Have you heard about the latest trend sweeping the material handling industry? Forklift simulation is no longer an idea from a science fiction movie – now it’s live and realer than ever. Are you interested in forklift simulators but unsure if it is right for you? There are many benefits to forklift simulation training. The list of positives it brings range and vary, but nevertheless it has been proven to be an effective learning tool and an asset to daily business operations. Whether it be mitigating risk, increasing employee engagement, and enhanced efficiency forklift simulation offers tremendous upside to any organization that implements it. Here is how forklift simulation can help you:

1) Less Risk In Early Training – Forklift simulators are a great way to get any novice’s feet wet before doing the real thing. Furthermore, forklift simulations allow muscle memory to develop and be built prior to training on a real machine. As an innovation of the modern age, operators can be even more confident before getting behind the wheel even in a training scenario. As a result of this, less mistakes will be made early on and there is less risk to your organization when undergoing the growing pains that sometimes accompany training new forklift operators.

2) Increases Trainee Engagement – Forklift simulation is a full-sensory experience and is not a simple bland paper-based instructional course that can sometimes be boring. Trainees are engaged and allowed to experience forklift operations in a more hands-on environment with more safety endorsed. Previous to forklift simulations, trainees had to review instructional manuals and then attempt to translate the skills to a live operation. Now, trainees are no longer being lectured to but instead being immersed in the world of material handling in a virtual reality. Whilst there is no true substitute for practical experience, forklift simulators are a great way to iron out some issues early on so employees can hit the ground running. According to Forester, simulated training is a tool to help people develop their skills in a safe environment that can be repeated over and over again, so they can be safer, more productive operators when they graduate to utilizing actual forklifts.

3) Faster Option Long-Term – Forklift simulators expedite the training process and accelerate the learning curve. Once muscle memory is built from regular training, the transition to a real machine will be a lot smoother and seamless. As a result, the amount of time needed to train is drastically driven down. Additionally, these improvements to training regime duration are quite cost-effective. Forklift simulators have been proven to reduce annual training fuel costs by as much as $50,000 thanks to their fast, efficient, and eco-friendly approach to material handling appliance training. Lastly, the beauty of a forklift simulator is that it is a one-size fits-all schematic for prospective operators. You do not have to worry about the state of the forklift when employees complete their training. Simply throw them into a chair and activate the modules.