NAHA installs Heavy Equipment Simulator to train next generation of operators

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — The North Alabama Homebuilding Academy ( NAHA ) is adding to it’s educational toolbelt. NAHA recently installed a CMLabs Heavy Equipment Simulator.

The simulator lets NAHA students and recent graduates train on five different types of heavy machinery:

• Articulated Dump Truck
• Backhoe
• Excavator
• Skid Steer
• Wheel Loader

“It’s a chance to get on the equipment, learn the controls ahead of time, get comfortable,” said Tommy Davis, the Executive Director of the North Alabama Homebuilding Academy.

The simulator is similar to a 4-D ride at a theme park, in that the base moves and shakes in a way that mimics the real thing.

Davis says the simulator was installed last month, and it’s already helping students feel more comfortable when learning how to operate heavy machinery.

NAHA partners with Huntsville Tractor for a two-day Heavy Equipment Training during each NAHA cycle. Davis says now students can get in plenty of practice on the simulator, prior to using the real equipment.

“For the first time, this last week we had our students come and practice on the simulator first, before they went out to do the real equipment,” Davis said. “It was amazing the difference in the level of comfort they had when they got on the machines.”

When News 19 stopped by the North Alabama Homebuilders Association on Wednesday, we met Renee Davie. Davie was using the simulator to practice operating a skid steer.

“For what I do, I needed to have a little bit of experience and this is a great opportunity for that experience,” Davie said.

Davie co-owns North Alabama Projects, a handyman and home repair company, with her son-in-law. She told News 19 that having a basic level of equipment operation could help them expand some of the services they offer.

So, when it came time to learn how to operate heavy equipment, she returned to where her career in construction began about two years ago.

“So I was actually looking for a trade school for my son, and NAHA came up on the internet,” Davie said. “I have always liked working with my hands, I decided to take the courses.”

Davie graduated from NAHA two years ago after learning many homebuilding and trade skills. She said she recommends the program to someone of any age who is looking to find a new career.

NAHA offers the simulator to current students and NAHA graduates. Davie said she heard about it via email and immediately signed up for the training.

She’s now spent time both on the simulator and the real equipment.

“It was a little nerve-wracking however I felt more prepared than had I just stepped on the machine itself,”

The homebuilding academy is also working with local construction companies to help train their employees on heavy equipment using the simulator. Companies who are interested in booking time should contact NAHA .

The North Alabama Homebuilding Academy is a nonprofit organization that provides hands-on, short-term training to individuals seeking to enter the residential construction industry. The program is free for people who are serious about pursuing a career in construction in north Alabama. NAHA recently celebrated its 500th graduate.

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