The FieldComm Group has announced that IDX Academy, the South African industrial communications training centre based in Johannesburg, has been successful in the rigorous certification process required to become a site that offers fieldbus training courses certified under the Foundation Fieldbus Certified Training Programme (FCTP). This programme establishes uniform standards for fieldbus end user educational curriculum around the globe, and defines acceptable levels of learning for students of the technology.
IDX Academy is the first certified Foundation fieldbus training site on the African continent. Eight engineers from Angola LNG passed the inaugural five-day course held on campus last month, with a further nine Angola LNG engineers attending the course in March. The successful students are now proficient in the installation, maintenance, repair, and trouble-shooting of Foundation fieldbus networks and systems.
The certification of IDX Academy is the first FCTP accreditation since the joining of the Fieldbus Foundation and HART Communication Foundation was completed, with the new FieldComm Group becoming operational on 1 January 2015. The opportunity to incorporate certified HART technology training is being planned alongside the current certified training centres.
The dedicated training rigs at IDX Academy utilises host systems, devices and components from several FieldComm Group members including Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Eaton/MTL, Honeywell, National Instruments, Pepperl+Fuchs, Smar, Softing, StoneL, Turck and WIKA.
IDX’s David Bean commented, “Certification is important for the IDX Academy because we are now formally recognised by the FieldComm Group as the high quality training centre that we are. Our customers expect the best and this gives them a guarantee that the content of our Foundation fieldbus courses, and the course materials, are up to date and delivered by an expert.”
The provision of a certified training centre in the African continent has been a primary objective of the FieldComm Group Southern African Marketing Committee for some time. Marc Van Pelt, FieldComm Group vice president EMEA Operations, is delighted that IDX Academy has gained its accreditation.
“I am proud that we have reached our goal of providing certified technical training and support to Foundation fieldbus users and potential users across the region and my thanks go to everyone involved throughout the comprehensive process. It was an honour to present the certificate of accreditation to David Bean and his team.”
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