Cat® Simulators Help Meet Canada’s Demand for Operators
As industries face increasing demand for skilled heavy equipment operators, Finning Canada is helping its customers integrate Cat® Simulators systems into their training programs to meet this need. The simulators replicate real-world machines with precision, allowing trainees to practice maneuvering, develop muscle memory and learn equipment controls without the risks of using actual equipment.
Geoff Schneider, Product Manager at Finning Canada, explained the shift toward simulation reflects broader changes in the industry. “The industry is changing, and we’re getting a lot of new operators who are very comfortable with technology. So, the simulators allow new operators to enter the industry. They give operators a place to get comfortable with the equipment before they get their hands on the real equipment.”
Flexible Deployment and Technical Support
Finning Canada’s support extends well beyond supplying the simulators themselves. The company provides the expertise and infrastructure to help customers seamlessly integrate the technology into their training programs.
Schneider explained that Finning’s goal is to ensure customers get full value from their investment. “We want to help our customers succeed. So rather than a transactional, hands-off approach to delivering a piece of equipment, we want to make sure our customers get the most value out of it. The simulators allow us to train the operators and show technology on equipment and basically give them a platform to get the most productivity from the equipment.”
He added that Finning supports both permanent and mobile training setups. “We have a technology team that assists with setting up the Cat Simulators. We offer a portable solution where we partner with a trailer provider and install a simulator in the trailer. This gives customers the ability to move it from site to site if they operate in multiple locations.”
Over the past two years, Finning has assisted various customers in integrating Cat Simulators systems into their training programs. These customers include Keyano College and the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 955 (IUOE 955).
Keyano College’s Heavy Equipment Operator Training Program
Keyano College in Fort McMurray has developed one of the most comprehensive Heavy Equipment Operator Training programs in northern Alberta. The 8-week program blends classroom instruction with practical, hands-on training using five Cat Simulators—Articulated Truck, Motor Grader, Wheel Loader, Dozer and Excavator—to safely and effectively prepare students to operate the college’s fleet of equipment.
To support the simulator training, the college integrated each simulator’s corresponding computer-based SimScholars® curriculum into the program.
According to Michel Theriault, Heavy Equipment Operator instructor at Keyano College, this combination is intentional. “SimScholars gets students familiar with components, operating instructions, and so on. Then the simulator gets them hands-on training, without putting them in harm’s way,” said Theriault. “It’s pretty hard to roll a rock truck and get hurt on a simulator.”
Theriault explained the program’s process, where each student first takes a pre-test in SimScholars to assess their knowledge. They then work through a series of exercises in the curriculum, each ending with a quiz. After completing all the exercises, students take a post-test. Once they pass, they move on to the next stage: simulator training.
During the first couple weeks of the program, students alternate between learning about machines and techniques with SimScholars, practicing real-world skills on Cat Simulators. The remainder of the course, they apply their newly learned skills and techniques on the college’s equipment in a 40-acre field.
“They may spend part of the day on SimScholars and then transition to the simulators, or vice versa, depending on their progress, equipment availability and even weather conditions,” said Theriault, adding that the flexible, blended approach ensures students develop both theoretical understanding and hands-on proficiency.
He continued, “After they’ve learned the walkaround [inspection], controls familiarization, and exercises in SimScholars and on the simulators, we take them outside and show them how to do the walkaround on the specific piece of equipment that they’re working on. Then we set them free in the yard and have them do real jobsite tasks on our equipment.”
By combining structured coursework with realistic simulator training and practical, hands-on equipment instruction, Keyano College has trained more than 60 graduates to date with the job-ready skills needed to enter the region’s construction and mining industries.
Simulation Driven Skill Assessment and Training Solutions
While Keyano College focuses on preparing new operators, IUOE 955 is using Cat Simulators to support both new and experienced members. Known for its rigorous apprenticeship and certification programs, IUOE 955 adopted simulation training to deliver consistent, measurable training outcomes and to expand opportunities for members to practice machine skills in a controlled environment.
Chris Flett, Business Manager for IUOE 955, explained that their goals go beyond basic instruction. According to Flett, the union is focused on delivering foundational competency training and mine-specific skills development. Another goal is to assess individuals who claim to have experience but do not yet have an established track record with the organization.
Flett explained that the simulators give them a practical way to validate those skills. “This is an opportunity to put them on a machine and say, ‘Show us what you’ve got. Prove it to us. You need to demonstrate the basic mining competencies.’” He added that evaluating candidates on the simulators gives the union greater confidence when assigning someone to a role, as it helps confirm that the individual truly has the abilities they claim.
To support this work, IUOE has expanded its simulator fleet. “We have three Mining Truck Cat Simulators, two in Fort McMurray and one in Edmonton at our training center. We just recently added a SimLite Compact Track Loader to our fleet, which we can take to trade shows,” said Flett.
He explained that the Compact Track Loader SimLite system has quickly become one of their most effective recruitment tools. Its compact size makes it easy to transport to job fairs and schools, giving people a safe first exposure to equipment.
“Having the actual controls is incredibly helpful. It’s a realistic version of what they’re going to see when they get in the seat of a real machine,” said Flett, noting that at this time, the SimLite is used less for structured training and more to introduce newcomers to the union and the types of roles IUOE members perform.
Supporting the Next Generation of Operators
The demand for skilled heavy equipment operators continues to rise across Canada, and more organizations are investing in Cat Simulators to improve safety, reduce operational costs, and boost return on investment. Cat Simulators provide a realistic, controlled environment where students can build essential operating skills before operating actual machinery, helping organizations strengthen training quality and better prepare operators for real-world scenarios.
As industries increasingly rely on data-driven training to demonstrate ROI, Finning Canada’s focus on simulation technology is preparing its customers for long-term success. Supported by forward-thinking organizations like Finning Canada, Cat Simulators are becoming a key part of smart organizations’ operator training programs nationwide, contributing to a safer, more prepared and highly skilled workforce.
