What is SimU?
SimU is the conversion of our traditional face to face simulator maintenance training into a blended in-person and eLearning package, featuring instructor-led walk throughs and in-situ shots of real equipment. It has enabled us to create a plethora of other flexible options that are available to our customers, such as:
- SimU and a 10-day practical
- A custom package tailored to the number of trainees
- The option of face-to-face training
While we still offer an essential practical phase of training, for me, the flexibility of the SimU platform is its key feature. Its targeted approach means you no longer need to commit to large upfront fees to train your full department, you can simply secure a ‘seat’ based on your upcoming training needs.
This will initially be developed for the Airbus A320, with the aim to expand to also offer training for our Boeing 737 Max, Boeing 787, Airbus A330 and Airbus A350. On top of additional aircraft types to be available, SimU will also be continuously updated and improved with additional content to improve the training we can offer remotely.
Why Have We Developed SimU?
The development of SimU is primarily driven by a post-Covid world. We asked ourselves, how can we deliver training effectively in a world where travel restrictions are preventing us to do so face to face? SimU was the obvious resolution.
During Covid, a lot of experienced technicians left the industry driven by a restructuring of the workforce. Now, post-Covid, the need to recruit from outside the industry presents a challenge for training this new generation of simulator technicians due to a large skill gap. These individuals are going to require more consistent and readily available training, and SimU caters to this need.
What Are The Benefits of SimU?
We recognise the cost of training to organisations. Now the pilot training industry is restabilizing, the demand for training our simulator technicians has also increased, which comes at a cost. SimU offers flexibility in when we chose to train. This means you can schedule training outside of key operational times, or technicians can work and train simultaneously!
From a demographic angle, SimU recognises the way people learn by digitalizing their experience. It’s important to realise that people, particularly the younger generation, are more inclined to be mobile orientated and turn to interactive video content when they want to learn something new. We’ve seen this digital experience adopted across several industries, and we wanted to expand that use of a learning management system (LMS) to cover simulator and flight device maintenance training, giving our customers their independence.
SimU will deliver even better-quality training but at a reduced burden to our customers. With traditional training, eight people would have to be released for a considerable number of days, resulting in simulator operations being impacted and additional staffing costs. Essentially, SimU aims to prevent all these impacts.
One of, if not the most valuable elements of SimU is that it is an individual experience instead of a one size fits all exercise. Students can access a huge amount of learning content instantly, train at their own pace and revisit challenging modules that inexperienced technicians may have found difficult in a traditional classroom setting.