City of Kitchener Saves Time and Trains More Operators with Simlog Simulation

The City of Kitchener transformed its equipment operator training by integrating Simlog’s Hydraulic Excavator Personal Simulator and Simulation Manager into a new in-house program. Facing a shortage of skilled operators and low hiring success rates, the city implemented simulator-based training to identify internal talent, reduce testing overhead, and ensure operator safety before field training.

This approach resulted in a 500% increase in successful operator promotions and saved over 240 man-hours in just one year. Employees trained on their time, progressing through customized benchmarks that measured aptitude and readiness—before ever touching real equipment. With reduced costs, improved efficiency, and a fast ROI, the City now plans to expand its simulator lab and support regional training collaborations.

Key ROI Highlights:

• 240+ man-hours saved in one year
• $16,000 in labor and equipment cost savings
• Simulator paid for itself in under 6 months
• 500% increase in operator readiness
• 30 trainees screened, 8 fully certified—all promoted internally

The Bench Loading with Truck Spotting – Boulders module challenges excavator trainees to perform coordinated, high-efficiency rock loading. Using Simlog’s Hydraulic Excavator Personal Simulator, operators gain experience loading large boulders into haul trucks while managing swing angles, bucket fill, and truck positioning in a realistic bench setup.

This video highlights how the simulator trains users to safely load heavy material with precision while working alongside other equipment. It reinforces essential skills such as communication, spatial awareness, and cycle time optimization—preparing trainees for demanding job site conditions in mining, construction, and earthworks industries.

The Bucket Positioning module in Simlog’s Backhoe Loader Personal Simulator helps trainees master one of the most fundamental skills in earthmoving: controlling bucket position with accuracy and consistency. This module focuses on arm, boom, and bucket coordination to improve excavation readiness and minimize job site errors.

In this video demo, operators practice aligning the bucket for digging, trenching, and loading tasks. It’s a foundational training experience that prepares learners for more complex operations while reinforcing safe habits, efficient movement, and equipment awareness from the ground up.

The Corridor Driving 1 module in Simlog’s Off-Highway Truck Personal Simulator helps operators develop foundational steering and path-following skills. This simulation challenges trainees to navigate a narrow driving corridor, emphasizing consistent alignment, turning judgment, and safe handling of large equipment.

This demo video shows how the simulator supports early-stage training for new drivers, building confidence behind the wheel while reinforcing habits that reduce the risk of collisions and improve haul cycle efficiency. It’s a vital step toward mastering complex routes on construction and mining sites.