Training Skills Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

08/04/2025 Comment: The importance of CPD I hope that you enjoy reading this edition of Operations Engineer, and don’t forget to record any learnings gained in your Continued Professional Development (CPD) log. Recording CPD is a fundamental part of being a professionally ... » Read More

08/04/2025 Embrace equality, diversity and inclusion Zurich Engineering’s organisation culture has benefitted from completing the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Inclusive Leadership Programme. Senior engineer Daniel Meekin explains more » Read More

04/02/2025 Train and gain When it comes to environmental spillage and incident management, the importance of training knows no bounds. Brian Wall reports » Read More

09/01/2025 Comment: The power of mentorship Are you at an early stage in your career and need some guidance on how to advance? Or have you ever been faced with a task or challenge that you just do not know how to tackle? If so, you would benefit from having a mentor. » Read More

09/01/2025 Total recall A tech entrepreneur tells Louise Davis how his firm is bringing training out of the classroom and into the virtual world in a bid to deliver engaged engineers who remember what they have been taught » Read More

07/11/2024 GAP analysis With the industry facing a chronic shortage of skilled facilities engineers, the areas of talent attraction, training and upskilling have never been more important. Brian Wall checks out the current state of play and what solutions or ... » Read More

02/10/2024 Shortage solutions Ben Warren, team leader of SPP Pumps’ Future Cell training programme, looks at how considered and well-invested training programmes can overcome the skills shortage and provide engineering opportunities to both apprentices and existing ... » Read More

02/10/2024 Comment: Embracing the AI revolution In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into engineering education stands as a monumental shift. This transformation is not merely about adopting new tools; it’s about ... » Read More

02/07/2024 Comment: Set the right standards There is a growing need to understand which members of the SOE are involved in the generation of national and international standards, with the aim of establishing – through the joint sector chairs – a working standards panel. The panel ... » Read More

08/01/2024 Proving driver competency On the back of continuing incidents involving on- and off-road plant vehicles, new driver training is being brought in to prove drivers can do the job, reports Tom Austin-Morgan » Read More

08/08/2023 Cyber round-up ?Cyber attacks resulting from vulnerabilities within the supply chain can result in devastating, expensive and long-term ramifications for affected organisations, their supply chains and their customers. But despite these risks, many ... » Read More

31/05/2023 IMI's e-forklift engineering qualifications Forklift trucks with electric drive units are becoming increasingly popular, but does the sector have enough trained maintenance technicians to work on these high-voltage vehicles? » Read More

29/03/2023 What good looks like There is a new standard for the qualification and certification of NDT personnel. So, what has changed and what does accreditation look like now, asks Steed Webzell. » Read More

19/12/2022 Be careful out there As the UK heads into recession, engineer surveyors need to remain vigilant. It’s not just households that will be under strain, but businesses as well. Any cutbacks may affect their maintenance and staffing levels, and how frequently they ... » Read More

25/06/2021 Learning how to interpret a vibration signal from rotating machinery Vibration analysis is a powerful way of looking at rotating machinery, not just for one-off diagnosis of a problem but for ongoing machine condition monitoring. There are recognised routes to learn how to do this. By Toby Clark » Read More

10/08/2020 No more clouds over cyber security Leading experts in cyber security have produced an authoritative guide that could help factories and process plants better protect their resources. Steed Webzell spoke to the guide’s project lead to find out more » Read More

11/05/2020 Don’t slip up on lubrication Operatives and engineers must have the relevant knowledge and skills to perform lubrication. That is why comprehensive training is so vital » Read More

13/04/2020 Pop culture AG Barr’s factory in Milton Keynes, UK, has worked with consultancy firm MCP to provide shopfloor staff with basic maintenance skills. Enter the ECO warriors » Read More

06/04/2020 Looking through the training window Companies across industry are starting to introduce virtual reality and augmented reality training into the workplace. This is providing operators and engineers with the opportunity to hone their skills and learn relevant safety protocols ... » Read More

05/02/2020 Staying focused There are a wide range of infrared training courses on the market, from general introductions to specialist and sector-specific instruction » Read More

08/01/2020 Comment: More of the same As we enter a new year, it’s a good time to reflect on 2019. So many major events have taken place, from the political turmoil that has gripped the UK, to mass environmental protests and even severe flooding to parts of the nation. And ... » Read More

07/10/2019 Military to civil The 2018 Engineering UK report stated a shortfall of between 83,000 and 110,000 engineers across all engineering disciplines in the UK. Are technically trained service leavers part of the solution? » Read More

03/06/2019 Avoiding robo-flop Make UK launched a course last year to retrain and up-skill employees, covering the knowledge and practical skills involved with robotic and automation engineering. Commercial manager Mark Farrant, and commercial maintenance tutor Gordon ... » Read More

08/05/2019 Correct lubrication = longevity Industrial equipment can fail because of inadequate lubrication maintenance and incorrect lubrication. Getting it right, first time, every time, is therefore vital » Read More

05/02/2019 Gas Train The Industrial Gas Operations Accreditation Scheme, designed to provide an independent determination of competence for those working on large-scale gas installations, is two years old. How is it faring? » Read More