New Certifications Developed to Address Workforce Challenges

By Edgar Suarez, Manager, Technical Programs

The pump and fluid handling industry is not immune to the workforce challenges facing other industries. To address this challenge, the Hydraulic Institute and Pump Systems Matter have aligned its focus on a strategic direction to:

1. publicize the vital and important role of pumps in society and attracting talent to the industry
2. develop standardized introductory and fundamental training
3. developing fundamental level certifications.

These three initiatives provide companies focusing on the fluid handling industry with resources that they can use to attract, train, and certify employees in a standardized way. By adopting a standardized fundamental training and certification path, it not only provides clear direction to employees, but it also frees the employer to spend time developing and training their employees on their specific products and competitive advantages.

The final piece of the workforce development initiative will deliver a two-level certification program. The Hydraulic Institute has published HI 41.8 Program Guideline for Pump System Certification and is now available for free download on the HI website. The program guideline builds on the body of knowledge identified in HI 40.9 Pump Industry Fundamentals Body of Knowledge. It identifies the core learning outcomes for industry professionals and establishes the formal credentialing requirements for a Pump System Certified (PSC) Level 1 and Level 2 certification, including a standardized examination and renewal process.

The PSC Level 1 certification is for new or entry level technical and non-technical persons that is applicable to all job functions within the pump industry. It indicates that an individual understands the purpose, function, and operating characteristics of positive displacement and rotodynamic pumps and systems. Level 1 certified individuals should have the fundamental knowledge of basic pump industry calculations and tools, different liquid properties and be able to analyze their interactions with equipment and a system to make informed pump hydraulic selections. The candidate should be able to collaborate with professionals to identify equipment type, acceptable pump performance, installation and operational issues, and energy optimization opportunities.

The PSC Level 2 is for experienced technical and non-technical individuals with job functions in sales, assembly, engineering, installation, maintenance, troubleshooting, or operations. It indicates that an individual has applied knowledge of the purpose, function, and operating characteristics of positive displacement and rotodynamic pumps and systems. Level 2 certified individuals have a strong understanding of pump industry best practices, calculations, and tools to solve common pump and system operating issues. The candidate should be able to diagnose equipment, acceptable pump performance, installation, and operational issues, and identify energy optimization opportunities.

The benefit of certification is that it creates a benchmark on the core knowledge requirements for the pumping and fluid handling industry to help fill the knowledge gap created by experienced professionals retiring from the workforce. When a new employee is hired, companies have the critical task of educating and training them on the company’s processes, products, or services they deliver. However, before starting on this, the fundamentals must be known, which this certification program will support. It also provides third-party validation by the Hydraulic Institute that individuals have the knowledge, training, and experience necessary to understand and apply core pump system fundamental knowledge.

In combination with training and educational offerings developed by Pump Systems Matter and the Hydraulic Institute, the PSC Level 1 and Level 2 will set a standard of knowledge and experience and create a learning path for new professionals in the pumping and fluid handling industry. These certifications provide a standardized path for employees new to the industry, and individuals can leverage the fundamental training offerings to prepare. The fundamental nature of these certifications compliments the more specialized Pump System Assessment Professional certification that is already in place and any other future job specific or specialized certifications that are developed.

In the next phase of the certification project, the Hydraulic Institute certification committee have formed a testing subcommittee of subject matter expects who will develop, review, and approve test questions for the certification exam based on the requirements in the HI 41.8 program guideline. If you are interested in supporting the subcommittee’s efforts and want to provide input during the certification exam development phase, you can submit test questions for the subcommittee to consider.

For more information on getting involved in the certification development efforts or if you have any certification-related questions, please contact us. To download a free copy of HI 41.8 program guideline.