High school students dig into the world of heavy machinery using simulators

"Thanks, Mr. Baker!" students call out as they leaveaclassroom at James Caldwell School in Grand Falls.

But this isn't a typical math, science or history class, and Mr. Baker isn't a typical core-subject teacher.

Thisclassroom is lined with large computer screens accompanied by steering wheels, clutches and gas pedals.

These students are learning to drive heavy machinery, with Mr. Baker at the helm.

Roland Baker, who grew up on a farm in Perth-Andover in northwestern New Brunswick, hasworked a variety of jobs over the years, including operating heavy machinery.Four years ago, he started teaching.

And this year, he became aninstructor for a course that uses simulators to teach students the basics of operating a skid steer, a wheel loader and a backhoe.

Baker said the course opens students' eyes to other career options, giving themnew skills and making themexcited to come to school.

WATCH | Students master basic skills of driving, digging:

Students give heavy equipment operation a try

9 months ago

Duration 3:30

High school students across the province are taking a course in heavy machinery operation using a simulator.

"It's incredible, because they come in here with no ability to run heavy equipment at alland maybe even hesitant to try it, and then leave, you know, with all of that confidence, knowing that, 'Hey, somebody wants to hire me.'"

The simulators were placed atWoodstock High School before moving to Southern Victoria Highand then John Caldwell. After this semester, the simulators will travel to Simonds High School in Saint John, where different schools in the area will have access to them.

Along with the 40-hour simulator course, the students will also work on buildingtheirresums, writing cover letters and honing job interview skills.

And once their time on the simulator is done, they'll trade their place in the virtual cab for a spot in a real one.

Baker said the course partnerswith local businesses that will host the students for a field placement where they'll get to operate real heavy machinery.

Kayden Brayall, 17, is looking forward to getting more experience in the real world.

He has operated heavy equipment in the pastand said the simulator stacks up and has prepared him for his field placement.

"Everything's up to par," said Brayall, pointing to the two joysticks and the virtual cab, which he said mimic the real thing.

He said he plans to get his operating licence after school and hopes to enter the field of heavy machinery.

Jazmyn Lachance, another Grade 12 student, has never worked with heavy equipment, but the class has given her a "hands-on experience."

She said she likes the challenge some of the simulations pose andshe's ready for anything her field placement throws at her.

"I'm just kind of ready to learn anything that they give me," she said.

Despite the fun she's having in the class, she doesn't know yet what she plans to do after school. But out of the mechanics, carpentry and heavy machinery classes she's taken so far, mechanics has been most enjoyable for her.

Tom McGinn, executive director of the New Brunswick Road Builders andHeavy Construction Association, said this in itself is a success.

"We're putting, you know, the option in front of the students, which, this time last year, they didn't have," he said.

McGinnsaid high school students are a good target because they are at the age where they're deciding what to do with their lives.

And the project has proved successful so far. He said there were some students who, after their work placements, were hired by the companies for the summer.

The association worked with the province to acquire the simulators and get them in schools. McGinn said the idea formed when he saw that the province had introduced a welding trailer for high schools.

He said it became clear that a lot of heavy machinery operators in the province were getting older, some in their 60s or even 70s, but there wasn't an influx in young people going into the industry to make upfor the retirements.

McGinn said COVID-19 halted the plans temporarily, but eventually 12 simulators were acquired, along with a trailer for schools without the classroom space.

DianaChvez, spokesperson for the Department of Education, said in an email that the project cost more than $400,000 and is funded by the Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association and the Department of Post-Secondary Education.

The simulators are scheduled to tour all four anglophone school districts until January 2026, she said.

Baker said it's great to see students finishing the course with a good idea of what to expect upon stepping onto a job site.

He said having the simulators is a win-win for employers and the students because the students get to build their skills pre-placement, and the employer gets an employee who is engaged and possibly sees a future in that industry.

Baker said he'd like to see more use of technology and simulators like these for other industries, including forestry and agriculture, in New Brunswick classrooms, especially in rural areas.

"Outside of operating machinery, I think there's all kinds of industries that could benefit from this kind of technology, nursing, for example," he said.

"And now that it's available, it would be awesome to see more collaborations, possibly between industry and education, to allow that into the school so students could be exposed to it early on."