The team from BSW Timber at The Underwater Centre (left to right) - Iain MacTavish, Robert Wojcik, Colin MacKinnon (photo: The Underwater Centre)

Subsea training facility, The Underwater Centre, has introduced a new hydraulics course which will provide candidates from a wide range of industries an introduction to fluid power systems.

Hydraulics are an essential component of many industrial applications in manual and automated plant, from forestry, agriculture and marine engineering, to complex robotic and mechatronic systems.

The Underwater Centre has developed the course to give candidates an introduction to the principles of fluid mechanics and provide hands-on experience using the Centre’s new training equipment.

The course deals with the concepts and practical application of oil-powered hydraulics within industry, typically encountered by technicians. Using a range of instructional techniques, candidates will gain experience of closed-loop and open-loop systems.

Throughout the three-day course, students will learn about core concepts including: fluid principles, hydraulic symbols and notation, pressure, flow and directional control, energy storage, basic electrical theory, hose management, pressure testing and fittings and fault-finding

Steve Ham, The Underwater Centre’s Commercial Director, says, “Our own research and experience has demonstrated that in order to maintain and enhance, through further training, the position of Scottish and UK-wide industries into the 21st Century, hydraulics will play a vital role in the training portfolio of an adaptable, flexible and innovative workforce. Hydraulics Level 1 is a three day course which is delivered in a contextual environment with hands-on practical exercises using our state-of-the-art training equipment. Our candidates will come away from this course with a solid grounding in hydraulics with experience which can be utilised across all industries.”

BSW Timber, which is based just outside of Fort William, sent three maintenance technicians to take part in the inaugural Hydraulics Level 1 course, helping to reduce the costs and time which would have previously been spent on a course south of the border.

Ewen Smith, Engineering Manager at BSW says, “The feedback from the candidates we put on the course was very positive. The course was well run by knowledgeable instructors, using very up to date equipment. It’s great to be able to get good quality technical training on your doorstep and we plan to use The Underwater Centre in the future for our hydraulic training requirements.”

With accommodation and additional classrooms based at the landward end of the pier, The Underwater Centre is set up to provide its students with the skills and experience to succeed in their new careers, and continue providing the subsea industry with the workforce that it needs.

Tags: The Underwater Centre