A new fluid power training and consultancy company, Hydrocraft Technologies, has been formed to offer the guidance, analysis, assessment and training associated with the recently completed National Certificate in Fluid Power.
Russell Gill, founder of the company says: "As a result of the overwhelming interest shown in the National Certificate in Fluid Power by industry, OEMs and end-user organisations, it has been necessary to form a company dedicated to addressing these needs."
Gill has an established track record in the fluid power industry spanning 22 years. He has been a council member of the South African Fluid Power Association (SAFPA) for 12 years, six of which were served as president, and was instrumental in setting up the Standards Generating Group (SGG) that wrote the National Certificate in Fluid Power.
Recently, Gill achieved assessor status for this qualification. This entitles him to assess performance of candidates against unit standards. His involvement in the SGG and assessor competency has given him a sound knowledge of the workings of SAQA, various SETAs, industry companies and tertiary educational institutions.
He says: "To date, most training relating to hydraulics, pneumatics, and hose and fittings has involved attending one of the three- or four-day courses that are offered by various creditable organisations. While all training is useful, these have not always produced the desired results. For instance, it may not be possible to translate the training received to practice in the workplace."
Using the structure of the National Certificate in Fluid Power and the unit standards within the qualification, Hydrocraft Technologies is able to identify precisely the training a candidate in an organisation requires both practically and theoretically.
It is now possible to offer workers who have worked in organisations for years carrying out tasks such as counter sales, assembling hoses, pipe assemblies, piping up powerpacks and pneumatic panels or just identifying and picking components in the stores, to be trained in their specific field and obtain certified recognition for their skills.
At the other end of the scale the qualification enables a candidate who would like to improve him/herself and enter the field of fluid power design, to do so. For OEM and end-user companies who have employees carrying out service work or maintenance there are unit standards covering repairs, testing, service, filtration and maintenance.
In summary, Hydrocraft Technologies is offering the following:
* Assistance with skills planning in the organisation and recommending training requirements.
* Identifying any critical skills requirements.
* Assessing prior learning and matching it to unit standards so that certification can be obtained.
* Identifying the unit standards applicable to particular candidates.
* Assisting companies with the drawing up of the Workplace Skills Plan and Annual Training Report for the relevant SETA.
* Carrying out assessment of a candidate's competence against the relevant unit standard.
* Providing theoretical training courses for the following:
* Theoretical requirements as required by a unit standard.
* Dedicated training aimed at troubleshooting and maintenance of particular pieces of hydraulic or pneumatically driven equipment within a client's plant.
* Basic, intermediate and advanced hydraulic theory courses.
* Maintaining records of each candidate's progress as they move through a qualification, and ensuring that they are progressing at a reasonable rate, while providing feedback for management on their employee's skills development.
"For companies that wish to carry out training in hydraulics and pneumatics, Hydrocraft Technologies is offering a unique opportunity that follows the ideals laid out in the Skills Development Act. By embracing these ideals participants will be actively lifting the skills level of the industry, motivating employees and at the same time doing it in the way that has been specified by government. This will ensure there will be no problem in receiving the rebates from the SETA regarding the skills levy," Gill concludes.
For more information contact Russell Gill, Hydrocraft Technologies, +27 (0)12 252 0701, [email protected]
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