1. Regional Simulation Partnership
June 2019

2. Partnership Purpose
Project Purpose:
The Regional Simulation Partnership (RSP) project was initiated by the Upper
Coastal Plain Council of Governments (UCPCOG) as part of its Comprehensive
Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) to develop an innovative and talented
workforce within the region.
The RSP proposes to build partnerships to use virtual game simulations, i.e.
game based career pathways, to increase youth interest in technical trade and/or
middle skill occupations, and to link them to additional occupational training
opportunities.
The partnership has now expanded to include business, education, economic
development, game development, and technology organizations.

3. Game Based Career Pathways
Game
Simulations
Career
Pathway
In
School
Youth
Out of
School
Youth
Key Points
• Use realistic game simulations to
generate youth interest
• Match simulations to industries in the
area
• Design structured learning curriculum
for each simulation
• Build the right referral network to help
youth obtain additional training and
experience

4. Sample Career Pathway
Relevant
Simulation
Career
Exploration
Simulation
Exercises
Employer
Engagement
Field Trips
Continuing
Opportunities

5. Project Design
• Simulations match jobs available within
the partnership regions
• The intent is to use a career exploration
approach, and to introduce students to
a simulated work environment
• Deployed via the cloud to local partner
computer labs
• Career exploration is led by a local
partner, with resource support via the
NC Simulation Station website.

6. Simulation Partnership Matrix
NC
Simulation
Station
Workforce
Government
Education
TechnologyBusiness
Trainers
Funding
Entities
Inventory partner resources, and develop strategies to address barriers to implementation

7. Potential Pathway Implementation
K-12
• CTE Delivery
• Career Exploration
WIOA
• Out of School Youth
• Training Provider
Third Party / Community
Organization
• Career Awareness
• Community Centers
• YMCA’s
• Community College
• Boys/Girls Clubs
Common Elements:
1. Each pathway must have a funding source to initiate and sustain
• Hardware and software purchases are the biggest initial lift
2. An on site instructor capable of using the simulations
3. Local area business and industry support

8. NC Simulation Station
www.ncsimulationstation.com

9. NC Simulation Station Cont’d.
www.ncsimulationstation.com
The NC Simulation Station (NCSS) is a web
resource sponsored by the Upper Coastal Plain
Council of Governments (UCPCOG) and
the Turning Point Workforce Development Board
(TPWDB).
The NC Simulation Station site will be used to
provide updates on our regional and/or state
progress, the games and simulations we are
using, and a contact page for potential partners
or sponsors to contact us to find out how to join
our effort.
As the concept grows it is our hope that more
partners around the state can join us to advance
game simulated career pathways, and build out
resources that help to generate career interest
across North Carolina.

10. NC Simulation Station Cont’d.
www.ncsimulationstation.com
Resources on NC Simulation Station
• Partnership Overview
• The Business Case for Games
• Game Summaries
• Helpful Startup Guides
• Links to Twitch.tv Streaming Videos
• News & Updates
• A “Join Us” Online Form

11. Current Simulations

12. Current Simulations

13. Simulation Sample
Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
Garage Diagnosis Example

14. Simulation Sample
Car Mechanic Simulator 2018
Disassemble/Reassemble Example

15. Simulation Sample
Farming Simulator
Tractor Example

16. Simulation Sample
Farming Simulator
Typical Farmland Example

17. Simulation Sample
American Truck Simulator
Big Rig Example

18. Simulation Sample
American Truck Simulator
Truck Interior Example

19. Real World Application
Career Exploration
(K-12)
Workforce Development
(Out of School Youth)
Economic Development
(Regional Coordination)
Business Development
(Talent Pipeline)
Career
Readiness

20. Contact Information
Robert Hiett
Executive Director
Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments
rhiett@ucpcog.org
252-234-5952
Michael Williams
Workforce Development Director
Turning Point Workforce Development
mwilliams@turningpointwdb.org
252-443-6175