The city of Newport News, Va., like many others, experienced trouble hiring new employees post-COVID. So, because of staff shortages, department heads and city officials realized something needed to change. The idea of using a simulator to aid with training came from that realization.

Stormwater Division Operations Superintendent Edmund Wayne Forrest Jr., who goes by his middle name Wayne, explained, “The idea came up in the director’s office as we were thinking about how we can hire and train (employees) and maintain equipment better than we had previously, and a simulator was one option for training equipment operators on different pieces of equipment as well as pre-trip inspections.”

For new hires, he said Newport News is using the simulator as a skills assessment tool. After the questionnaire portion of the interview, the city usually had some type of skills assessment, so now it is using the simulator.

“This allows us to do it in a controlled environment where they can’t damage anything while giving the skills assessor the ability to run the equipment, particularly multiple pieces of equipment,” he said, adding the assessments can occur “rain or shine.”

He said the last time assessors ran the skills assessment tests several months ago, it was raining. Despite that, they could still do it.

The city acquired the Caterpillar Simulator last summer, and Forrest reported it has several attachments, allowing assessors to swap the attachments for four pieces of heavy equipment. Newport News’ simulator has the capability to train people on an excavator, backhoe, bulldozer and front-end loader.

“It’s really versatile,” he said.

In terms of investment, Forrest noted, “The cost was well into the six figures — a couple of hundred thousand dollars.”

The city appreciates that the simulator is made by the same company as the heavy equipment. Forrest said the company was “super supportive, real quick to respond anytime we had issues.”

According to Forrest, Newport News’ former training specialist, himself and his wastewater counterpart all received training from a company representative when they first got the simulator and learned about the SimScholars online course and administrative functions on the simulator.

For new hires, Forrest said, “Normally if they’ve not been on a piece of equipment, we can tell right away once they get on the simulator. Selection is not solely based on that, but it’s taken into consideration. And it depends on what level they’re applying for. If it’s an entry-level position, we’re willing to train, but if it’s for a higher specialty operator (position), we’d expect to see better performance.”

Training seasoned employees

As for how often seasoned employees are training on the simulator, Forrest said they have classes, and he helps facilitate the small wheel load classes on Tuesdays while his wastewater counterpart facilitates the class on the excavator on Thursdays.

They utilize the SimScholars curriculum, and it takes two to three months, meeting once a week, to get through the course on one piece of equipment, including the exam. He said they have eight employees at a time training on the simulator. One from each of the four public works divisions — stormwater, streets, solid waste and water.

Newport News has 265 employees in the public works division: 65 of those in the stormwater division.

According to the World Population Review, Newport News has a projected population of 182,579, down from the 2020 census population of 186,033. It is located in the southeastern peninsula of Virginia, along the shores of the James River and is part of the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News metropolitan area. It is the fifth largest city in Virginia.

The cost of the simulator has been “well worth it.” Forrest said, “Even some of our more seasoned equipment operators are learning more.” He explained it is particularly helpful for pre-trip inspections because it goes through “every little part on the machine.”

It also helps operators take better care of the equipment. “It outlines things that they’re doing wrong that they didn’t think they were doing wrong — things like slamming the bucket down or snapping the bucket closed and highlights that, letting the operators know they’re damaging the equipment so it helps them be more aware of what they’re doing when they’re actually operating the machines.”

He said that part of the simulator training also helps increase productivity as it lessens down time from the equipment going into the shop.

Forrest was asked about a female operator who was quoted in another article stating that as a little girl, she wanted to operate heavy equipment and was asked if she was the only heavy equipment operator. He replied she wasn’t and mentioned another woman in an excavator class. “There are several female operators in solid waste — women play a big role in our public works department,” Forrest said.

Officials support

City officials were supportive “right off the jump.” Forrest said, “Obviously, that kind of price takes the approval of the parties that be. With the staff shortages, they saw the need to invest in training our employees.”

City officials check in with them from time to time. “Our first class graduated a couple of months ago, and they were in attendance to support them.”

When asked if having the simulator has helped recruitment efforts, he responded, “I think having the simulator has helped recruiting efforts — it’s a cool machine. The fact that we have it shows we’re willing to invest in our employees. Overall, it’s improved morale, also.

“For those with some hesitancy to get on a piece of heavy equipment, it gives them confidence before they get on the real thing. It’s made a positive impact on our recruiting.”

If other municipalities are looking to hire, train and better maintain equipment, Forrest said, “It’s well worth the investment. If your goal is to hire and train on multiple pieces of equipment. It’s also a benefit to more seasoned operators, too.

“It’s been really beneficial training new hires who may have some experience but are not as versatile on multiple pieces of equipment,” he said, adding that getting the training “only equips them to promote themselves within public works’ different divisions and gives them more confidence.”

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