Background
Ingram Marine Group, the leading carrier on America's inland waterways, launched a VR-powered recruiting programme in early 2026 to attract students and job seekers to maritime careers. The initiative was prompted by a recommendation from the director of The Innovation Hub in Paducah -- a regional resource focused on developing high school student talent through immersive career experiences -- who pointed Ingram's workforce planning manager, Christa White, toward a Kentucky career grant. This led Ingram to Be More Colorful and its Career ViewXR platform.
The Deployment
Career ViewXR is a web-based career exploration platform built around 360-degree video tours and companion VR videos. Ingram purchased a subscription to deploy the tool at school recruiting fairs and during the broader recruitment process for deckhand and other marine roles. No VR headset is required -- content is equally accessible on laptops, phones, and tablets -- but Ingram brings headsets to in-person events for a more immersive experience.
On April 30, 2026, Ingram demonstrated the technology at a lunch-and-learn for the Western Kentucky chapter of Women in Maritime Operations (WIMOs) at its Paducah facility. Attendees could view the platform firsthand and explore how it could support outreach and recruiting across the industry.
Platform
Career ViewXR is developed by Be More Colorful, a North Dakota-based VR agency founded in 2016. The platform uses 360-degree video, 360-degree photography, and interactive hotspots to place viewers inside real workplaces. The library contained more than 100 career video experiences as of April 2026, spanning skilled trades, healthcare, energy, and the marine industry. A public web-based version of Ingram's deckhand experience is accessible at explore.careerviewxr.com.
Outcomes
Christa White, quoted below, reported strong early feedback from both students and teachers who were previously unfamiliar with what working in the marine industry involves. The deployment positions Ingram as a production partner on the platform, giving the company a named presence in a library accessed by 650 subscribed schools across 27 states.
