Beyond the university: simulation education on the job

Simulation modelers have a diversity of educational backgrounds including several engineering and scientific disciplines, mathematics and computer related fields. Many of the skills required to achieve modeling proficiency are learned "on the job". Emerging trends in the demand for more complex and fully automated simulation applications are requiring simulators to develop a working knowledge of a much broader range of software technologies and modeling methodologies. Unfortunately, there are no structured educational programs for acquiring and developing these skills. Simulation apprenticeships provide an effective means for acquiring many of the essential and emerging simulation skills that are not delivered through conventional educational methods.