During difficult economic times, the highest paid, most experienced employees are often some of the first to be let go. In some cases, the employees that remain do not have the experience or skill level to complete the tasks as quickly and accurately as their former colleagues. Worse yet, the remaining employees are often asked to do more work.
Computer simulation is one method that manufacturers are employing to improve the skills their employees need to run the shop-floor equipment.
An advantage of simulation is that companies do not have to buy equipment for the sole purpose of training. In addition, because the equipment they do have is not being used for training, it remains in production and the risk of damage during training sessions by inexperienced users is eliminated.