New qualifications for fluid power engineers
Keywords: Hydraulics, Pneumatics
The British Fluid Power Association is the trade association representing the hydraulics and pneumatics industry. The Association has taken a bold step in launching a new series of BFPA-awarded, competence-based qualifications. These are designed to meet the ever-changing needs of those involved in the maintenance and management of fluid power and motion control systems.
The qualifications cover both static and mobile hydraulic plant Level 3, and Level 3 industrial pneumatics. A new Level 4 "Hydraulic System Design"qualification is also being launched and more craft-orientated Level 2 and 1 qualifications will follow shortly, providing a progressive awards structure.
The new qualifications have been designed by BFPA's Education & Training Committee and will be run by BFPA Approved Centres.
The schemes are in line with Occupational Levels recognised in Europe by CETOP, the industry's European federation.
Why the shift from recognised Awarding Bodies? BFPA's Education &Training Committee chairman, John Savage, who is director of the National Fluid Power Centre in Worksop, Nottinghamshire explains:- 'There has been a great deal of comment in the press recently concerning the "worth" of current qualifications and BFPA has recognised that too many qualifications offered today fail to provide the in-depth knowledge and skills required in the field of fluid power.'
