Simulation training is transforming the lifting industry by helping address critical operator shortages, improving safety, and accelerating skill development. From training centers to global manufacturers, organizations are using lifelike crane simulators to recruit, train, and retain the next generation of equipment operators more effectively.
Every year, Global Lifting Awareness Day (GLAD) highlights the essential role the lifting industry plays. From steel manufacturing plants to bustling ports to busy construction sites, lifting equipment and the professionals who operate it can be found completing vital work. Without these operators, our modern world simply wouldn’t be able to run. So with 86% of construction firms struggling to fill crane operator and heavy equipment roles, the need to recruit, train, and retain the next generation has never been more urgent.
What role does simulation play in all of this? Simulation training benefits crane and lifting equipment operators in a variety of ways. Here, we’ll explore the fundamentals of simulation training, its benefits, and the real-world impact it’s having on recruitment, safety, productivity, and operator training.
When a trainee sits down and powers up a lifting and crane simulator, they’re in fact interacting with an entire training system with many different components. From the simulator itself to the simulation technology that powers it and beyond, there are many different pieces that come together to make modern simulation training what it is today. In this blog post, we break down what each of these components does and how they all work together: Simulation 101: An Introduction to Crane Simulators & Simulation Training.
Why are training centers, private companies, and other industry leaders adding lifting and crane simulators to their training programs? One of the most compelling reasons behind the change is safety. In a virtual setting, operators can make critical errors—like contacting a power line—without real-world consequences. Instead of endangering themselves or others, they gain the chance to learn through trial and error, reinforcing safe practices in a risk-free environment.
That alone makes simulation a smart choice for many organizations. But its value goes well beyond safety. From boosting operator confidence to standardizing training outcomes, the advantages of simulation in crane training are both practical and far-reaching. Read this blog post to learn more: The Top 7 Benefits of Crane Training Simulators.
All over the world, training centers, steel manufacturers, construction companies, ports, and utilities companies are using lifting and crane simulators for operator recruitment, workforce development, and skills assessments. Here are several stories examining what they’ve been able to achieve:
- The National Construction Training Centre in Mount Lucas in Ireland found that corrective training is much easier with simulation. Simulation also allows it to provide a smoother and less intimidating introduction to heavy equipment operation for students, making it easier to recruit and train the next generation.
- Local 14 of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) added a custom crane simulator to its program, elevating safety and making the transition to equipment easier for new operators.
- The Crane Institute of America added simulation to its training to advance its goal of providing the best possible training to students. At the same time, it has been able to reduce costs, improve safety, and train operators faster.
- CICB, one of the oldest and largest crane inspection and training companies in the United States, uses simulation to keep trainees and instructors safe and enhance the quality of its programs.
- Gerdau, a global steel industry leader, found that simulation training reduced its reliance on in-field equipment for training by 40% and increased one-on-one trainer effectiveness by 500%.
“The biggest motivation is that we don’t have enough equipment operators in Ireland. We can’t look to the same workforce as we have in the past. There is a new pool out there that doesn’t come from a construction or agriculture background. If you ask a 17- or 18-year-old to jump on a real machine and drive it, they’ll be terrified. But with a simulator, they know they can’t do any damage or make a show of themselves. Simulators are creating a new pathway to construction.”
Lifting and crane simulation technology has come a long way. Today’s systems deliver lifelike training experiences that not only sharpen skills but also help minimize risk and reduce costs.
But with so many options available, determining which simulation training solution best addresses specific objectives can be difficult. Read this blog post if you want to discover essential tips on how to evaluate and compare different products: Your Crane Simulator Buyer’s Guide.
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