The first training centre for hydraulics in the South West of England has just been accredited by Seawork supporting association the British Fluid Power Association (BFPA), the UK trade association for the fluid power industry.
Part-funded by the European Social Fund, the Armada Engineering Skills Academy has been developed in partnership with Cornwall Marine Network by Armada Engineering, a marine engineering company based in Falmouth in Cornwall, specialising in advanced engineering and hydraulics for the marine industry. The company also has an engineering centre in Barcelona in Spain to service superyachts in the Mediterranean.
Managing Director Joff Collins says: “There is a skills shortage in engineering across the UK and we want to help boost engineering skills. This will help enable our region to cement a position at the forefront of marine technology, an area where we already excel. Our new training centre in Falmouth is the only place in the South West to offer this accredited foundation course in hydraulics. Up until now, people would have needed to travel a significant distance for equivalent training.”
“We are planning to continue to expand our training centre with a range of new courses, including a follow on level in hydraulics and a new apprenticeship programme. We are committed to building engineering skills in the region, so that the South West of England can continue to build its reputation as a world leader in marine technology.”
Paul Wickes, Chief Executive of Cornwall Marine Network says: “Hydraulics is a vital skill for marine engineering. We are delighted to see Armada launching this new BFPA training centre in Cornwall. This makes hydraulics training more accessible for people and companies wanting to develop. Unlike most other industries, the hydraulic industry has no minimum qualification requirements. So, the purpose of the course and BFPA qualification is to establish an industry standard for training. This will ultimately increase knowledge and safety, enabling the full potential of this vital technology to be realised.”
The British Fluid Power Association (BFPA) is the only UK and Ireland trade association for the hydraulic and pneumatic industries, with over 250 members, ranging from the largest multinational to the smallest distributor and encompassing manufacturers, importers and resellers of hydraulic, pneumatic and motion control equipment as well as academics, trainers, and end-users. BFPA offers many services including technical standards development, publications, training, events, the BFPA Approved Hose Assemblies Scheme and industry representation. The BFPA has for many years been passionate about raising standards within the fluid power market and industry as a whole.
