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Blueworks brings virtual-reality forklift training to Savannah high schools
Summary
A Blueworks representative described a partnership with Groves High School and Savannah Technical College to use forklift simulators to prepare students — including those from underserved communities — for warehouse jobs tied to Hyundai's local growth.
A Blueworks representative and founder (name not provided) told a Savannah-Chatham County meeting that the company has partnered with Groves High School and Savannah Technical College to deliver virtual-reality forklift training aimed at preparing students for local warehouse jobs created by Hyundai’s expansion in the area.
The representative said Blueworks, founded in Southern California in 2017, developed a virtual-reality forklift simulator that trains students on multiple types of equipment. "We developed the forklifts the real forklift virtual reality simulator," the representative said, adding that the software can be expanded to train for cherry pickers, turret trucks and jockey trucks as needed.
The training is designed to give students simulated "seat time" before they are eligible to operate a physical forklift; Georgia rules and industry practice generally require operators to be 18 to drive a physical forklift, the representative noted. "You had to be 18 years old to be on a physical forklift, but with this trainer, I can train them at any age to be a forklift driver," the representative said. After completing the curriculum, students can print a certificate of completion to share with potential employers.
Blueworks said two simulators purchased for the program will be able to train about 10 to 20 students per week. The company estimated the full curriculum runs from about 1 hour 45 minutes to 3½ hours depending on student skill. The representative said the software captures data and analytics that "corrects bad driving behavior and reinforces good driving" and lets administrators identify problem areas.
The representative described this as a pathway for underserved communities to access higher-demand jobs, saying starting pay for forklift operators in the area ranges from about $18 to $22 an hour and that some sites pay about $20 an hour for operators. The speaker said the company moved operations to the Savannah area because of expected job growth tied to Hyundai.
No formal vote or action was recorded on the transcript excerpt. The representative said the goal is to expand the program into additional high schools so students can graduate with training and certificates that make them more quickly employable in local warehouses and logistics operations.
