Russia Trains Future Crane Operators in Virtual Reality

At a remote Arctic college, VR simulators are turning heavy machinery training into a safer, faster, and more precise process.

In Norilsk, aspiring crane operators are learning their trade not on construction sites but inside virtual reality simulators. The program, launched in 2023 at Taimyr College by Norilsk Nickel’s Polar Transport Division, equips students with VR training tools that let them practice complex maneuvers in a safe environment. The approach accelerates learning and sharpens precision, reports Metalinfo.ru.

By the summer of 2025, the first cohort of 23 students had passed final exams, with most already employed. Over two years, participants logged 144 hours in VR while also completing hands-on training at the Dudinka seaport on the Yenisei River.

With demand for crane operators high across Russia, the college admitted another 25 students this year. VR-based training also lowers the entry barrier: students can begin learning before reaching legal working age.

The simulators were developed by Russian tech firms Intechcom and Virsine, which will showcase the technology at the Metal-Expo 2025 exhibition in St. Petersburg. The project highlights how digital innovation is being used to close workforce gaps in transport and heavy industry.