv4-20th-china-film-huabiao-awards-302438895.html

SOURCE CCTV4

Continue Reading

Technology

Petal Ads Hosts “Think Tank 2025” Seminar in Japan to Empower Japanese Companies’ Global Expansion

Published

on

By

TOKYO, April 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Petal Ads, Huawei’s leading global mobile advertising platform, today successfully hosted the “Think Tank 2025” seminar in Japan. The event convened prominent brands and domestic agencies from the travel, beauty, luxury goods and lifestyle services sectors to showcase Huawei’s all-scenario intelligent advertising solutions built on the HarmonyOS ecosystem, offering Japanese enterprises fresh digital-marketing strategies for entering the Chinese and wider global markets.

As a technology company deeply rooted in Japan for nearly two decades, Huawei leverages its global ecosystem and the innovation of HarmonyOS to continuously empower partners’ digital transformation. “Through in-depth local insights, we have built an intelligent advertising platform that connects global users,” said Zhou Rong, Director of Asia-Pacific Ecosystem Development and Operations at Huawei Consumer Business Group. “Petal Ads’ unique all-scenario solutions not only precisely reach segmented audiences but also help Japanese brands unlock commercial value in cross-cultural communication.”

At the seminar, Yang Yang, Global Marketing Director of Huawei Ads, presented an integrated marketing strategy within the HarmonyOS ecosystem. Syaliza Abd Aziz, Japan representative of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, discussed her organization’s strategic partnership with Petal Ads on Visit Malaysia 2026. Colin Duan, Chief Product Officer of third-party data firm QuestMobile, used detailed analytics to decode Chinese internet users’ consumption patterns in travel, beauty and other industries, providing decision-making insights for Japanese companies’ local-market campaigns. Fukuzumi Ryo, co-founder of leading Japanese ad agency Unbot, shared multiple success stories on site, demonstrating Petal Ads’ technical strengths in precise customer acquisition and performance conversion in Japan.

The upgraded “Think Tank 2025” marks a significant milestone in Petal Ads’ globalization strategy. With three core advantages—intelligent ad technology, a premium global user base and customizable all-scenario solutions—the platform now delivers monetization services to 53,000 apps across more than 200 industries worldwide. Looking ahead, Petal Ads will deepen strategic collaborations with its Japanese partners and continue to foster more high-quality brands’ international growth through an innovative digital-marketing ecosystem.

For more information, please visit: https://ads.huawei.com/

About Petal Ads

Petal Ads is Huawei Terminal Cloud Services’ global commercial-service platform, dedicated to providing advertisers and developers with intelligent marketing and traffic-monetization solutions. As of March 2023, the platform spans over 200 industry verticals and operates in more than 170 countries and regions, continually empowering partners’ commercial growth and brand enhancement via HarmonyOS’s all-scenario intelligent distribution capabilities.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/petal-ads-hosts-think-tank-2025-seminar-in-japan-to-empower-japanese-companies-global-expansion-302438891.html

SOURCE Huawei Mobile Services

Continue Reading

Trending