Simulation training is a key part of the model at Sellenriek.
Depending on their role and region, operators may be training on horizontal directional drills or other types of equipment across fiber, underground utility and overhead electric jobs. effort into a broader workforce development model. Newer employees gain a structured introduction to the company’ s expectations, while more experienced workers help reinforce those standards and model leadership for the people around them.
The curriculum spans several core areas:
• Safety procedures and hazard recognition
• Quality assurance and quality control practices
• Equipment maintenance expectations
• Leadership and communication on the jobsite
Woodward said the impact has been measurable, with a 43 % reduction in incidents among new hires and an estimated 65 % drop in company-wide incidents, including recordable and lost-time events.
The value of the program goes beyond technical
instruction. It helps establish a common operating standard for their workforce, regardless of their location or the nature of their work, supporting fiber installation in one market and underground or overhead utility work in another.
Training Flexibility Simulation became a key part of that model because it gave Sellenriek the flexibility to deliver training on multiple types of equipment while reflecting the actual demands of its business. Crews are not all doing the same work on the same equipment. Depending on the role and region, operators may be training on digger derricks, bucket trucks, excavators, backhoes, horizontal directional drills and other support equipment across fiber, underground utility and overhead electric jobs.
Participants log in under individual credentials and complete task-based modules aligned with their roles. They train on simulator exercises that match the equipment they use. Beyond the training itself, the simulator generates high-quality reporting that gives Sellenriek a way to document development and evaluate performance. Those insights help reinforce common standards across crews, roles and regions.
Woodward said simulation also reveals operator habits early.“ Simple things like seatbelt use show up right away,” he related.“ You can see how someone approaches the machine before they ever step into the field.”
For a multi-state contractor, that kind of visibility matters. It creates a more consistent way to assess behavior, verify readiness and reinforce expectations across crews that may rarely train together in person. It also helps Sellenriek develop operators without putting unnecessary wear, downtime or risk on live production equipment.
14 June 26, 2026 www. contractorshotline. com