The AgForce Training simulator recently rolled into Loganlea State High School for two days of hands-on learning and the school’s AgStars certainly lived up to their name.
Across the two days, eight different classes had the opportunity to experience simulated machinery training, with students ranging from Year 7 Agriculture through to senior Certificate II Automotive and extension learning classes.
Students stepped behind the controls, tested their skills and experienced what it is like to operate agricultural machinery in a safe and controlled environment. From first-time operators finding their confidence to students quickly mastering the controls, the enthusiasm across both days was fantastic to see.
The state-of-the-art simulator was developed by Tenstar Simulation, a global specialist in virtual simulation technology, and allows participants to experience realistic machinery operation within a safe and controlled training environment.
Seed funding for the simulator was provided by Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), supporting an 18-month project that will see the technology travel throughout Queensland and provide students, new entrants and existing agricultural workers with greater access to practical machinery training.
Congratulations to the Loganlea AgStars on the skills, confidence and willingness to learn they demonstrated throughout the sessions. The AgForce Training team had just as much fun delivering the training as the students appeared to have taken part.
Creating Opportunities for Every Student
One of the greatest strengths of simulator-based training is its ability to create an inclusive learning environment.
Students participating in the Loganlea sessions came from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, including Congolese, Afghan, Syrian and Australian communities, while also representing a broad range of learning abilities and educational needs.
The simulator allowed students to learn at their own pace, repeat tasks, become familiar with machinery controls and build confidence without the pressure or risks associated with immediately operating real equipment.
For one visually impaired student, the experience provided an opportunity that may otherwise never have been possible. After his session, he shared that “it was so much fun to be able to learn to drive a tractor, because he will never be able to drive.”
It was a powerful reminder that simulation technology can offer much more than technical skills. It can make practical learning accessible, create new experiences and give students an opportunity to participate alongside their classmates regardless of their circumstances.
From the Classroom to the Cab
For young people considering careers in agriculture, automotive, machinery operation or other practical industries, gaining experience around large equipment can be challenging.
The AgForce Training simulator helps bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world machinery operation. Students can become familiar with controls, practise coordination and machine movements, develop spatial awareness and understand how different machinery responds, all within a controlled learning environment.
Importantly, mistakes become opportunities to learn. Students can try again, adjust their technique and develop confidence without risking injury, machinery damage or disruption to a working agricultural operation.
And it’s not only the students who have been impressed by the experience. Experienced tractor operators within Loganlea State High School’s Agriculture Department were struck by how closely the simulator replicates operating real machinery.
“Amazing how realistic it is, exactly like operating the school’s large tractor. Even the implements operated the same.” — AgStars Head of Department
Feedback like this reinforces the value of simulation as a practical training tool. By closely replicating the controls, movements and operation of real agricultural machinery and implements, the simulator gives participants an opportunity to develop familiarity and confidence before progressing to equipment in the field.
More Than a Simulator
The AgForce Training simulator isn’t simply about giving students a turn behind the controls. It can form part of a structured training experience designed around the needs of schools, agricultural businesses and workforces.
Simulation-based training can support familiarisation and skills development across a range of machinery scenarios, helping participants build foundational operating skills before progressing to practical training on real equipment.
Depending on the training program and simulator configuration, training can incorporate areas such as tractor and agricultural machinery operation, front-end loaders, telehandlers, excavators, skid steer loaders, forklifts and other mobile plant scenarios.
Programs can focus on core skills including machinery familiarisation, control functions, safe start-up and shutdown principles, manoeuvring, spatial awareness, hazard recognition, operational planning and safe decision-making.
For schools, this provides an exciting way to introduce students to machinery operation and agricultural career pathways. For industry, it provides another tool for developing workforce capability, refreshing existing skills and preparing employees before they move into higher-risk practical environments.
Training Packages Built Around the Learner
AgForce Training can develop simulator training packages to suit different experience levels and learning objectives.
For school and entry-level participants, sessions can introduce machinery controls, basic operating principles, safety awareness and potential careers across agriculture and related industries.
For new and inexperienced workers, simulation can help establish foundational skills and confidence before progressing to supervised practical machinery training.
For existing agricultural employees, simulator sessions can support skills development, refresher training and exposure to different machinery types and operating scenarios.
Training can also be incorporated into broader workforce development programs alongside AgForce Training’s nationally recognised and accredited courses, creating a more comprehensive pathway from introductory learning through to formal competency development.
This combination of simulated learning, practical instruction and accredited training gives participants the opportunity to build skills progressively rather than being expected to learn everything once they are sitting behind the controls of a real machine.
A Safer Place to Learn
Agricultural machinery is an essential part of modern farming, but it also presents significant workplace risks.
Introducing safe operating principles early can help participants understand that machinery competency involves much more than knowing how to make a machine move.
Operators need to recognise hazards, understand their surroundings, make appropriate decisions and appreciate the consequences of unsafe actions.
Simulation allows these lessons to be introduced in an environment where participants can experience realistic operating situations without exposing themselves, other workers, livestock or valuable equipment to unnecessary risk.
It is particularly valuable for younger or inexperienced learners who may never have previously sat behind the controls of agricultural machinery.
Taking Training on the Road
One of the major advantages of the AgForce Training simulator is its mobility.
Rather than requiring participants to travel significant distances to access specialist equipment, the simulator can be taken to schools, agricultural communities, industry events and training locations, helping bring practical learning opportunities closer to regional and rural Queenslanders.
For schools such as Loganlea State High School, that means students can experience agricultural machinery operation as part of their broader learning without leaving the school environment.
For agricultural businesses, it creates opportunities to explore simulator-based workforce development as part of a broader training strategy.
Building the Next Generation of Agriculture
Agriculture needs skilled, confident and safety-conscious young people, and giving students the opportunity to experience the industry is an important step towards developing that future workforce.
The Loganlea AgStars demonstrated exactly what can happen when young people are given the opportunity to learn in an engaging, practical environment.
A huge congratulations to every student who stepped into the simulator and gave it a go. Your enthusiasm, developing skills and willingness to challenge yourselves impressed the AgForce Training team, and we thoroughly enjoyed spending the two days training with you.
And to Loganlea State High School, thank you for welcoming the AgForce Training team and giving your students the opportunity to experience a different approach to practical learning.
Bring the Simulator to Your School or Workplace
Want to give your students or workforce the opportunity to experience simulator-based machinery training?
AgForce Training can develop a training package tailored to your school, organisation or agricultural operation, combining simulator-based learning with practical and nationally recognised training pathways.
Contact the AgForce Training team to discuss bringing the simulator to your region and building a training program around the skills your students or workforce need.