Abigroup opens multipurpose construction training facility

State-of-the-art construction machinery simulators are being used at Abigroup’s new Yatala Operations and Training Facility on the Gold Coast to replicate the operation of scrapers, excavators, graders and off-highway heavy trucks. The simulators are designed to improve the skills of construction industry workers in a safe environment.

“This facility and new training technology represents the innovation and expertise that is behind Queensland’s growing economy,” said the Queensland Premier, the Honourable Anna Bligh, as she officially opened the facility on 4 March. “Abigroup’s investment in Queensland will help new and existing construction workers take on new opportunities, work with new technologies and adapt to changing job needs.”

The facility will help address the problem of skills shortages in the construction industry and will train over 1000 workers per year. Emphasis will be placed on safely upskilling and retraining existing operators.

The scraper simulators are the first of their type in the world and have been tailored by Caterpillar to suit Abigroup’s specific requirements.

The simulators will be transported to major Abigroup construction sites enabling project-specific training and upskilling.

Abigroup’s Queensland General Manager, Steve Abson, said: “The use of mobile simulators allows us to source operators from the local communities in which we work and for them to familiarise themselves with the operation of expensive machinery in a risk-free environment on their own construction sites.

“This technology provides new construction entrants with a ‘safe way to fail’ and accelerates operator knowledge of plant performance. We can foresee many applications for this type of technology in the future as it provides a terrific interactive training experience as well as demonstrating Abigroup’s commitment to the safety of our workers.”