Maintaining fluid powered equipment requires a special skill set. However, across the industries that utilize those systems, hiring and retaining trained and certified mechanics/technicians is an ongoing and growing challenge, noted Donna Pollander, CEO at the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS).
“One of the issues is that training programs do not always include hydraulics in their curriculum,” Pollander said. “Many technical schools and colleges shy away from fluid power because teaching it requires large and expensive labs.
“In addition, many institutions prioritize general courses that cover a wide range of topics, often leaving out fluid power due to its specialized nature,” Pollander added. “Therefore, it’s often left to fleets to train the people they hire, and just as with the tech schools and colleges, that kind of program requires time, funding and resources they may not have available.”
From Pollander’s viewpoint, looking at fluid power training and certification as an expense doesn’t account for the value that companies can derive. A better investment would be one that covers the cost of training and time spent on courses that may be taken outside of normal operating hours, and one that rewards technicians for achieving certification.
“Many fleets take that approach for ASE certification of vehicle repair technicians and for specialized skills such as welding,” Pollander said. “They see how incentives to become certified, including pay raises, bonuses and advancement from apprentice to journeyman to foreman positions, have a payback in technician job satisfaction and retention.”
IFPS is the only organization that provides comprehensive technical training and certification for the fluid power industry. IFPS certification tests provide an objective, third-party assessment of an individual’s skill level. Current certification offerings include:
The latest IFPS certification offering is for Fluid Power Support Associate (FPSA). FPSA certification is tailored for non-technical professionals involved in various aspects of the fluid power industry, from administration and sales to purchasing, shipments and more.
“Although it’s considered a non-technical certification, many companies are utilizing the program as an onboarding tool to introduce fluid power to personnel entering the field,” Pollander related.
To achieve FPSA certification, candidates must pass a proctored, multiple-choice, 75-question, three-hour written exam to demonstrate an understanding of key industry terminology, fundamental fluid power concepts, component functions and safety protocols.
IFPS also offers a range of training resources, including:
“As companies across a variety of industries that use hydraulic powered equipment focus on the need for more qualified technicians, the need for fluid power training and certification is growing,” Pollander said. “Beyond the value of filling the ranks of their service and support teams, however, attracting and retaining qualified technicians leads to lower repair costs, fewer equipment breakdowns, reduced downtime for service, less need for outsourcing and enhanced safety for equipment operators.”
For more information, visit www.ifps.org.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
