Simulation Training Platforms

A simulation training platform is a digital system that allows individuals or organisations to create and deliver training through interactive, real-world scenarios.

Instead of simply reading or watching content, learners can practise skills, make decisions, and experience outcomes in a safe, controlled environment.

What is a Simulation Training Platform?

Simulation platforms enable instructors and L&D teams to model realistic tasks and consequences. Learners can make choices, receive feedback, and repeat activities until competence is achieved. Good platforms support analytics, scenario branching, assessment, and integration with an LMS or HR system.

Types of Simulation Training Platforms

• Software simulations – Safe environments to practise using business applications (guided, assessed, or sandbox modes) for IT rollouts, digital adoption, and process training.
• Virtual Reality (VR) simulations – Fully immersive 3D scenarios via headsets for physical, complex, or high-risk tasks (e.g. machinery, clinical skills, emergency response).
• Augmented Reality (AR) simulations – Digital overlays on the real world via mobiles or smart glasses for maintenance, assembly, and in-field guidance.
• Scenario-based / branching simulations – Narrative workplace situations where decisions lead to different outcomes; ideal for leadership, customer service, ethics, and compliance.
• Process & system simulations – Models of complex processes (e.g. supply chain, trading, engineering) to test strategies and decision-making under varied conditions.
• Flight, driving & equipment simulators – Hardware or hybrid systems replicating vehicles and plant; essential in aviation, defence, transport, and heavy industry.
• Digital twins – High-fidelity virtual replicas of assets or environments for training, diagnostics, and continuous improvement.

Common Use Cases

• Employee onboarding – Accelerate time-to-competence on systems, processes, and behaviours.
• Health & safety – Practise responses to hazards and emergencies without real-world risk.
• Technical skills – Operate machinery, instruments, and software with guided feedback.
• Compliance & ethics – Experience realistic dilemmas and apply policy correctly.
• Soft skills – Leadership, communication, negotiation, customer interactions, and conflict resolution.
• Crisis & incident management – Rehearse playbooks for cyberattacks, outages, and operational incidents.
• Performance support – On-the-job AR prompts and just-in-time simulations to reduce errors.
• Change & transformation – Safely trial new processes and measure adoption before go-live.

Industries Where Simulation Training is Widely Used

• Aviation & aerospace – Pilot and crew training, air traffic control simulations.
• Healthcare & life sciences – Surgical and clinical simulations, device use, patient communication, pharmaceutical compliance.
• Construction & engineering – Plant operation, site safety, BIM/process simulations.
• Manufacturing & industry – Assembly, robotics, quality control, lean operations.
• Defence & security – Tactical, mission rehearsal, cyber defence.
• Financial services – Trading/risk simulations, fraud detection, regulatory scenarios.
• Retail & hospitality – Customer service role-plays, upselling, loss prevention.
• Energy & utilities – High-risk environment training, maintenance of critical infrastructure.
• Technology & IT – Software adoption, SRE/DevOps incident drills, cybersecurity.
• Transport & logistics – Driver training, route planning, control-room operations.
• Public sector & emergency services – Policing, fire and rescue, emergency medical response.

In Summary:

Simulation training platforms replicate real-world processes, equipment, or environments – whether through software simulations, immersive virtual reality (VR), or scenario-based eLearning. Learners gain practical, hands-on experience without the risks or costs of real-world errors.