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Jackson McField is one of several students lined up to commence an innovative programme at the Grand Habour-based training centre, in partnership with Sitetech, to equip young Caymanians with the skills for the construction industry.

“We are committed to ensuring that Caymanians get the best opportunity our island has to offer and that starts with training and qualifications to compete in our world-class work force,” Michael Myles, managing director at Inspire Cayman Training, said of the programme which is set to begin 22 Aug.

At present, he said, 23 vehicles are loaded on the simulator, which comes with the corresponding pedals, gear sticks and a steering wheel. It also has a hydraulic base that mimics movements of the various heavy equipment programmed into the computer.

The Heavy Equipment Simulator, valued at $100,0000, he said, will provide training and accreditation for operation and safety of heavy duty machinery, drivers’ education and more.

The simulator was brought in, he said, because no one is going to give a 20-year-old a $500,000 piece of machinery to practise on.

“That’s just not going to happen,” he said. “But with a simulator, we can get that same person one hour, three hours, five hours, looking at six machines that they can practise on that’s not going to pollute the air. … It doesn’t matter if it’s raining outside, it doesn’t matter if it’s a Saturday, or if it’s seven o’clock at night, the simulator will continue to run.”

Innovation meets classroom

More than 20 applicants have already signed up for the training, which is accredited by the NOCN Group.

He said, at the moment, Inspire Cayman is in discussions to upload fire trucks to the simulator as part of a partnership with the Fire Service, and it also has an ambulance for EMT training.

Michael Myles, managing director at Inspire Cayman Training. -Photo: Reshma Ragoonath

Myles said Sitetech gives trainees practical experiences training in live machinery to demonstrate their proficiency before being on the road or job site.

“Our programme makes the Cayman Islands the first in the Caribbean to offer these training programmes, international accreditation and technology,” he added.

With 16.8% of construction industry jobs going to work-permit holders, Myles said, he wants Inspire Cayman Training to bridge the gap, but also provide holistic support.

“So, within workforce development, we also provide life skills programming as well… We’ve recently got that accredited as well because … we want our people to get an actual accredited diploma from it,” he said.

‘Realistic’ training

The innovative approach to training through the simulator means that Jackson McField can realise his childhood dream of driving heavy machinery, like his dad who drove dump trucks and other large vehicles.

“So, from a little baby boy, I have always loved it and I would like, one day hopefully, to have my [own] business. That’s what I’m currently working for at the moment,” the 21-year-old told the Cayman Compass.

Student Rascine Smith, 21, enjoys practising driving the excavator. -Photo: Reshma Ragoonath

Though he aspires to be certified to operate an excavator, Jackson McField, a trainee with Public Works, said he hopes to get a taste of all the vehicles and equipment loaded on the simulator.

“I would love to get every bit of experience with each and every one, because it would be very beneficial for me,” he said.

Fellow student Rascine Smith, 21, has already started practising on the simulator and he said he has been enjoying the experience.

The simulator has 23 vehicle options and features wide screens, pedals and hydraulics to give students a realistic feel of driving heavy equipment. -Photo: Reshma Ragoonath

“This exercise that we are doing with the telehandler is fun,” he said, though he admitted, “I have crashed a couple of times.”

He added that operating a vehicle in the simulator feels “realistic”.

“It’s like the whole machine moves when you are using different machinery,” he said.
He added that he would encourage other young people to check out the programmes before dismissing construction opportunities.

Myles pointed out that truck drivers to crane operators can earn between $40,000 to $100,000. “This does not include entrepreneurs whose earnings could exceed this amount,” he added.

Getting back to work

With COVID receding, a lot of Caymanians are trying to get back to work and therefore opportunities for professional development have to be tailored to that, he said.

“They don’t have the time to come and actually sit into a classroom,” he said.

“Education and training we now need to make very flexible. We have a lot of single moms, we have a lot of single dads, that want training so we have to meet them where they are, and the only way for us to do that is to make sure that they have access 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The end goal is to have a better competitive workforce,” he said.

Last week, he said, the simulator was debuted to government and a number of local firms.

Myles said Deputy Premier and Labour Minister Chris Saunders, ministers Kenneth Bryan and Jay Ebanks, MPs Katherine Ebanks-Wilks and Isaac Rankine are all on board with the programme, and Inspire Cayman is partnering with government departments on training that is set to commence Monday, 22 Aug.