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Beyond 100 Voices Podcast: Strengthening the VR Workforce

In a recent Beyond 100 Voices episode of the VR Workforce Studio podcast, Beth Gaertner shared how StaffUp ASAP is helping to recruit, train, and retain the next generation of VR professionals.

For Beth and her team, the new federal grant represents years of preparation, collaboration, and commitment to the field of vocational rehabilitation. The project’s strength lies in collaboration—between SVRI, UW Wisconsin IPARRT, CSAVR, and Employment Resources, Inc. (ERI), along with the shared commitment of VR professionals nationwide.

As Rick Sizemore, host of the VR Workforce Studio podcast, put it: “You’re not just educating—you’re shaping the next generation of VR leaders.”
Listen to the full Beyond 100 Voices interview on the VR Workforce Studio Podcast.

In a recent Beyond 100 Voices episode of the VR Workforce Studio podcast, Beth Gaertner shared how StaffUp ASAP is helping to recruit, train, and retain the next generation of VR professionals.

For Beth and her team, the new federal grant represents years of preparation, collaboration, and commitment to the field of vocational rehabilitation.

“State agencies are asked to do so much, and recruitment and retention have been real challenges,” Beth said. “We’re not replacing existing training—we’re filling the gaps and helping agencies meet their needs.”

Meeting Agencies Where They Are

StaffUp ASAP began with a nationwide needs assessment that reached every state VR agency—general, blind, and combined—and even several territories.
“We asked what content, training, and staff development agencies needed,” Beth said. “The response was tremendous.”
Agencies consistently identified recruitment and retention as top priorities. In response, StaffUp is developing flexible, accessible training and micro-credentials—short, focused learning experiences that recognize specific skills and build toward larger goals. These stackable credentials help strengthen the workforce, support professionals from diverse backgrounds, and build long-term capacity.
“We’re staying closely connected to what agencies tell us they need,” Beth explained. “Our goal is to meet them where they are and help them strengthen their teams.”

Opening Doors to a Diverse VR Workforce

The traditional path into vocational rehabilitation—bachelor’s to master’s to state agency—has evolved. Many new professionals now come from social work, education, nursing, and other disciplines.
“That’s wonderful because it brings in new perspectives,” Beth said. “But it also means people may not have the same background in vocational rehabilitation that used to come with a CRC or master’s degree.”
StaffUp ASAP bridges that gap, welcoming professionals from other fields and providing an immersive introduction to VR—what makes it unique, effective, and deeply meaningful.

Training Designed By and For the Field

From the start, StaffUp ASAP has been shaped by feedback from the field. A national advisory council—with representatives from different regions, agency sizes, and program types—keeps the project grounded in real-world needs.
“We’re not just creating training that we think is important,” Beth said. “We’re asking state agencies, ‘What do you need? What works best for your staff?’ Then we adapt, update, and improve continuously based on their feedback.”
Two dedicated team members, Eric Roux and Shayna Remund, bring this approach to life through engaging, high-quality training grounded in real-world VR experience.

Eric Roux, StaffUp ASAP Outreach and Training Manager
“It’s an opportunity to open doors for people who never had access to this profession before—from underrepresented communities to long-time staff ready to move forward in their careers.”

Shayna Remund, StaffUp ASAP Outreach and Training Manager
“We’re focusing on what VR professionals really need to know—and delivering it in a flexible, practical format that fits into busy schedules.”

Creating Pathways and Opportunities

StaffUp ASAP isn’t just about training new professionals. It’s about building sustainable career pathways. The program supports people already working in VR, those exploring career advancement, and individuals with disabilities interested in joining the profession.
“We want counselors to see this as an opportunity for their clients, too,” Beth said. “If someone on their caseload is interested in becoming a VR professional, this could be their first step.”