Over two dozen adults and kids showed up to the Capps Center in Indianola last week for a virtual reality demonstration. Above, Kaelyn Donald tests one of the center’s virtual reality devices.
Photo: Jyesha Johnson
A new program at the Mississippi Delta Community College Capps Center could be the birth of Sunflower County’s tech industry.
Last Friday, a demonstration of some of the virtual reality technology that will soon be brought to the Indianola-based workforce deveopment training center was conducted, and by the end of 2018, Sunflower County could be training the world’s next virtual reality developers.
“The Delta has experienced loss of individuals probably over the last five to 10 years. So we don’t want to enhance that.” said Todd Donald, Vice-President of Workforce & Economic Development for MDCC. “This is technology that this area has never seen before. Our intention is that when we develop these individuals we offer them a place of employment right here.”
Trained developers could potentially make between $50,000 to $70,000 a year.
“The possibilities are absolutely endless,” Donald recently told the Indianola Rotary Club, while walking the club through the economic development potential of VR. “The potential is enormous…We’re finally getting a chance to stay with or ahead of technology.”
Donald said one company out west has a job posting this week for a telecommute VR developer position that pays between $75,000 and $80,000.
Vince and Josiah Jordan, founders of Lobaki Inc. in Clarksdale, began working with high school students in their area, with great success, Donald said.
Donald’s vision for Sunflower County is a new crop of virtual reality developers who have the potential to make high salaries and remain in their hometown if they choose.
Donald said developers are currently willing to install twenty stations for training in the Capps Center. The training will last approximately eight months.
“There is a possibility that if somebody is really talented and accelerates at this that they can finish before that,” Donald said. “We will try to put them to work when they finish.”
Donald said that he has already hired an instructor who is currently training to teach the material.
“While they’re in training they will be working on marketable products,” Donald said. “They will be working on applications and experiences that can be sold throughout the world.”
Participants could have many options of employment during and after their training.
For Clarksdale participant Shalin Jewett, the program was a great success.
“Everything was a breeze” said Jewett.
Jewett felt that her favorite experience was helping create a virtual reality program that illustrated Niagara Falls.
If applicants are accepted into the program, the cost is $200. Applications for the training are now being accepted at Mississippi Delta Community College and also online at Capps Center website.
