In 2017, Peter Chronopoulos and Michael Morgan joined forces to launch Really-Virtual Corp., driven by a vision to revolutionize the onboarding, training, and retention of the blue-collar workforce. Having previously collaborated at a leading telecom company, they decided to take a bold step and start their own venture. They focused on forklift operations after observing the alarming statistics: over 35,000 forklift injuries and more than 100 fatalities each year. They recognized that forklift training methods were outdated, relying on obsolete videos and PowerPoint presentations for a high-risk job. Things needed to change and fast!
With Michael's expertise in software and technical design and Peter's knack for sales and business development, they set out to disrupt the industry. Before their product was even fully developed, they partnered with their first customer and created the REAL-Forklift® virtual reality simulator. Holman Logistics, a prominent 3PL based in Washington State, made an initial investment to develop a portable desktop simulator. Within four months, they had the MVP( minimum viable product) ready for shipping and testing. After a few refinements, they launched their product within six months of starting the business. Their initial success with clients like G.E. Appliances and Tesla earned them the nickname "Fantastic Four."
After these many successes with enterprise companies, conversations with many of their decision makers revealed a pressing issue: the challenge of finding, hiring, and retaining qualified forklift drivers. With unemployment rates at historic lows, companies struggled to quickly train and employ drivers. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted a shift in focus towards the education sector, particularly CTE(career and technical education). The team identified high schools and colleges offering trade programs to be ideal institutions to train the next generation and provide local industries with a fresh labor pool.
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In 2022, Really-Virtual relocated from Southern California to Savannah, Georgia, and rebranded as BluWorkz to shake up how CTE is done. Their first partners, Savannah Technical College and TCSG(The Technical College System of Georgia) signed on after hearing their mission. That mission: To bridge the gap between potential and opportunity for blue-collar and skilled trade workers. With the booming growth in the Savannah market, and it being a major port city, the partnership between BluWorkz and TCSG has blossomed ever since. Together they have trained hundreds of forklift operators across the state opening paths to financial freedom the new trainees. Their biggest venture in 2023, was working with TCSG dedicated job training and onboarding arm, Quickstart. Together they designed and delivered a program, for forklift operators, for the brand new HMGMA(Hyundai Motor group Metaplant America) streamlining the critical hiring process and solving one of the plants biggest human resource challenges.
