Education and Training Developed with the expertise and resources of the BFPA Education and Training Committee, the Association offers three minimum education recommendation guides covering hydraulics, pneumatics and electrical/electronics. The guides, which took two years to compile, represent the consolidated view of leading representatives and experts within the fluid power industry. The guides are the product of a dedicated initiative managed by a specially convened BFPA E&T Taskforce. The BFPA and members of the taskforce wish to acknowledge the valuable contributions made by other industry stakeholders including academia, representatives from other BFPA member organisations, OEMs and the wider UK engineering industry. Intended audience The recommendations in the three guides are primarily intended for those personnel involved in the maintenance and management of fluid power and related electrical/electronic systems – in short – anyone who is expected to operate and maintain fluid power components and systems at a practical level. However, many other related engineering professions would benefit across a range of levels from advanced apprentices to service engineers, technical representatives and project engineers. Appropriately applied, these recommendations establish a foundation upon which any individual may develop their engineering career and become more involved in broader integrated systems engineering. Practical recommendations To support the implementation and effectiveness of these recommendations, candidates must be given the opportunity to install and commission small working systems, whilst reading and interpreting circuit diagrams, following safe working practices and setting up procedures. Stepping stone The BFPA has always taken the lead within the UK as regards the provision of educational recommendations for those involved in the maintenance and management of fluid power systems and their associated control. Thus, these recommendations should be regarded as an industry standard, forming the foundation levels of knowledge and understanding necessary for practical operatives, whilst ensuring that safe working practices are followed at all times. The three minimum educational recommendation guides have been formulated to help approved training centres develop their own training courses that meet these guidelines. These approved foundation courses can then be used as a stepping stone to higher level qualifications such as the BFPA Level 1. Online questionnaire serving hydraulics, pneumatics and electronics To further enhance the efficacy of these minimum education recommendations, the BFPA has devised an online questionnaire, which is accessible on the Association’s website. People can now go online and test their level of knowledge to help decide which training course or qualification is most appropriate for them. The questionnaire comprises 60 questions and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. BFPA minimum educational recommendations 58 www.bfpa.co.uk
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