GRAYLING — Kirtland Community College in Grayling will receive $100,000 from the state to support the purchase of a new timber harvesting simulator.
State Rep. Ken Borton pushed for the grant to be included in this year’s state budget, saying it would help support the region’s timber industry.
“It’s going to allow Kirtland to build a curriculum to teach students to properly and safely operate equipment, before they start real work on a real harvester out in the forest,” said Borton, (R) District 105, Gaylord.
Barb Walden, dean of Occupational Programs at Kirtland, says that the simulator will teach students crucial skills in a safe environment.
“It’s an operator’s chair, like you would see in the heavy equipment, and the control panels mimic the heavy equipment,” she said. “There is a projection screen. It’s kind of almost a virtual reality-type training opportunity, where the students are seeing things. They’re running the controls, and it’s simulated.”
Walden also says the college will work with employers for internship placement or for hands-on training.
The college is working to create a 12 to 14 week course for students to learn the basics of the practice and give them the experience they need to enter the field.