SKF’s latest training catalogue is a comprehensive guide to its courses – which range from basic bearings knowledge to advanced troubleshooting techniques

SKF’s catalogue of its 2017 training courses is now available – offering multiple opportunities for employees to enhance their skills.

The courses cover everything from basic knowledge of bearings, through more advanced techniques – such as bearing damage classification – to complete modules on condition-based maintenance and work control processes.

“Companies that invest time and money upgrading the skills of their employees will, in time, reap the rewards of their investment – and stay ahead of their competitors,” says Graeme Poole, SKF Training Solutions Development Manager.

Courses take place across the year in Aberdeen, Leeds and Luton – though there are also remote ‘e-learning’ and on-site training options for companies that are hard-pressed for time, or have a large group of employees to train.

SKF’s e-learning courses, which act as introductions to a particular subject, include:

  • Maintenance and reliability (five different courses);
  • Condition-based maintenance (three courses);
  • Engineering products, covering specific bearing types (six courses); and,
  • Proactive maintenance (two courses)

Its classroom courses cover similar areas, but are more in-depth: an introduction to condition monitoring is a three-day course, for instance, while ‘Category 2’ vibration analysis lasts five days. These courses include practical workshops, and can be customised for individual companies.

As an example, its one-day ‘Introduction to modern maintenance philosophies’ course covers fundamentals (such as understanding failure modes), visual inspection techniques, vibration analysis, thermal imaging and oil debris analysis.

SKF also offers specific courses for the railway industry – covering bearing theory and bearing damage – as well as training for specific products such as the SKF Microlog Inspector.

In addition to listing and explaining individual courses, the catalogue guides employers towards identifying a structured training plan. Through a client needs analysis (CNA), SKF can help to identify the exact training needs of specific employees – and match that to an improvement in company performance.