THE Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA) has invested in a new plant simulator housed in a bespoke branded trailer.
Purchased from Tenstar Simulation, it will allow plant operators of the future to get hands-on experience operating a range of equipment – including dumpers, excavators, telehandlers, and tower cranes using realistic controls and 3D motion.
The simulator is housed in a trailer manufactured by Ifor Williams Trailers, allowing it to be easily and safely transported around country. It will be used at schools, colleges, and careers events to raise awareness about plant operating and encourage young people to consider construction plant as a future career path.
The simulator will also appear as a prominent feature on the CPA stand at the Executive Hire Show in February.
CPA chief executive officer Steve Mulholland said, “Our industry offers jobs for life and it’s 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’t aware of plant operating or other career paths the sector offers.
“The simulator will help us connect with school children, college students and others, allowing them to use immersive technology to experience what it’s like to actually drive a piece of plant machinery. It’s the next best thing to actually sitting in the cab and operating a real machine.
“One 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.”
