Anderson County students learning real-life skills through a virtual reality simulator

The school received a Cat® Simulators dozer simulator earlier this year. The simulator allows students to learn how to drive and operate the dozer without the potential danger. 

Many construction companies are even using these simulators to train people on the job.

“It’s cheaper to train because you’re not running diesel fuel, it’s cheaper to train because you’re not worried about health insurance, because they’re not on live equipment. So, they’re getting hours, hundreds of hours, before they actually get on live equipment,” said Wade. 

The simulator works like a fully operating dozer would; students put on the virtual reality headset and use the joysticks on the chair to move around. There are also foot pedals to drive the dozer.

“They’re far ahead of the game as opposed to somebody just getting onto a piece of equipment for the first time. It really is just bridging that gap between education and employment,” said Wade.

The students are also excited about the simulator, but the school said the class is already filled up for next school year.

Some students are cashing in on the learning opportunities and are already getting jobs.

“When I was in 8th grade, I had no idea what I was going to do in life, and I kind of grew up around construction. I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but I never knew that taking this construction class would get me to where I am today,” said Hayden Gray, a senior at ACCTC.

The class also teaches students how to build things like sheds, planter boxes and shelving. They also have another simulation to teach students how to weld.

All of it is to get students prepared for the job world.