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SEARCHPacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) will continue to use 'game-like' simulators — similar to the military — after introducing it last summer citing that it's saving the company 'tens of thousands of dollars.'
Photo by David Kligman.
PG&E instructor Jerry Hall demonstrates a video game-like simulator that teaches employees how to safely operate large digging machinery.
Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) launched simulators for heavy-equipment operator training last summer, and recently announced on its company blog that it will continue to invest in this type of virtual, but hands-on instruction.
The technology is comparable to that used by the U.S. military and can have large acquisition costs; however, PG&E cited that because of savings in fuel costs and avoiding rental costs for the equipment, it's "enough to pay for the simulators."
PG&E expects to train 120 employees in 2014 using the simulators, citing the far safer conditions than learning how to operate these heavy-duty vehicles, including backhoes and excavators, in the field. If a trainee gets into an accident, for example, the simulator's software will stop and provide a detailed report as to what happened.
On the long term, PG&E said it would like to take the simulators to other locations so more employees can benefit from the training.
You can watch a video on the company blog PG&E Currents, here.
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