The CPA鈥檚 new simulator, supplied by Tenstar Simulation, allows users to experience 鈥� with a reasonable degree of verisimilitude 鈥� what it is like to drive a digger, a dumper truck, telehandler or tower crane.
It has three LED screens that provide real-time simulation and can be used with a virtual reality headset to produce a 360-degree view.
The simulator is housed in a bespoke CPA-branded trailer manufactured by Ifor Williams Trailers, allowing it to be transported around the country. The CPA plans to take it to schools, colleges and careers events nationwide to raise awareness about plant operating and encourage young people to consider construction plant as a future career path.
CPA chief executive Steve Mulholland said: 鈥淥ur industry offers jobs for life and it鈥檚 really important that we highlight these opportunities to young people before they leave school or college. Unless they have a family connection to the industry, many young people just aren鈥檛 aware of plant operating or other career paths the sector offers.
鈥淭he simulator will help us connect with school children, college students and others, allowing them to use immersive technology to experience what it鈥檚 like to actually drive a piece of plant machinery. It鈥檚 the next best thing to actually sitting in the cab and operating a real machine.
鈥淥ne of the winners from the CPA Stars of the Future Awards 2025 entered the industry as a direct result of trying her hand on a plant simulator at a careers event at her school, so it just shows the huge potential they offer in attracting young people to our industry.鈥�
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