Mining companies in Botswana and Zambia have approached hydraulic training company Hydraulic Training & Consultants to train employees in the mainte- nance and design of hydraulic systems, says Hydraulic Training & Consultants MD Walter Zimmerman.

He points out that the company has trained employees from several mines in South Africa, sometimes providing in-house training on the specific hydraulic systems of the mines. However, many of the company’s customers comprise mining equipment manufacturers and distributors such as mining machinery supplier GHH Mining and mining equipment manufacturer and supplier Komatsu.

Hydraulic Training & Consultants offers a three-day basic to intermediate hydraulic course and a four-day advanced course in hydraulic systems.

Zimmerman, who has been providing technical hydraulic training for 41 years, says one of the challenges is that people in industry do not have a good command and under- standing of the basics of hydraulic systems and their applications.

He explains that the three-day hydraulic course is targeted at the artisan to the engineer and newcomers to the hydraulics field. It concentrates on the basic principles of hydraulics, the different components involved and their applications, as well as training in the basic formulas and calculations necessary for hydraulic systems.

Customers will also learn how to read and understand hydraulic circuits and receive manuals that will provide a logical troubleshooting approach to the maintenance and repair of a hydraulic system.

The advanced course, building on the basic skills acquired from the introduc- tory course, focuses on system design and is aimed at technicians and engineers.

Although customers may not be involved in system design the course design exercises assists in improving their knowledge and understanding of the application of hydraulic systems, says Zimmerman.

“Safety is another focus of our courses and the company uses a video that is designed to shock customers into the proper and safe use of hydraulic equipment,” he adds.

Hydraulic Training & Consultants’ training material comes predominantly from the US with some from the UK. The company uses slides, animations and about 12 videos to further customers’ knowledge of hydraulics.

Industry Skills Shortage

Zimmerman says there is a skills shortage in general engineering experience across all industries, whether at artisan, technical or engineering level. He attributes this to the shortage of experienced personnel to pass on their knowledge and a lack of quality education, from primary school level to tertiary level.

Although companies often approach Hydraulic Training & Consultants, Zimmerman notes that there are more people enrolling for the courses in their private capacity to improve their skills.

“For example, a qualified diesel mechanic will enrol in the courses to get the job he or she wants. This individual is willing to invest in him- or herself to gain the knowledge of the interface between mobile equipment, diesel engines and hydraulics,” he says.

Zimmerman told Mining Weekly in September last year that he was concerned about the shortage of suitably qualified graduates entering the hydraulics industry.