In a modern training centre in Paraparaumu, a trainee carefully maneuvers the controls of an excavator, precisely building a stockpile of large rocks. Nearby, another trainee navigates an articulated dump truck through the same worksite, maintaining a safe working distance.

While the heavy machines rumble, vibrate and sound off beneath the young trainees’ hands, these aren’t actual excavators or trucks. Instead they’re state-of-the-art Tenstar simulators, repre0senting the cutting edge of civil construction training.

Mills Albert Pathways Megan Younger, says the simulators offer a fun yet authentic learning experience, allowing a pilot group of four trainees on a unique programme to develop concrete civil-trade skills and confidence in a safe learning environment. “Our trainees love it – there’s a gamification element involved as they work through building their skills. Speaking to some of our experienced machine operators they say the simulators are about 75 to 80 percent close to real life.”

The pioneering programme, launched in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and the Kapiti Coast District Council, provides young people on Jobseeker Support with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in the civil construction sector.

Megan says an exciting aspect of the simulators is their ability to share a working environment so trainees can work together on tasks. “Our two simulators can interact with each other on the same simulated worksite; one trainee can be operating an excavator and another could be operating another vehicle within the same environment, encouraging spatial awareness and working together.”

The simulator training progresses through different levels where trainees must master fundamental skills before advancing, she says. “You have to work through stages where you’re only allowed to make a certain number of errors before you can progress.”

The benefits of simulator-based training extend far beyond the engaging learning experience. Safety is paramount in civil construction and the simulators dramatically reduce risks associated with putting inexperienced operators on actual heavy machinery. “Building that confidence on a simulator and understanding the tools and functions without risk to people or machinery, or the environment, means by the time trainees actually get into a machine they have a feeling for what they’re trying to achieve.”

Megan says the simulators are also a valuable tool to bridge the confidence gap that can prevent newcomers from entering the industry in the first place. “One thing that we found when we were interviewing some of the young people coming through was that they really lacked confidence.”

The simulators allow trainees to become familiar with complicated machinery controls without the pressure and intimidation factor of sitting in an actual excavator or dump truck, she says. “It can be really daunting if you get into this huge piece of machinery and you don’t know what everything does and you’re scared that something’s going to go wrong. With the simulators the risk is low, so trainees can build confidence a bit quicker and when they get into an actual machine, they’re like: ‘I know what these things do.’”

Over the initial six-week Mills Albert Pathways Programme, the pilot group of trainees have used the simulators to master the basics of operating excavators and articulated dump trucks, developing their teamwork skills along the way.

Megan says trainees emerge from the programme with all the skills they would need to be successful in an entry-level civil construction role. “We’re taking these young people from the Jobseeker benefit and supporting them in confidence, habit building, well-being and a lot of soft skills in addition to the practical skills.”

Megan adds for school leavers and those considering a career change, this blend of cutting-edge technology and comprehensive skill development in the programme offers an exciting gateway into a vital industry. “We just hope to keep improving each time and do the best by these young people. Our aim is to provide the wider civil industry with skilled people who are confident and we’re trying to be innovative to set trainees up for success.”

Contact Mills Albert to find out more about their Pathways Programme

Talk to the Global Survey Team for more info on Tenstar Simulators: 0800 453 422 or info@globalsurvey.co.nz

This article first appeared in Contractor Magazine – May 2025