My, how time flies, already the deadline for the second issue of Motion Control for 2007 has arrived. We are busy preparing for our trip to Hanover and time is short. I am looking forward to telling you about developments and trends that I spot and people that I meet at Hanover.
Education and training
We are still on the bandwagon of education and training. It is the number one subject of attention in SAFPA. Russel Gill is driving the whole education and training issue with the tenacity of a bulldog. He is the first to pass the examinations for 'Assessor' and is ready to put this in action.
Tremendous progress has been made over the last years. Group standards have been written and submitted but now we have hit a (hopefully temporary) roadblock. It seems that the responsible people at the relevant national body are dragging their feet and we seem to get nowhere fast. It appears that SAQA has still not responded to our application. Is it a case of being too busy or is it a case of incompetence?
Take heart, we are not alone in this. In a recent article in the American Hydraulics & Pneumatics magazine, senior editor Paul Heney poses the question: 'Do we need our own degree?'
In a snap survey that was conducted on the Hydraulics & Pneumatics website they asked respondents the question: 'What is the primary way that you learned about fluid power?' The responses were:
* On the job/from co-workers: 34%.
* Reading up on it myself: 27%.
* Short courses/seminars: 11%.
* In college: 28%.
Heney expresses concern that there is so little technology really being taught at university level and goes on to say that it is not good enough to give someone a week-long class and a computer generated attendance certificate and then proclaim them fluid power experts. He concludes that fluid power does need its own degree, and we agree.
In South Africa we have an excellent base of people and expertise in this field. These people are well-qualified and willing to pass on their knowledge. Right now it is Red Tape that is holding things up. SAFPA will continue to work on removing these roadblocks. If anybody has suggestions with regards to achieving these objectives, please let us know.
Charmaine
The untimely and tragic passing of our secretary Charmaine has shocked us all, we shall miss her in both her professional handling of SAFPA affairs, meetings and events, as well as her wonderful nature. Our condolences go to all her family and friends. I believe a trust fund for Charmaine's children will be set up and am confident that SAFPA and its members will respond. 'RIDE WELL, CHARMAINE'.
Until we meet again,
Fritz Kern
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