The pressure on all types of industry for profitability is rapidly increasing. Management realizes that increased competence at all levels in an organization is necessary to ensure growth. The principal objective of asset management is to optimize the use of capital.

To implement best maintenance approaches, it is important to;

• Realise that its development is a combination of applied technical systems along with the competent personnel operating and maintaining them.

• Acknowledge that structured changes are required to reflect the business environment

• Recognize the importance of the involvement of all personnel at all levels for achieving business objectives

• Apply suitable tools to strive for continuously improved equipment effectiveness

• Increase involvement and integration at all levels in order to pursue cost effective maintenance within the framework of life-cycle costing

All types of industries will be faced with demands where yesterday's solutions when applied today, will not necessarily produce the margins required for economic survival. Availability, productivity, life-cycle costs and decreased operating costs are all key-factors putting more pressure on maintenance and manufacturing.

Management realizes that increased competence, co-operation and better communication at all levels in an organization leads to more effective maintenance. One of the key factors in continuous improvement is the education and training of all maintenance personnel. In view of the ongoing developments in European integration, it is obvious that this should be done within a more structured framework of mutually accepted guidelines.

A key element in maintenance is continuous improvement of the skills of the personnel in maintenance through education and training.

There is continual need to improve the overall performance of equipment through communication and teamwork:

Through work conducted by EFNMS it has been decided to segregate European maintenance personnel into three categories. These are shown in the table below.

Five years ago, the European Federation of National Maintenance Societies - EFNMS - took the initiative to develop guidelines for a European Maintenance Specialist, EMS-level C.

A European Maintenance Specialist, EMS-level C, is a craftsperson with at least two years of practical experience in maintenance and sufficient theoretical knowledge to independently perform and co-ordinate maintenance activities.

The scope of the European Certificate, EMS-level C, is to provide personnel with:

• The level of practical skills and the associated theoretical knowledge and understanding necessary to perform their principle tasks.
• Possess the necessary attitude and outlook, to fulfil their tasks under industrial conditions.
• The social skills, personal qualities and knowledge needed to function effectively as part of a team in the work environment and in the community, under rapidly changing circumstances arising from social, economic and technological developments.

For the education and training of the European Maintenance Specialist, EMS- level C, the elements listed in the table on "Requirements on a European Maintenance Specialist" are identified as essential for obtaining the predicate "European Maintenance Specialist".

• Consistency in the development of maintenance personnel
• Structured educational programmes
• Improved relationships between industry and training / educational institutions
• Focus on industrial requirements
• A common umbrella for competence requirements for all craftspersonnel (European Maintenance Specialist, EMS-level C).

For more information please contact your National Maintenance Society.

EFMNS Working group 5.

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