Umbrella looks to the future of hospitality training with investment in Metaverse Learning

Umbrella Training, a nationwide training and apprenticeship provider for hospitality and corporate sectors, has announced a significant investment in Metaverse Learning – a company that specialises in delivering virtual and Web3 based educational programmes.  The company, based in London and Milton Keynes, offers cutting edge game-and technology-based learning products across the UK.

The move forms part of Umbrella’s strategy to invest in the future of learning. Umbrella has already invested in the development of virtual reality educational games which will be showcased at Skills London later this year.

Metaverse Learning enables businesses to offer tailored virtual, augmented reality and virtual environment programmes to young people across a multitude of sectors.

A recent report from PwC found that a staggering 91 per cent of learners preferred Virtual Reality training over classroom environments, and learner confidence increased by 80 per cent when learning through VR.

The report also highlighted the speed at which educational programmes can be delivered through VR – stating that courses can be completed at four times the rate of normal schedules.

Metaverse Learning, formed 18 months ago, enables learning providers, colleges and employers to offer tailored virtual, augmented reality and virtual environment programmes to people of all ages across a multitude of sectors.

The award-winning team behind the business have, over the last 30 years, created interactive and virtual learning solutions, and been influential in the development of the UK’s education sector – supporting the HR departments of global organisations such as the Army, Navy, Cadent Gas and British Airways.

As part of the deal, Umbrella will also be helping to shape future learning programmes and will be looking to work with the wider industry through bespoke consortia and collaborative groups.

Commenting on the investment, Adele Oxberry, founder and CEO of Umbrella Training, said: “Investing in Metaverse Learning is a significant step for us and marks the beginning of what we believe will be a vastly changing landscape in learning.   

“We have spent a lot of time working through our own gamification strategies to help attract and engage young people in our learning programmes, and believe this is that natural next step on our journey.  We see so many synergies with the team at Metaverse Learning, who are all equally as passionate as us in looking to develop new ways of supporting young people in their career and personal development.”  

Jason Holt, founder, Metaverse Learning, added: “I’m delighted Umbrella are investing. Collectively we see huge potential in this space. Our values of social impact and use of innovation to scale skills adoption are aligned. 

“We have lots of exciting plans to work with Umbrella and other partners in hospitality to develop careers and address the recurrent skills gaps.”