High School Students to Participate in Crane Simulator Training

In November, more than 20 high school students, sponsored by the Construction Education Foundation of Georgia (CEFGA), will participate in training and development programs offered by Crane Industry Services.  In addition to receiving an overview about careers in construction, the students will take part in a study to determine the value of crane simulators.  Students applied to and were selected by CEFGA. Additional groups from other campuses are expected to participate throughout 2017.

“As novices, with no previous exposure to crane operation, the high school students meet the qualifications of one of three populations we are studying,” said Debbie Dickinson, CEO of CIS. “The students will be given classroom instruction on crane safety concepts. The simulator will be used to determine what level of skill can be achieved, and whether this training is effective at producing entry level operators.” The study’s co-partners are CIS, CM Labs, and West Georgia Technical College.

Dickinson serves on a CEFGA committee designed to connect teachers, students, and industry. “It is our goal that this relationship with CEFGA will become part of our TradeUp initiative to develop skilled craft professionals and to connect those individuals with employers,” said Dickinson.