PLCs and HMIs are the way of the future, and technicians wanting to keep their skills honed and in demand, will need to keep abreast of the technology that drives so much of current industry and engineering.
This is according to Mike Cronin, managing director and owner of Elquip Solutions, an established local supplier of electrical and automation equipment and ancillary products to the OEM, SI, wholesale and end-user markets.
"We see the growing demand amongst our clients for people who are fluent in the skills it requires to interface with some of the leading global brands and advancing solutions in instrumentation," says Cronin.
”At the same time, as distributors for manufacturers like Hitachi, we are exposed to international best practices and training. We thought that bringing the skills and training to local installers and electrical engineers would be a great way to grow the local skills-base and empower our clients to get the most out of their equipment. To this end we are launching a series of training programmes to be offered by training manager, Deon Smith, a veteran in the field," he continues.
Smith says: "We are going to start with sessions that are open to our clients and their staff who may want to refresh their skills and update their knowledge. That said, anyone who feels that they would like to learn more about our products and how to really engage with the full extent of their product's functionality is welcome to sign up for the courses."
The initial training session will target the Gennesis Intelligent Relay (10 I/O or 20 I/O) as well as the ProH Hitachi micro-PLC and software. The training will also deal with the new software and ultra- fast processor in the EHV Control Editor from Hitachi and the EH View touch screen that interfaces with all Hitachi PLCs.
"We are also putting an emphasis on pitching the training at different levels, depending on the skill and experience of the people attending – from absolute beginners to advanced users. There will also be after-training support to ensure that the benefits of the knowledge gained during the training sessions are consolidated thereafter," explains Smith.
The benefits of receiving training in PLC products translate for the individual into increased employment opportunities. Electricians are starting to need exposure to this crucial area. From the businesses’ point of view, technology has got to the point where it is becoming difficult to separate the purely mechanical or electrical. PLCs are also coming to the fore as a tool for reducing the downtime associated with resolving breakdowns.
"Elquip has an excellent range of products, but for industry to maximise the benefits of using our equipment skills need to be developed to ensure that product functionality is used with optimum effectiveness. We want to offer the support as well as a reliable product," concludes Cronin.
For more information contact Mike Cronin, Elquip Solutions, +27 (0)11 826 7117, [email protected], www.elquip.co.za
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