Hydraulics & Pneumatics January/February 2023

Stephen Wright, Thorite . www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS January/February 2023 23 best experiences and training for our apprentices, the move to a more rigid and prescriptive model of training laid out in the new Engineering Standards approach to apprenticeships feels more restrictive and less intuitive.” Butcher points out that many BFPA members offer training in flexible hose technology through their own business in partnership with the BFPA. This training has now become a recognised industry standard in both the UK and Overseas. The Association, together with its members, also provide fluid power training to a very high standard, although this standard is typically not recognised. “We have implemented training courses to the new BFPA standard – an initiative that has been driven by our members who told us what they saw as the most important requirements for training,” says Butcher. “The biggest challenge we face in the fluid power sector is that whilst apprenticeships might include modules associated with fluid power, the standard of training is currently dictated by the level of knowledge of the person delivering the course, the technical information available to them and any test rig capabilities the training/education establishment has onsite. Having educational centres that recognise the BFPA standard will be key in having a foundation or introduction to fluid power, and then building further training in line with the BFPA courses. A gas engineer has a Gas Safe Register certificate, and our goal is to have a BFPA-recognised standard. Until we get to this point, it will be an ongoing challenge to meet the industry requirements.” Rubinstein states that BCAS continues to provide specialised courses and advice on compressed air systems. “Within Atlas Copco, we also offer a wide range of online and physical training to our own employees and distributors,” he explains. “In addition, we have created a compressed air wiki, dedicated to explaining everything there is to know about compressed air, compressors, air treatment and more. This is an excellent free resource for end users and students alike, and we invite readers to send in their questions so that we can expand the wiki if there is anything missing.” Jones says BCAS is the only UK trade association with responsibility for the compressed air and vacuum industry and its business sectors. “We recognised that there had been no dedicated apprenticeship available for the future development of engineering technicians into our industry and set about addressing this skills gap,” she points out. “A Trailblazer group was formed and working with our members and the IfATE, we launched our Compressed Air and Vacuum Technician (CAVT) apprenticeship scheme in 2021. Following the selection of our end-point assessor organisation (EAL, part of the Enginuity group), candidates began enrolling on the course from early September 2021, working with Semester Learning and Development (Semester), also the first provider in the UK to run the scheme. During the three-year apprenticeship, candidates will learn how to commission compressed air and/or vacuum equipment and their associated systems, alongside service and maintenance, fault diagnosis, repair and system optimisation. The course will also include the development of transferrable skills, which can be provided via BCAS training courses including working safely with compressed air and compressed air treatment technology to name a few. The final two years will be more focused on developing the key engineering skills required by the industry, including installation, commissioning, service and repair of compressed air and vacuum systems.” Schofield believes the BPMA was fortunate to have first got involved in training back in the 1990s. “Over the years, we’ve adapted and increased our training offerings, and we also have our own training officer,” he says. “Out of the income we receive from the membership Steve Schofield, BPMA.