BCAS 2018

BCAS 16 www.bcas.org.uk Technical Development Officer report In 2017 the BCAS Board and Executive Director Vanda Jones approved the decision to create and appoint a new role within the organisation. For the first time in its history BCAS will have two people in the Technical Support Office. Roy Brooks, BCAS Technical Development officer, reports. I n addition to the role of Technical officer a new position of Technical Development Officer was created. I was fortunate enough to be offered this new and exciting opportunity. While the Technical officer (Tim Preece) will concentrate on BCAS continued involvement in support and participation of ISO, BSI Standards and regulations, my main role will be to develop and deliver training materials to our BCAS membership and the Compressor and Vacuum industry in general. In November 2013 the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills and Department for Education announced the first apprenticeship Trailblazer projects – putting employers ‘in the driving seat’ to pilot and test the development of new apprenticeships standards and the high- level assessment approaches. BCAS will have a role in development of Trailblazer within the industry of compressors and vacuum and I am pleased to say this is already underway. Engineering in the UK needs apprentices BCAS has a will and desire to ensure our industry attracts those apprentices and that the training provided will be of the highest level available. The training initiative is intended to supplement but not replace the training offered by manufacturers specific product training, the challenge for BCAS and the wider Compressed air and Vacuum industry is to find new ways to engage a younger generation into the wonderful and exciting world of engineering. BCAS has recognised the industry has challenges ahead relating to training in an industry where many of its newer and younger employees are inexperienced, our aim is to create training programs aimed at raising the standards and skill levels across the UK compressor and vacuum industries. BCAS has long offered advice and training to our members and end users, however the need for faster more cost-effective training for our members employees and end user employees is a challenge BCAS has recognised to be vital for the future of our industry. BCAS has in place a “Staircase of knowledge” approach to training packages with online courses such as “Working safely with compressed air”, To make users aware of safe working practices the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS) has developed this course in conjunction with safety practitioners in the field: http://e-learning.bcas.org.uk/ Course/Category?reference=3bf727eb- 9723-44a1-883c-d21e455ec248 This course takes an hour to complete and covers the following subject areas: Hazards of compressed air as an energy source. Hazards arising from various air tools, including noise, vibration, fumes, hoses and connectors etc. The use of Personal Protective Equipment. Employer and employee responsibilities with respect to Health and Safety when using compressed air. Specific hazards and risks associated with blow gun use. A list of safe working practices to be followed. In brief, a course which will help the participants to fulfil employers’ health and safety obligations and provide evidence by the online assessment that the individual has understood safe working practices and their responsibilities. There are many layers of training and development to address over the next 12 months, which include the increase in online learning courses BCAS would like to make available. Technology can provide us with the opportunity to deliver the right training, which will assist the individual development of all employers and employees to ensure the industry is maintaining its responsibilities. By appointing a Technical Development Officer BCAS has committed to achieving the following benefits for its members and employees. To improve personal safety at work, improve employee skills and motivation, less disruption to normal working days of employees, low cost training, and improve opportunities for career development by achieving certification from a recognised body. I look forward to assisting in bringing these BCAS initiatives to fruition over the coming months and years. Please contact me via the BCAS Technical office. I look forward to offering support to all who use the Society.